The Driving Test
Show me/Tell me questions; About the test; After the test; The 6-Point Rule
The Practical Test
The practical driving test will last for approximately 45 minutes and will include an eyesight check, two questions on basic vehicle maintenance and a drive around a pre-designated route, ending back at the test centre. During the test, you will be required to demonstrate two manoeuvres and possibly a 'controlled stop'. There are four manoeuvres that you will have to be profficient at: 1) turn in the road; 2) reversing into a side road on the left; 3) parking the vehicle by reversing into a marked bay (at the test centre if available) and 4) reversing into a position parallel the the kerb, behind a parked vehicle. The controlled stop is not conducted on every test.
Show me / Tell me questions
At the start of the test (Cat B) you will be asked TWO of the following questions. You will get a 'driver fault' for an incorrect answer. You are asked to either identify and tell or demonstrate the answer to the questions. The list below contains all 19 questions and as all vehicles are slightly different, the location of certain components will differ as will the method of checking them. Familiarise yourself with the questions and the vehicle you will be using to take the test.
- Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
- Show me/explain how you would check that the power steering is working before starting a journey.
- Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.
- Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear. make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
- Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.
- Show me how you would check that the horn is working.
- Open the bonet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
- Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
- Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car (I can assist you. If you need to, switch on the ignition. Please don't start the car).
- Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
- Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail-lights are working (there's no need to exit the vehicle).
- Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how the tyre pressures should be checked.
- Tell me how you would check the condition of the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread-depth and that their condition is safe for use on the road.
- Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers.
- Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both the front and rear screens.
- Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain how and when you would use it/them (there's no need to exit the vehicle).
- Show me how you would switch your headlights for dipped beam to main beam and explain how you would know that main beam was on from inside the car.
- Tell me how you would make sure that your head restraint is correctly adjusted so that it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
- Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
After the test
You will get the result of the test as soon as the examiner has completed marking your 'Driving Test Report' whilst you are still in the car.
If you pass, you will need to hand over your drivers licence for the examiner to take down your correct details. If you have aquired your licence within the last few years you will have already paid to have it exchanged for a full licence. The examiner will arrange to have this sent to you and will take your provisional away from you. The full licence can take upto three weeks to arrive, so be patient. The examiner will then take the opportunity to explain any faults you may have had on the test and ways that you can improve those points. You will be issued with a 'pass certificate' and some literature on extending your driving skills (i.e the Pass Plus course, advanced driving courses etc.)
If you fail, the examiner will go through the test report and explain what caused you to fail and why it was marked as such. The examiners decision is final and there is no way the result can be changed - so there's no point arguing!! You will then have to wait for ten days before re-applying for another test.
The '6 Point' rule
Once you have passed your driving test you are in effect on probation for two years. If within that time you get six penalty points awarded, you lose your entitlement to drive, and will have to start the whole procedure again (including taking the theory test and another practical!). A guide to the penalty points appears at the back of the Highway code.