The driving test for a car is designed for you to show you understand and can demonstrate your knowledge of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.

The car practical driving test

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
• know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

After meeting your examiner, the next two stages are:

• an eyesight check – if you fail this, your test will not continue
• your examiner will ask you two questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks

You'll be asked one 'show me' and one 'tell me' question. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

You can find source material in the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication 'The official guide to Driving - the essential skills' and 'The official DSA guide to learning to drive'. Advice and information on how to carry out vehicle safety checks can also be found in the manufacturer's handbook.

• Driving eyesight requirements

• Download 'vehicle safety questions for car tests' (PDF, 13K)

• Help with PDF files

• The Highway Code

• The Official DSA Guide to Driving, the Essential Skills - TSO Online Bookshop Opens new window

Driving ability

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes during which you will be examined on your general driving and ability to reverse your vehicle safely. One exercise will be chosen from:

• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road
• reverse parking

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

Your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.

• Independent driving and riding section of the practical test

Vehicles you can't use at the practical test

If you plan to use your own vehicle at the practical driving test, there are some vehicles that can't be used for safety reasons. You'll need to check that a recall or safety notice does not affect the vehicle.

• List of makes and models affected

• Minimum test vehicle requirements for a car and car and trailer test

Taking someone with you on your driving test

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. They:

• will usually be the person who has taught you to drive
• could be a relative or friend
• must be over 16 years old
• cannot take any part in the test
• will be able to see how you perform during the test

To get the most benefit, ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.

Your driving test result

When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over if they didn't go with you on your test. This is so they can listen to the result and feedback with you. The examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain how you did during the test.

You can take another practical test ten working days after your failed car test.

• Claiming a driving test pass

Driving test standards

All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.

Driving tests in bad weather

The DSA does not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. The DSA will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. You should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether your test will go ahead.

Vehicle problems

If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.

More useful links

• Pass Plus scheme for car drivers

• The New Drivers Act

• Eco-safe driving