Our guide to the practical driving test

As well as passing the theory test to gain a driving licence you will need to pass a practical driving test. The driving test is designed for you to show your practical skills and understanding of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely.

You will be assessed by a DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) examiner and the test will last around 40 minutes. The examiner will check your photo ID to ensure you are who you say you, perform a simple eye sight check and ask you some safety questions. The examiner will ask if you want somebody to accompany you on the test, this can be your instructor or another friend or family member. This will be entirely up to you if you want.

Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. At Drive Wright Sheffield we will make sure you are ready for your test and completed all necessary practice lessons beforehand to completely prepare you for your test.

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

1. drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
2. know The Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability

If you can demonstrate the standard required, you'll pass your driving test. There are no pass or fail quotas.

On the day of your test you will need to take with you:

1. Your paper driving licence and the card part
2. Theory test pass certificate
3. If you have an old style paper only licence you will need to take your passport for identity purposes as well

The Driving Standards Agency have developed the Driver's Record to help you keep track of your progress and encourage you to become skilled in all the key areas. The Record is based on the official learning to drive syllabusand and lists all the skills you need to drive safely. It will help you see how you're progressing and identify the skills that need more attention. Using this record will help you to prepare for your practical test and become a safer driver. You can download a copy by clicking on the picture below.

This is a few of the items examiners are looking for when they are performing a driving test.

Mirrors and signals have to be used correctly and in good time.
They will be paying attention to how you deal with other road users.
At junctions your examiner will be watching to see that you are using the Mirror Signal Manoeuver Routine. (M.S.M.)
Taking appropriate action when you approach a pedestrian crossing.
He/She will ask you to stop so ensure you find a safe place. On some tests you will be required to perform an emergency stop.
You could be expected to do one of the following manoeuvers:
• A turn in the road
• Reverse parking
• Reversing into a parking bay
• Reverse around a corner
Whilst on your test you be asked to perform independent driving for 10 minutes following traffic signs, a series of directions or a combination of the two.

From December 2017 the following changes were made to the driving test...

1. Independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes or roughly half the test.
2. During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav. 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.
3. Reversing manoeuvres will be changed. 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 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
4. Answering a vehicle safety question while you're driving

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.

And that's it test over it's back to the test centre to see how you did and if you passed. If you failed the examiner will give you a debrief on where you lost points to help you prepare for your next test.