Your Guide To UK Driving Tests

Before you get stuck into life as a motorist, there’s the not-so-small hurdle of your driving test to clear before you become one of over 45 million drivers in the UK. If you’re gearing up for it, you may well be overwhelmed with the amount to remember, and putting into practice all those hours of lessons. Knowing what to expect can help relieve some of the anxiety, so below we’ve put together your guide to UK driving tests… 

Preparing for your test

In order to take your driving test, you’ll need to have the following things:

A provisional driving licence

This is something that can be applied for by anyone aged 15 and over (though it’s only valid when you turn 16). When you hit 17, it allows you to begin learning to drive. 

A theory test pass

While your practical test is the main event, you can’t get to it without having first passed your theory. This tests your driving knowledge and ensures that, as driving requires all your attention, you’re perceptive enough to recognise and react to hazards. 

Have enough knowledge and practice 

There are no set rules around how many hours of driving lessons or practice you need to have before you’re able to take a driving test, providing you’ve passed your theory. However, you will, obviously, want to be as prepared as you can be to give yourself a good chance of passing. 

A broad UK statistic is that, on average, learner drivers need 20 hours of practice in addition to 45 hours of driving lessons in order to pass, but everyone is different, and you may learn quicker or slower. It’s important to learn at your own pace, and take your test when you feel ready. 

It’s usually recommended that you take a lesson right before your driving test, so everything is fresh in your mind, and you’re already in the driving mindset. 

What happens at your driving test? 

First things first, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re on time; arriving late will add to your stress and could jeopardise the test taking place. You’ll also need to make sure that you have your provisional license and your theory pass certificate with you. You’ll usually use your instructor’s car to take your test in, but you can use your own if it meets the criteria. 

Your driving test will consist of the following 5 parts: 

An eyesight test

The reason for this should be pretty self-explanatory: you need to be able to see clearly on the roads. You’ll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate, or 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate. 

If you fail the eyesight test, you won’t be able to go any further, and the test will end. 

Show me, tell me

Before you start driving, you’ll be asked a question which requires you to ‘tell’ the examiner the answer. While you’re driving, the examiner will ask you to ‘show’ them something, such as how a control on the car works. 

Your driving ability 

Now it’s time to start driving. You’ll cover a range of different road conditions to assess whether you’re a generally competent driver, but you’ll not be asked to drive on a motorway as part of your test. For most of the time, the examiner will direct you. This part will include stopping at the side of the road, pulling out from behind a parked car, and hill starts. There’s also a chance you could be asked to do an emergency stop. 

Reversing your car 

This could mean a parallel park, reversing around a corner, or reversing on the right side of the road for approximately 2 car lengths, then rejoining traffic. 

Independent driving 

For 20 minutes, you will not receive any direction from your examiner, so that they can see how well you follow road signs, or a sat nav. You won’t receive a fault for taking a wrong turn. 

How long does your driving test last? 

The test will take around 40 minutes to complete. 

What happens if you make a mistake on your driving test? 

A mistake doesn’t necessarily mean a fail, so if you realise you’ve done something wrong, you should do your best to put it behind you and carry on driving to the best of your ability. You can still pass your test with up to 15 minor faults (these are mistakes but not serious ones), but you’re not allowed any ‘major’ ones (that’s ones that are considered more serious, and even dangerous).

If you do make any mistakes, your examiner will tell you at the end. Your test won’t be stopped unless your driving is considered dangerous to other road users. 

What happens if you fail your driving test? 

If you fail your driving test, you’ll be told at the end, not during your test. You’re free to book another test providing that it takes place at least 10 days after the one you failed; you will also need to pay again for the next test. You’re able to appeal your driving test only if you can prove that your driving examiner did not abide by the law. 

What happens when you pass your driving test? 

Again, your examiner will reveal the good news at the end of the test once you’re all parked up again, and you can start driving straight away! You’ll get a pass certificate, and you’ll be asked if you want your full driving licence sent out automatically. It will then be posted out to you, but you don’t need to wait for it to arrive before hitting the road (once you’re taxed and insured on your first car, of course). 

Where can you buy your first car from? 

This is the exciting bit; choosing your first car! You’ll want something economical and comfortable for you to drive, and we’d suggest purchasing it from a reputable car dealer, such as EMG! If you’ve got your heart set on a shiny new car, we can help you with that, as well as talk you through the best of our quality used stock. 

Looking for your first car? Your search starts and ends at EMG in East Anglia.