Driving Test Information
Understand what happens during the UK practical driving test, including the eyesight check, vehicle-safety questions, general driving, reversing exercises and independent driving.
What Is the Practical Driving Test?
The practical driving test is designed to assess whether you can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions and whether you understand and can apply the rules of The Highway Code.
The test is the same whether you take it in a manual or automatic car. Your examiner will assess your overall standard of driving, including your observations, control, planning, positioning, judgement and response to other road users.
Making a mistake does not always mean that you have failed. You can continue unless the examiner believes your driving presents a danger to you or other road users.
What Happens During the Test?
Your practical driving test is divided into several important stages.
Eyesight Check
Before the driving section begins, you will be asked to read a number plate on a parked vehicle.
- You must read a new-style number plate from 20 metres.
- For an old-style number plate, the required distance is 20.5 metres.
- New-style number plates begin with two letters followed by two numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
- You may wear glasses or contact lenses if you need them.
If you cannot pass the eyesight check, the test will end and you will fail.
“Show Me, Tell Me” Questions
The examiner will ask two vehicle-safety questions during your driving test.
Before You Start Driving
You will explain how you would carry out a vehicle-safety task. For example, you may be asked how you would check the brakes before starting a journey.
While You Are Driving
You will demonstrate how to operate a control safely while driving, such as washing the windscreen using the vehicle’s controls and wipers.
You will normally receive one driving fault—often called a minor—if you answer one or both questions incorrectly. You could receive a serious fault if you lose control while answering the “show me” question.
General Driving Ability
You will drive in different road and traffic conditions. The route will not include motorways.
Throughout this section, the examiner will assess whether you maintain an overall safe standard of driving.
The examiner may also ask you to carry out an emergency stop. The emergency stop is not included in every driving test.
Reversing Exercise
Your examiner will ask you to complete one of the following three reversing exercises.
Parallel Parking
Parallel park safely at the side of the road while maintaining effective observations and vehicle control.
Bay Parking
Either drive into a parking bay and reverse out, or reverse into a parking bay and drive out. Your examiner will tell you which method to use.
Pull Up on the Right
Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around two car lengths and safely rejoin the traffic.
Independent Driving
You will drive independently for approximately 20 to 35 minutes. Your examiner will ask you to follow:
- Directions from a sat nav
- Traffic signs
- A combination of sat-nav directions and traffic signs
Using the Sat Nav
The examiner will supply and set up the sat nav. You cannot use your own sat nav during the test.
You can ask the examiner to confirm a direction if you are unsure. You will not receive a fault simply for taking a wrong turning, but you may receive a fault if you make a driving error while doing so.
What Happens During the Driving Test?
Watch this practical driving-test video to become more familiar with the test process and the standard expected from candidates.
- Understand the examiner’s instructions
- See how different test sections are conducted
- Learn what to expect before test day
- Reduce nerves through better preparation
Practical Driving Test Cost
These are the official car driving-test fees when booking through GOV.UK.
Monday to Friday
The standard practical car driving-test fee for an available weekday appointment before 4:30pm.
Evening, Weekend or Bank Holiday
This fee applies to evening appointments from 4:30pm, weekends and bank holidays when these appointments are available.
Use the Official GOV.UK Booking Service
Unofficial booking websites may charge more than the official driving-test fee. Book directly through GOV.UK whenever possible.
Prepare for Your Practical Test
Good preparation helps reduce nerves and allows you to concentrate on demonstrating safe, independent driving.
Bring your UK driving licence
Wear glasses or contact lenses if required for driving
Practise the “show me, tell me” questions
Practise all three reversing exercises
Build confidence following sat-nav directions and road signs
Confirm your test time, location and vehicle arrangements
Frequently Asked Questions
The normal on-road car driving test lasts around 35 minutes. Extended tests for disqualified drivers take longer.
If you cannot read the number plate at the required distance, the test will end and you will fail.
You will normally receive one driving fault if you answer one or both “show me, tell me” questions incorrectly. You could receive a serious fault if you lose control while answering the “show me” question.
No. If the independent-driving section uses a sat nav, the examiner will supply and set it up for you.
You will not receive a fault simply for taking a wrong turning. You can only be marked for a driving fault you make while taking the wrong route.
You may be asked to complete an emergency stop, but it is not included in every practical driving test.
A practical car test costs £62 on weekdays. Evening, weekend and bank-holiday appointments cost £75 when available.
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