Home  » Learner Driver Zone » Practical Test 

LEARNER DRIVER ZONE: 
The Driving Ability Practical Test 

Getting Ready to Take Your Driving Test

When you are ready to take the Practical Test, you can book your test online. 
Your A Roads Driving Instructor will let you know when to apply, when your skills have reached the correct standard to ensure you have the best chance of passing.

On the day of your Practical Test your A Roads Driving Instructor will make sure that you arrive in plenty of time to ensure you can get yourself settled and calm. Before taking your test, you will be nervous, but this is to be expected. The Driving Test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you can drive safely in different road conditions and that you have learned your highway code.

What you will need to bring with you

  • Your theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you’re not exempt from taking the theory test
  • Both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart
You must take your signed driving licence and a valid passport if you have an old-style 
paper licence.

At The Test Centre 

You will sit in the Test Centre with your your A Roads Driving Instructor, waiting for your examiner to call your name.
  • You will be asked by the examiner to sign at the top of the marking sheet to be used during your test, to confirm that the address on your licence is still your current address and that the vehicle you are using for the test is insured
  • Your examiner will then run through what is expected of you
  • You will then have an eyesight test, to check you can correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle. (20 metres away for vehicles with a new-style number plate) and (20.5 metres away for vehicles with an old-style number plate.)
  • If you can’t pass the eyesight test you’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue. The DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked, so it is vital you bring with you, your glasses or ensure you are wearing your contact lenses. This is a legal requirement when learning to drive.

the Practical Driving Test

When the Practical DrivingTest begins, you will have 40 minutes to demonstrate everything you have learned in your driving lessons with A Roads Driving School Cornwall.

You will be asked if you wish to have your instructor with you in the car, at A Roads Driving School we encourage this, as you Driving Instructor will be able to see first hand any issues that arise. 

You need to show you can drive competently and safely in all kinds of driving situations. The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested, but you will still be taught them by your A Roads Instructor.

You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres:
  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • park in a bay - either 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 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic
To pass, you will need to complete the test without any serious faults and with 15 or fewer minor errors. 

The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test - these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
  • ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
  • ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

Your Driving Test includes 20mins  of  Independent Driving

As of the 4th Dec 17, this part of the test has been made longer, so it’ll now last around 20 minutes - roughly half of the test. During this time most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.
The examiner will provide the sat nav (a TomTom Start 52) and set it up. You won’t need to set the route - the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of sat nav you practise with.
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test - you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.
You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it.
One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.
​
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 isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault.

When you return to the Test Centre car park you will be informed whether you have passed or failed. 

What happens after the test has finished?

If you have passed...

If you have achieved 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults - YOU HAVE PASSED YOUR DRIVING TEST with A ROADS DRIVING SCHOOL.

Your examiner will also give you feedback about how eco-efficient your driving was during the Driving Test.

Your examiner will give you a PASS CERTIFICATE and they will also ask if you want your new full licence sent to you automatically.
You can start driving straight away - you don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive.

If you have not passed this time..

If you have had your A Roads Driving Instructor with you during your Driving Test, they will be able to listen to the feedback from the examiner and also give you more information on what caused the faults during your Driving Test.

There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:
  • A dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
  • A serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
  • A driving fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault
You will have to wait 10 days before taking another Driving Test, during this time your 
A Roads Driving Instructor will work on the areas that caused the faults to be marked, to ensure you have the best chance of passing on your next attempt. 

To book your First Driving Lesson Contact, A Roads Driving School Today!
Text 'Driving' To:  07771 763291 or 07919 020442
Lesson Prices
Intensive Driving Courses
Apply for Your Provisional
Theory Test Training
Show Me, Tell Me
Practical Test 
Emergency Vehicles
Testimonials
Pass Plus Course
Motorway Driving lessons
Refresher Course
Get in touch with A Roads Driving
FAQs
Meet your Instructor
Testimonials
Useful Links
Terms of Use
Here you will find helpful Videos created by the DVSA .....read more
Driving Lessons, available in the following areas:Northampton, Weston Favell, Duston, NN1 and surrounding areas.
Home  » Learner Driver Zone  » Qualified Driver Zone  » Contact Us » Meet your Instructor