What Happens In A Driving Test?

Nothing quite terrifies learner drivers as much as having to take the driving test. Even sitting behind the wheel for the first time pales in comparison to the prospect of a driving examiner watching your every move. Indeed, test day nerves are one of the biggest reasons why learners end up failing their test. Of course, as with anything else in life, once you actually know what to expect, it's nowhere near as scary. Leo Driving School is well aware of this, which is why we've decided to break down exactly what happens in a driving test.

In this guide, we'll take you through the driving test from start to finish, clearing up any doubts you may have and helping to set your mind at ease. By the end of our guide, you'll know the structure of the test like the back of your hand!

What will happen on the day of my driving test?

Before your test

So, you're finally ready to take your driving test—or, at least, your instructor tells you that you're ready. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of things, you'll want to read up on what to expect before and after your driving test. If you're short on time, here's a quick summary of what you need to do before you head off for your test:

Make sure you've got your provisional licence (you won't be able to take your test without it!).
Bring your theory test pass certificate in case the examiner wants to check it.
Bring your instructor's car (or your own) and decide whether you want your instructor to sit in with you.
Follow our top 10 tips to relax before your practical.

Waiting around

It's advisable that you arrive at your chosen test centre around 10 minutes before your test is due to start. Though it might seem obvious, you should triple-check the date, time, and location of your driving test. You will not get a refund if you end up showing up at the wrong test centre.

While you'll want to set off early, just in case you get stuck in traffic, it's important that you don't arrive too early. If you do, you could end up getting in the way of other candidates taking their driving test.

Once you arrive at your test centre, you and your instructor will head to the waiting room. Your driving examiner will show up shortly and ask you to sign a couple of forms before you head outside. You'll likely partake in a bit of small talk with the examiner before the driving test begins.

The structure of the driving test

Now onto the interesting part! Though the driving test is a source of frustration and fear for many learners, it's actually quite straightforward, at least in terms of structure. Once you've left the waiting area, the examiner will briefly explain what's about to unfold.

The driving test itself is split into five simple sections:

An eyesight test
The 'show me, tell me' questions
General driving ability
A reversing manoeuvre
Independent driving

Phew! It doesn't seem half as bad now, does it? If your answer is still yes, don't worry. You'll soon change your mind once we've broken down each section for you!

1. The eyesight test

The driving test will officially begin with a quick eyesight test. The examiner will take you out of the test centre car park and ask you to read a number plate from 20 metres away (roughly 5 parked cars away from you), or 20.5 metres if it's an old-style number plate.

As a driver, you need to have adequate eyesight to spot potential hazards, read road signs, and much more. After all, if your eyesight isn't up to scratch, you could cause a serious accident on the road. If you can't read the plate, the examiner will automatically terminate your test.

If you need glasses or contact lenses when you drive, it’s vital that you remember them. Additionally, if you put on glasses for the eyesight test, you must wear them for the entire driving test. If you take them off, the examiner will terminate the test.

Please note: You could fail your practical test if you're unable to prove you have sufficient eyesight for driving. Make sure you don't get caught out by reading up on the eyesight rules for drivers!

2. Show me, tell me questions

Next on the agenda is the 'show me, tell me' section. You should have revised these questions by yourself and with your instructor well before your driving test. You will only be asked two questions in total: one 'show me' question and one 'tell me' question.

The examiner will ask you a 'tell me' safety check question before you actually start driving. Think of it as a warm-up before you get stuck into the driving part of the test! Testing your multitasking skills, the 'show me' question will be saved for when you're actually driving.

Not entirely familiar with the 'show me, tell me' questions? Here's a quick run-through of all the potential questions that could crop up on your test. If you want to revise this section, head on over to our guide to the 'show me, tell me' section.

Tell me questions (before you set off)

How would you check that your brakes are working before starting a journey?
Where would you find information for your car's recommended tyre pressures and how they should be checked?
How would you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted to provide protection in the event of an accident?
How would you check that your tyres have sufficient tread depth and are in good condition?
How would you check that your car's headlights and tail lights are working?
How would you know if there was an issue with your anti-lock braking system (ABS)?
How would you check that your car's direction indicators are working?
How would you check that your car's brake lights are working?
How would you check that the power-assisted steering is working before setting off?
How would you switch on the rear fog light(s) and when would you need to?
How would you turn your headlights from dipped to main beam and how would you know when the main beam is on?
Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient oil.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient coolant.
Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Show me questions (whilst you're driving)

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would wash and clean your rear windscreen?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would wash and clean your front windscreen?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would switch on the rear demister?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would operate the car horn?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would demist the front windscreen?
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would open and close the side window?

