The Driving Test

Before you are able to take your practical driving test you need to have passed your theory test. Both the Theory & Practical tests can be booked via dsa website Alternatively, they can be booked by calling 0300 100 1122 (correct as of January 2011).

Once you have your provisional driving licence you can book your theory test. The theory test can only be taken once you are 17 years old. As soon as you've passed your theory test, you can book your practical driving test.

Cost of driving test

Prices (correct as of January 2011)
Theory test costs £31
Practical test costs £62 on weekdays, £75 if tests are to be taken weekday evenings or at the weekend.

What's involved in the Theory Test?

The test contains two parts:

• Multiple Choice Questions
• Hazard Perception

At the end of the test you will be given your test result by the test centre staff. If it’s a pass, you will be given a reference number on your results sheet, this is needed to book your practical test.

Multiple Choice Questions:

This part of the test is taken first. You will be asked a series of 50 questions, you need 43 to pass. You can study for this using The Highway Code book.

Hazard Perception

There is a maximum of 75 points for this test, 44 are needed to pass. For this part of the test you will be shown 14 video clips, these clips feature every day road scenes and will contain one (or more) developing hazard. A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The object of this test is to click the mouse each time you recognise the developing hazard. Note, you can't continuely click the mouse.

Practical Driving Test

This test is an assessment of your driving ability to ensure that you are a safe, considerate driver that is not likely to endanger other road users. The assessment is based on driving around a set test route (there are multiple set routes and you may bet a different route each time) which will show your capabilities to the examiner.

The test is 40 minutes long and consists of an eye sight check, two vehicle safety questions, one reverse manoeuvre, some independent driving and possibly an emergency stop.

The independent drive is a 10 minute drive where you will be asked to follow road signs towards a certain destination or follow multiple instructions from a small map.

The eye sight check

This eye sight check involves reading a car number plate from 20.5 metres from the vehicle. Where applicable, you should wear your glasses or contact lenses.

Two vehicle safety questions

Two randomly chosen vehicle safety questions will be asked by the examiner. The types of vehicle check questions are illustrated by the two examples below.

• Q: How do you check your vehicles horn?
• A: You depress the vehicles horn and make sure it sounds.

• Q: How do you check your power steering fluid?
• A: You open your bonnet and make sure that the power steering fluid reservoir is between the minimum and maximum levels.

Reversing manoeuvres

You will be asked to do one of the four reversing manoeuvres as part of your practical test. The four manoeuvres are described below.

Reverse around a corner

Whilst doing this you must keep close to the curb, but without touching it. Also you must show good all round observation to ensure you do not affect other road users (these can be motor vehicles, non-motor vehicles or pedestrians)

Parallel park

Reverse parking between two parked cars at the side of the road. Without mounting the pavement and finishing at a convenient distance from the curb. Also you must show good all round observation to ensure you do not affect other road users

Turn in the road

This involves turning the car round in the road using forward and reverse gears, without mounting the pavement on either side of the road.

Reverse bay parking

Using a parking bay within a test centre you will be ask to reverse into a convenient bay (one without another vehicle in it) and you must demonstrate an ability to get all four wheels of the car within the white lines.

Independent drive

Example map etc...