Before attending your driving test ensure that you have your provisional licence and you theory test pass certificate with you when you arrive for your test. If you have completed a driver’s record you can also bring it with you.

Check that you have signed your license.

If you have a full driving licence which was issued in another country but isn't eligible for exchange for a GB Licence, you must apply for, and bring with you, a GB provisional licence. For information see DVLA information sheet D100

Your examiner will not be able to conduct the test if you cannot produce one of these licences.

If you have a photo licence you must bring with you the counterpart, which is part of the licence.

All documents must be original - DSA cannot accept photocopies.

Photo identity
If your licence does not show your photograph you must also bring with you a form of photographic identification. For this your examiner will accept a valid passport.

When applying for your provision licence a photograph of yourself, which has been signed and dated on the back by an acceptable person, confirming that the photograph is a true likeness of you. A signature will be accepted from the following:

1. Approved Driving Instructor
2. DSA certified motorcycle instructor
3. Member of Parliament
4. Local authority councillor
5. Teacher (qualified)
6. Justice of the Peace
7. Civil servant (established)
8. Police officer
9. Bank official
10. Minister of religion
11. Barrister or solicitor

Your test will be cancelled if you cannot provide one of these forms of identification

EYESIGHT TEST

Before you enter your vehicle the examiner will give you an eye test, you must prove to the examiner that in good daylight, you can read a number plate with letters 79.4 mm height at a minimum of 20.5 m (67 feet). Number plates with a thinner font, typically those introduced after 2001 should be read from at least 20 metres (66 feet)

You may wear glasses or contact lenses to read the number plate, however you must insure you always wear them when you are driving in the future.

The purpose of the practical Driving Test is to find out whether you can drive safely, without supervision on the roads.

You will not pass unless you can show the examiner that you have the ability to do this.

Once you have passed your Theory Test you should discuss with your instructor about when you should apply for a Practical Test.

The Practical Driving Test is relatively straightforward. It lasts approximately 40 minutes and is conducted from your local driving test centre by a DSA examiner.

Test routes are designed to be as uniformed as possible and include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.

Your local Driving Instructor can help with your test application                                                                                                             

Show Me / Tell Me

Vehicle safety checks have always been part of the officially recommended syllabus for learning to drive.

The source material can be found in the DSA publication 'Driving the essential skills' and 'The official DSA driving test'. Advice and information on how to carry out vehicle safety checks can also be found in the manufacturer's handbook.

Practical Test Info

Checks before Starting The Engine

The examiner will expect you to:

1. Make sure all the doors are closed.

2. Ensure your seat and head restraint are properly adjusted.

3. Check your mirrors are properly adjusted.

4. Fasten your seatbelt.

 The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.  Make sure the hand brake is on and the gearstick is in neutral.

Using the Controls

The examiner will expect you to:

1. Use the controls smoothly and correctly.

2.      Understand the function of the main controls.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1. Balance the accelerator and clutch to move away smoothly

2.Accelerate evenly.

3. Avoid stalling the car.

4.Choose the right gear and change in good time before a hazard.

5. Brake gently and in good time.

6. Know how and when to apply the hand brake.

7.Hold the steering wheel at either the ten-to-two or quarter-to-three position.

8.Steer at the correct time and smoothly.

9.Understand the minor controls, such as lights, indicators, windscreen wipers and de-misters.

10.  Know the meaning of displays on the instrument panel, such as warning lights and speedometer.

Moving off

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Move off safely and under control on a level road, from behind a parked vehicle and on a gradient, where practical.

 The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Use the MSM routine.

2.      Check your blind spots for traffic and pedestrians.

3.      Make balanced use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.

4.      Use the appropriate gear.

 The Emergency Stop

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Stop the car promptly.

2.      Keep the car under control without locking the wheels.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.Stop the car in the shortest possible distance.

2. Stop the car without endangering other road users.

 Road junctions, including roundabouts

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Use the MSM routine.

2.      Position correctly and adjust your speed.

3.      Choose the correct lane where there are lane markings and in a one-way street.

4.      Watch out for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

5.      Take effective observations.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Read Stop signs, Give Way signs, etc, accurately.

