What to expect on the driving test day

Although taking your driving test can be a nerve-racking experience, all driving tests follow a standard format. Your instructor will help you become familiar with what you’ll be expected to do during your test. Everything you encounter during your driving test will be something you’ve already performed dozens of times during the course of your lessons.

Before You Get in the Car...

Your examiner will introduce themselves to you, and you will be required to present your provisional license and theory test pass certificate. If you are using your own car, you will have to sign a form declaring that it is insured for use in a driving test.
You will have to prove that your eyesight is up to scratch to take the test. You’ll be shown a normal car registration plate nearly 70ft away. If you can’t read this, the instructor will check that you’re stood the right distance from the plate then ask you to try again. If you cannot read the number on this occasion, you will have failed the test.

Before the driving Test

Before starting the test, the examiner will perform an inspection of the car and ask you to get in and make yourself comfortable. This gives you a chance to adjust the seating, mirrors and get a feel for the car before the test begins.
The examiner will get in the car with you, and briefly explain the rules of the test. These are actually very simple.
You will be expected to simply follow the road - following any road signs or directions as necessary. If the examiner wants you to turn off they will give you an indication in plenty of time. Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat an instruction if you don’t quite catch it first time.

During the driving Test

Your driving test will take about 40 minutes and will assess your driving in a variety of road conditions.

These are the normal everyday roads and streets – such as those in residential areas
Main roads possibly of a higher speed limit
Dual-carriageways up to national speed limit (70mph)
Country roads up to national speed limit (60mph)

Standard driving Manoeuvres

There are 3 standard manoeuvres that are part of the driving test. However, you will only be expected to perform 2 of them during your test. By the time you have had a comprehensive course of driving lessons, there should be no need to feel daunted by the prospect of performing these.

Turn in the road (Three Point Turn)
Reverse into a limited opening on the left/right (Reverse around a corner)
Reverse Park - either in a car park into a parking bay or on the road behind a parked vehicle

Emergency Stops and Other driving Manoeuvres

The emergency stop is only actually performed in about 25% of driving tests. If your examiner wants you to perform an emergency stop, they will give you a verbal instruction a little time before you are expected to perform one.

Another part of your test will be a number of occasions where you are simply asked to park the car safely and pull away again. Sometimes, these manoeuvres are performed in places that provide a minor test – such as on a hill or behind a stationary vehicle or other obstruction. Again, your driving instructor will routinely ask you to do the same kind of manoeuvre so this should feel pretty normal to you by the time you take your test.

After the driving test

At the end of the driving test, the driving test examiner will ask you to switch off the engine and will then inform you as to your success or failure.
Regardless of pass or fail, the driving test examiner will ask you if you wish the driving faults to be explained. This is always a good idea, especially if you have not passed, but even if you pass this may still be some useful advice.