The Car Driving test
There are 4 parts to the driving test:
an eyesight check
‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
general driving ability (including independent driving)
reversing your vehicle
The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.
How long the test lasts
You’ll drive for around 35 minutes.
You’ll drive for around 65 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.
Eyesight check
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:
20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
‘Show me, tell me’ questions
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
‘show me’ question while you’re driving
Your general driving ability (including independent driving)
You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
You’ll drive independently for 20 to 35 minutes. You’ll need to follow either:
directions from a sat nav
traffic signs
a combination of both
The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.
The examiner will also set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.
If you cannot see traffic signs
If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
Going off the route
The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.
They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.
If you’re not following a sat nav or traffic signs
The examiner will give you turn-by-turn directions to follow at any time when you’re not following directions from a sat nav or traffic signs.
Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.
Pulling over at the side of the road
You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:
a normal stop at the side of the road
pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
a hill start
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
Reversing your vehicle
The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:
parallel park at the side of the road
park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
If you make mistakes during your test
You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.
Your driving examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.
Other people at your test
Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.
Your driving examiner will ask if you want someone to:
sit in the back of the car during the test
be with you for the result and feedback
This will usually be your driving instructor, but you can take a relative or friend. They cannot take any part in the test.
They must:
be over 16
follow the rules about observing tests
Driving test faults and your result
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
a serious fault - something potentially dangerous
a driving fault - this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault
Pass mark
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)
When you pass your test
The examiner will:
tell you what faults you made, if any
give you a pass certificate
ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this
Apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test if you do not want to get your licence automatically.
When you can start driving
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
If your test is cancelled or there's bad weather
Your driving test can be cancelled or stopped because of bad weather, problems with your car, or for other reasons.
Bad weather
Driving tests are not carried out in dangerous weather conditions, such as when the roads are icy or if there’s flooding, thick fog or high winds.
Call your test centre if there are any of these conditions on the day of your test.
The phone number for the test centre is on your booking confirmation email.
If your test cannot go ahead
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will:
automatically book the next available date for your test
send you the details within 3 working days - it can take up to 7 days if there’s a long period of bad weather
You can change the date you’re given if it’s not suitable.
You cannot claim for any out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled because of bad weather.
Problems with you or your car
You’ll have to book another test and pay again if your test cannot be completed because of a problem with:
you, for example, if you feel unwell while taking your test
your car, for example, if it breaks down during the test or does not meet the rules to be used
If your test is cancelled for another reason
Sometimes DVSA has to cancel tests for other reasons, for example, if the examiner is unwell.
You’ll be sent a new date for your test if this happens. You can change the date if it’s not suitable.
You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA cancels your test at short notice.
If you have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty
When you book your driving test you should say if you have a:
disability
health condition
learning difficulty
You’ll still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments for your situation.
You have a disability
You’ll have time with the examiner once you start the test to talk about:
your disability
any adaptations fitted to your car
They might also agree for you to have more time for instructions and directions during your test.
You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment
The examiner will use written notes at the start of the test to explain what will happen. If you lip read, they’ll also look at you so you can lip read what they’re saying.
The examiner will usually give directions to you as hand signals. These will be explained to you before your test starts.
Using a sign language interpreter
You can take a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter with you. They must be at least 16 years old.
Your driving instructor can be your interpreter.
You need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge. You can claim the cost back after your test.
You’re pregnant
You can take a driving test at any stage of your pregnancy. However, you must be able and willing to do an emergency stop.
You have reading difficulties
When you do the eyesight check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud.
You have learning difficulties
The examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test if you have learning difficulties.
They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of directions from a sat nav.
The below video gives a very good overview of the practical driving test but refers to the independent driving phase lasting for 20 minutes. This is incorrect. The driving test format changed in November 2025.
Please note independent driving for the driving test format now lasts between 20 to 35 minutes.
Source YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dZRbU2MiDk