Don’t worry if you're a bit shaky with the questions—if you get one or both wrong, it will only count as a minor driving fault.

3. General driving ability

Now we're getting to the more challenging part of the test: the driving itself. Overall, though, this section shouldn't be much different from when you're driving with your instructor or taking a mock test. While it can be daunting having a driving examiner peering over your shoulder, they're not going out of their way to fail you.

The examiner will direct you out of the test centre and take you on a test route that will contain a variety of road types and traffic conditions. It will last around 20 minutes. Features you can expect include:

Urban and residential areas: Moving from one to the other will test your ability to adapt to changes in speed and traffic conditions.
Junctions: From roundabouts to crossroads to T-junctions, the examiner will be keeping an eye on your observation skills.
Dual carriageways: Testing your ability to adapt to high-speed situations. Motorways will not feature on your test.

The entire point of this section is to ensure that you're a safe driver who is aware of the rules of the road and does not pose a threat to other road users. During this section, the examiner will ask you to pull over at least twice. You will be expected to pull over and move off from the side of the road, and you may also be asked to complete a hill start and move off from behind a parked vehicle.

The emergency stop

The examiner might ask you to demonstrate an emergency stop during this section. 1 in 3 candidates are asked, so you should make sure you're familiar with the procedure, just in case. You will be given some warning prior to the examiner asking you to complete the emergency stop. It will sound something like this:

“In a short while, I will ask you to demonstrate an emergency stop. I will give you the signal, 'stop', and raise my hand. When you see this, you will need to stop as quickly and as safely as you can. You don't need to worry about looking around; I will ensure it is safe to carry out the manoeuvre before asking you. Do you understand?”

If you're not entirely comfortable or familiar with the procedure, you can get the full lowdown in our guide to the emergency stop. Alternatively, if you want to put your reflexes to the test, try out the Leo Driving School emergency stop game.

Forget your nerves

Whilst it's natural to be nervous with the examiner watching your every move, try to shrug it off as best you can. Examiners know full well that learners will be more nervous during the driving test than they would be when driving with their instructor or unsupervised. They won't hold it against you too much if you make a silly mistake here and there.

Moreover, even if you’re convinced you’ve failed during your driving test, you won’t actually know until you get back to the test centre. So, keep calm and try to tackle the general driving section as you would with your instructor.

4. Reversing manoeuvres

Ah, driving test manoeuvres. Nothing quite sparks as much dread as this particular section of the driving test. Unfortunately, no matter how much you dislike carrying out manoeuvres, the driving examiner will still ask you to demonstrate one during the general driving section.

There are three reversing manoeuvres in total. Here's a brief overview of each one:

Manoeuvre #1: Pulling up on the right

Description: You'll be expected to pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse back for 2 car lengths, and then rejoin traffic.

Example instructions: "I'd like you to pull up on the right when it's safe to do so. Then, reverse back for 2 car lengths, keeping close to the kerb."

Manoeuvre #2: Bay parking (forward or reverse)

Description: You'll be asked to either drive in and reverse out of a parking bay (forward bay parking), or reverse in and drive out of a parking bay (reverse bay parking).

Example instructions: Forward bay parking: "I'd like you to pick a parking bay to drive into. Once you've done so, reverse out and continue on."
Reverse bay parking: "I'd like you to pick a parking bay to reverse into. Once you've done so, drive out and continue on."

Manoeuvre #3: Parallel parking

Description: You'll be asked to park your vehicle parallel to the road, typically in a line of other parked vehicles.

Example instructions: "I'd like you to stop before we reach the next parked car. Then, drive and stop next to the car ahead. Once you're ready, reverse into the spot behind the car and park parallel with the kerb."

5. Independent driving

We're almost at the finish line now. Once you've finished the general driving section, you'll move onto independent driving. This section will last around 20 minutes. During this time, you will be expected to drive while following directions from a sat nav—with a route pre-determined by the examiner. One in five learners will be asked to follow the traffic signs for a specific location instead.

Back at the test centre

The route will eventually lead you back to the test centre. Once you get there, you'll be asked to park—in any spot—and stop the car. The examiner will then take a few minutes to complete their feedback sheet and tally up any driving test faults you may have accumulated. If you have no major faults and fewer than 15 minor faults, you will have passed your test. If you fail, don't discard the feedback sheet in a fit of frustration. The advice provided will be instrumental in helping you pass next time around.