2.      Assess the speed of traffic, particularly at roundabouts and when emerging.

Using the mirrors

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Use your mirrors effectively before any manoeuvre.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Act sensibly and safely on what you see.

 Giving signals

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Signal to let others know what you intend doing.

2.      Use your signals to help other road users, including pedestrians.

3.      Always make sure your signal is cancelled after use.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Give signals clearly and in good time.

2.      Know how to give arm signals and when they are necessary.

 Acting on signs and signals

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Understand road markings and traffic signs.

2.      React safely and promptly to them. The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Act properly at traffic lights.

2.      Check that the junction is safe before proceeding on a green light.

 Exercising care in the use of speed

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Make good progress.

2.      Take account of the road, traffic, weather conditions.

3.      Comply with road signs.

4.      Keep within speed limits.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Make sure you can stop safely, well within the distance you can see to be clear.

2.      Keep a safe distance on wet or slippery roads.

Following behind another vehicle at a safe distance

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Drive at a speed so that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

2.      Maintain a safe gap between you and the vehicle in front.

3.      Double the distance in bad conditions.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Make proper use of the MSM routine.

2.      Show anticipation in your reactions to changing road and traffic conditions and your handling of the controls.

Making progress

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Make reasonable progress.

2.      Adjust your speed to the road and traffic conditions.

3.      Keep up with traffic.

4.      Emerge at junctions as soon as possible.

5.      Show confidence and judgement.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      The type of road.

2.      The volume and type of traffic.

3.      The weather conditions.

4.      Your visibility.

Overtaking, meeting and crossing the path of other traffic

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Overtaking

·         Allow enough room, especially for cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.

·         Allow enough room after overtaking and avoid cutting in.

2.      Meeting

·         Meet and deal with traffic safely and confidently.

2.      Crossing

·         Use the MSM routine.

·         Slow down and be prepared to stop.

·         Keep well back from an obstruction if you need to stop, so you can see ahead and will have the room to move off again.

·         Use the MSM routine.

·         Position correctly and adjust your speed.

·         Watch out for oncoming traffic and stop if necessary.

·         Watch out for pedestrians crossing at the side road.

Reversing around a corner

The examiner will expect you to reverse:

1.      Smoothly

2.      Correctly

3.      Safely

4.      Under control

5.      Keeping reasonably close to the kerb

6.      Without mounting or hitting the kerb

7.      Without swinging out too wide

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Check traffic and road conditions.

2.      Look out for traffic and pedestrians.

3.      Stop in a safe position.

Turning in the road

The examiner will expect you to turn your car around in the road:

1.      Smoothly

2.      Under control

3.      Making proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering

4.      Without touching or mounting the kerb

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Are aware of other road users.

2.      Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre.

Reverse parking

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Reverse into a space of about two car lengths.

2.      Park your car at the kerb safely, smoothly and under control.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Take all-round observation.

2.      Stop reasonably close to the kerb.

3.      Do not get too close to the parked car.

4.      Do not mount the kerb.

Road positioning and lane discipline

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Keep to the left normally.

2.      Avoid weaving in and out between parked cars.

3.      Obey lane markings.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Select the appropriate lane in good time.

2.      Use the MSM routine.

Passing stationary vehicles

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Allow, if possible, the width of a car door.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Look out for doors opening, vehicles pulling away, children and pedestrians stepping out.

Pedestrian crossings

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Demonstrate consideration and courtesy for pedestrians.

2.      Stop at Pelican, Puffin and Toucan Crossings if the lights are red.

3.      Give way to pedestrians at Pelican Crossings if the lights are flashing amber.

4.      Slow down and stop at Zebra Crossings if anyone is crossing or waiting to cross.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

1.      Control your speed on approach to Pedestrian Crossings.

2.      Move off, after looking carefully to ensure it is safe.

Selecting a safe place to stop

The examiner will expect you to:

1.      Stop where you will not obstruct the road or cause a hazard.

2.      Stop near to the edge of the road.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:

Do not cause danger or inconvenience to other road users when you stop.