Knowing the format removes half the fear
Test-day nerves are partly fear of the unknown. GOV.UK sets out exactly what happens, and knowing it helps. This article summarises the DVSA guidance on what happens during the car driving test in Great Britain. Northern Ireland tests are run by a different agency and are not covered. It describes the standard test; adjustments are available for candidates who need them, covered in our guide on extra support.
The four parts
According to GOV.UK, there are four parts: an eyesight check, ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions, general driving ability including independent driving, and reversing. The test is the same for manual and automatic cars. You will drive for around 35 minutes, or around 65 minutes if you are taking an extended test because you have been banned from driving.
Part one: the eyesight check
You read a number plate from 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate, or 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style plate. New-style plates start with two letters followed by two numbers, such as AB51 ABC. If you fail the eyesight check you fail the driving test, and the test ends. GOV.UK says candidates with reading difficulties can write the plate down instead of reading it aloud.
Part two: show me, tell me
You will be asked two vehicle safety questions. The ‘tell me’ question comes at the start, before you start driving, and the ‘show me’ question comes while you are driving. Practice questions are available through GOV.UK, and our guide on the topic explains how instructors teach them.
Part three: general driving and independent driving
You will drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways. You will drive independently for 20 to 35 minutes, following either directions from a sat nav, traffic signs, or a combination of both, and the examiner will tell you which. The examiner sets up the sat nav for you, and you cannot use your own. If you cannot see a traffic sign, for example because it is covered by trees, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one. If you take a wrong turning, you will not be given a fault for that, and the examiner will help you back on the route.
When you are not following a sat nav or signs, the examiner will give you turn-by-turn directions. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them beforehand. You will also be asked to pull over and pull away, including a normal stop at the side of the road, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle and a hill start, and you might be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
Part four: reversing
The examiner will ask you to do one of three exercises: parallel park at the side of the road; park in a bay, either driving in and reversing out or reversing in and driving out, with the examiner telling you which; or pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around two car lengths and rejoin the traffic.
Mistakes, observers and who can be present
GOV.UK says you can carry on if you make a mistake, and it might not affect your result if it is not serious. The examiner will stop the test only if they think your driving is a danger to other road users. Your examiner’s supervisor might sit in to watch the examiner’s performance, and if you refuse your test can be cancelled and you will have to book and pay again.
The examiner will also ask if you want someone to sit in the back during the test, or to be with you for the result and feedback. This will usually be your driving instructor, but you can take a relative or friend, who cannot take any part in the test, must be over 16 and must follow the rules about observing tests.
Using this to prepare
Ask your instructor to practise independent driving with a sat nav and with traffic signs, since you will not know which you will get. Practise a wrong turning recovery calmly rather than panicking, since the guidance says it does not itself earn a fault. Rehearse all three reversing options. Learn how your instructor’s mock tests compare with this format, and check the current fee and booking rules on GOV.UK, as those change. The examples are only a guide, and nothing here replaces the national standard for driving cars, which GOV.UK says lists everything you must be able to do to pass.
The bottom line
The car test has four parts: an eyesight check, two show me, tell me questions, general driving with 20 to 35 minutes of independent driving following a sat nav or signs, and one reversing exercise. It lasts about 35 minutes, the examiner sets up the sat nav, and a wrong turn does not itself earn a fault. Practise both independent-driving methods and all three reversing exercises before your test.
Sources
- GOV.UK (DVSA), “Driving test: cars, What happens during the test”
- GOV.UK (DVSA), “Driving test: cars, If you have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty”
- GOV.UK (DVSA), “Driving test: cars, Booking your test”