FAQs

Can I take the driving test in my own car?
Yes! However, there are a few conditions. Firstly, you need to ensure your car meets the DVSA's strict requirements. For more details, check our guide to taking the practical test in your own car. You will also need to have insurance cover in place for the test.
How can I book my driving test?
You can book through the DVSA's test booking service. Alternatively, to speed up the process and avoid long waiting times, you can get Leo Driving School to book you a fast-track practical test!
Is it easier to pass in manual or automatic transmission?
If you compare manual versus automatic pass rates, you'll notice that pass rates tend to be higher for manual tests. That said, the driving test ultimately depends on your own ability, so you shouldn't base your decision solely on pass rates when choosing which transmission to learn with.
Can I refuse to demonstrate a manoeuvre?
Technically, yes, you could refuse. However, if you actually want to pass, you cannot refuse to demonstrate a driving test manoeuvre. If you do, the examiner has the right to terminate the test. You can take your time when demonstrating a manoeuvre (within reason), so just relax and approach it step by step. It's not as difficult as it might seem!
Could I fail for not answering the 'show me, tell me' questions correctly?
No! If you get one or both 'show me, tell me' questions wrong, the examiner will mark it as a minor fault. However, don't skip revising them, as minor faults can add up quickly, and if you accumulate too many, you will fail.
Do driving examiners have a pass/fail quota?
Contrary to some driving test myths, examiners do not have a pass or fail quota. Think about it—if they failed you intentionally, they'd just have to watch you come back for another test soon! Examiners already have plenty of learners to assess, so they won’t intentionally add to their workload.
I'm really dreading my driving test. What can I do?
Start by reminding yourself that your driving instructor wouldn't let you take the practical test if they didn’t think you were ready. If that’s not enough to ease your nerves, check out our step-by-step guide to avoiding test day anxiety.
Am I too old to pass the driving test?
No! While younger drivers may have an advantage when it comes to the driving test, that doesn’t mean older drivers can’t succeed. If you work hard enough, it will pay off in the end. Not convinced? Read our article on why age doesn’t matter when taking the driving test.
How long is the driving test?
The driving test lasts around 40 minutes in total. The general driving section lasts about 20 minutes, as does the independent driving section. If you get stuck in traffic, the examiner will likely shorten the route to ensure you return to the test centre within the set timeframe, as they have other tests scheduled after yours.
When do I get my full driving licence?
Once you've passed your driving test, you'll hand your provisional licence to the examiner, who will send off for your full driving licence. You should receive it in the post within 3 weeks. Don’t worry, you can start driving as soon as you pass, even if your full licence hasn’t arrived yet!
Can I drive home after passing the test?
Technically, yes. However, since you're no longer a learner driver, you will need to ensure you have full car insurance in place to drive. If you're driving your own car, you'll need to have insurance set up before you can drive. To make things simpler, we recommend letting your instructor drive you home, so you don't need to worry about insurance!
What happens if I fail my driving test?
If you fail, you'll need to wait 10 working days before you can take your next practical test. After that, you can take the test whenever you're ready. Before getting back behind the wheel, we'd recommend reading our guide on what to do when you fail your test for some useful tips.
How many times can I retake the driving test?
As many times as you need! There’s no limit on the number of attempts, so theoretically, you could take hundreds of driving tests. However, if you’re approaching your third or fourth attempt, we’d recommend taking a refresher course to help you eliminate bad habits and improve your chances of passing.
What happens after I pass my driving test?
What you do next depends entirely on you! You may want to take a Pass Plus course to improve your skills and confidence. Alternatively, you could start looking into buying your own car. If you’re not sure what your next steps should be, have a look at our guide to what happens after you pass your driving test.
What happens if my driving test is cancelled?
If your driving test is cancelled after you’ve arrived at the test centre, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket expenses, depending on whether the cancellation was on short notice and the reason behind it. You can find out more in our article on how to claim for a driving test cancellation.
I don't agree with the examiner. Can I appeal my result?
Yes, you can appeal your result if you feel the examiner was unfair or biased. However, even if the DVLA agrees with you, you will only be entitled to a free retest. The result of your test will not be changed.
Should I take my driving instructor on my driving test?
It’s entirely up to you. No one will force you to have your driving instructor present during your test. If you’d prefer not to have them with you, they can wait at the test centre. On the other hand, if you find their presence comforting, it can create a more relaxing atmosphere. Make sure you let your instructor know well in advance of your test date.
Will I fail the driving test if I stall?
It depends on the situation. If you stall and respond poorly—panicking or endangering other road users—you will likely get a major fault. However, if you remain calm, restart the car, make the necessary observations, and continue driving, it will only be marked as a minor fault.