Driving Test

The practical test takes around 38-40 minutes. You are allowed up to 15 driving faults. More than this and you will fail the test; a serious or dangerous fault results is a failure. Before you start the test your eyesight will be checked. You must read a number plate at a distance of 20.5m (67 feet) where the letters and numbers are 79.4mm (three and one eighth of an inch).

Since the 4 December 2017  in England, Scotland & Wales the car test was changed in 4 ways.

The 4 changes to the car test were:

• The independent driving part of the test currently takes approx 20 minutes (was 10 minutes & can still be 10 minutes if the examiner asks you to follow Road signs, 1 in 5 tests operate in this way).
• Most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a satellite navigation system (TOM TOM 52 smart) during independent driving. 4 from 5 tests operate in this way, so there’s an 80% chance you’ll use a Sat Nav.
• The reversing manoeuvres also changed. No more reversing around a corner or turn in the road (3 point turn).
• RIGHT REVERSE
• You could be asked to pull up on the Right hand side of the road  then Reverse for upto 2 cars lengths parallel with the kerb then when safe to do so drive away.
• 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 need to explain how you’d carry out a ‘Tell Me’ safety task) at the start of your test, this will be before you start to drive, and then whilst on the move during the test, the driving examiner will ask you one ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) for example, showing how to demist the front or rear windscreens by using the cars controls.

Learners must pass both the Theory and Practical driving tests to obtain your full category B car driving licence. Before starting lessons and in order to take the two tests you are required to apply for a provisional licence via the Driving Vehicle & Licencing Authority (DVLA). You can collect a (D1) application form from your main Post Office or visit their website at www.dvla.gov.uk and for further information. Please note: you must be 17 years of age to start taking driving lessons or 16 years of age for disabled drivers who are in receipt of Higher Rate PIP (Personal Independent Payment) allowance award.

How you will be marked

You will be expected to maintain control of the lesson, be patient and tactful and give encouraging  feedback to the ‘pupil’ throughout the lesson. What is assessed? It’s the level of instruction relative to the ability of the pupil and to the particular conditions on the road on the day of the test.

You will receive a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies which are added up at the end of the test and will determine whether you have scored enough to qualify. The final score is added up which will then decide your grade. The examiner will discuss the result with you at the end of the test.

Total score

0-30: An unsatisfactory performance. Grade – Fail

31-42 A satisfactory performance, congratulations you have qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor Grade – B

43-51: Congratulations, you have achieved a high standard of instruction, you have qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor Grade – A

Scores of less than 7 in the Risk Management category are an automatic fail. If the examiner has to stop the lesson because you have put yourself or someone else in danger is also an automatic fail

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-driving-instructor-adi-part-3-test-report