Practical Driving Section

Once you have completed the eye test and vehicle safety questions, the examiner will walk around your car, taking details of the make and model and checking that the vehicle is roadworthy. Before the test, make sure that your car has no broken lights, the windscreen is clean, the windscreen wipers are in place, the tyres comply with the legal requirements and the 'L' plates are properly displayed. If the examiner is happy with the car, they will begin the test.

Once in the car, the examiner will tell you that they want you to follow the road ahead unless traffic signs direct otherwise, or unless they asks you to turn. You will be expected to know and act on all traffic signs and signals, including any signals given by other drivers. Failure to do so will result in fault being recorded in the section known as 'Take prompt and appropriate action on all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, signals given by traffic controllers, other road users'.

At this point, they will ask you to drive away when you are ready. Before doing so, make sure that you take proper precautions before starting the engine; that is, making sure that the handbrake is on and the gear lever is in neutral. You will need to demonstrate your ability to move off smoothly and safely on the level, on a gradient and at an angle taking the correct precautionary observations.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it may not even count as a minor driving fault and so may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 minor driving faults, but if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail immediately and the test will be stopped.

General Driving Categories

During the test, the examiner will be building up a picture of your ability and common sense as a driver and marking your performance on their sheet. They will be looking for how you perform in a number of categories, including:

• Make proper use of accelerator, clutch, gears, foot brake, handbrake, steering.
  They will check for reasonably smooth use of the controls.
• Make progress by driving at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions, avoiding undue hesitancy.
  Your ability to suit your speed to the road and traffic conditions
• Exercise proper care in the use of speed.
  Your ability to choose the right speed for general driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction and roundabouts.
• Make effective use of the mirrors well before signalling, changing direction, slowing down or stopping.
  Correct use of mirrors and signals.
• Give signals where necessary, correctly, in good time.
  The examiner will be checking that signals are given in good time and that the correct signals are given.
• Show awareness and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers.
  In this section, the examiner will also be watching to see how you deal with other road users.
• Overtake, meet, cross the path of other vehicles safely.
  The examiner will be checking that you can carry out these three manoeuvres in a safe manner.
• Act properly at road junctions.
  At junctions the examiner will be watching to see that you apply the Mirror, Signal, Manoeuver (M.S.M) routine. You have to know how to deal with different types of junction.
• Allow adequate clearance to stationary vehicles.
  Allow plenty of room to pass stationary vehicles, obstructions and be prepared to slow down or stop. A door may open, a child may run out or a vehicle may pull out without warning.
• Take appropriate action at pedestrian crossing.
  You should be able to recognise the different types of pedestrian crossing and show courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians, slowing down and stopping if there is anyone on the crossing.
• Select a safe position for normal stops.
  The examiner will ask you to stop at various places during the driving test. Although they will not try to trap you by asking you to stop in an illegal place, you should always make sure that you have chosen a safe position, where you will not obstruct the road and create a hazard.
• Stop the vehicle in emergency, promptly, under control, making proper use of brakes.
  After one of the stops, the examiner may ask you to do an emergency stop (1 in 3 tests will make use of this test).The examiner will explain to you that you have to stop the vehicle in an emergency, and will show you what they intend to do in order for you to stop quickly at their request. You need to stop the vehicle promptly and under control, which requires you to apply a constant firm pressure to the brake pedal, holding it just short of the point at which the wheels lock. You must then depress the clutch pedal before the engine stalls. When you have stopped, apply the handbrake, and put the gear lever into neutral. Move off again when told.

Reversing Exercises

During the test you will be asked to carry out two of the following four reversing manoeuvres:

• Reverse around a corner
• Turning in the road
• Reverse parking into a space of about two car lengths
• Reversing into a parking bay at the driving test car park

Once you have completed all the exercises, you will be asked to return to the driving test centre.