What to Expect on Your Driving Test

The car practical test lasts about 40 minutes. Knowing what's coming can take a lot of the stress out of it.

Official information: For the latest rules, see GOV.UK: driving test.

What to bring

• Your UK photocard driving licence
• A suitable car, usually your instructor's
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive

1. Eyesight check

You'll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres (for newer-style plates). Fail this and the test ends.

2. "Show me, tell me" questions

You'll be asked two vehicle safety questions:

• a "tell me" question before you start driving, such as explaining how you'd check tyre condition
• a "show me" question while driving, such as showing how to wash the windscreen

3. General driving

You'll drive on different types of roads and in varying traffic. You may be asked to pull over and move off, including a hill start, and you may do an emergency stop.

4. Reversing manoeuvre

You'll be asked to do one of these:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• park in a parking bay, driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out
• pull up on the right-hand side, reverse about 2 car lengths, and rejoin traffic

5. Independent driving

For about 20 minutes, you'll follow directions from a sat nav or traffic signs. If you go the wrong way, it isn't a fault in itself as long as you do it safely.

The result

The examiner tells you your result and explains any faults. You pass with 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.

Find your test centre

Browse driving test centres, for example Leeds or York, and find an instructor near you.