-Practical test for cars explained-
As a pupil of MJW School of Motoring
you will take your test using the
vehicle you used to learn in.
Your driving test will start with an
eyesight check and some vehicle safety
questions. You will then start your
practical driving test which will
include some specific manoeuvres.
The driving part of your test will last
about 40 minutes. Throughout the test
your examiner will be looking for an
overall safe standard of driving,
including when you are carrying out the
set exercises. You can make up to 15
driving faults and still pass the test
(16 or more results in failure).
However, if you commit one serious or
dangerous fault you will fail the test.
What will the test include?
The test will include an eyesight
check (if you fail this, your test will
not continue)The eyesight test
requires you to read a number plate that
is a certain distance away. For more
information about the eyesight check
please use the 'Driving eyesight
requirements' link below.
After the eyesight test you will be
asked two vehicle safety check
questions. You will then be examined on
your general driving and on two
reversing exercises. The reversing
exercises will be chosen from:
You may also be asked to carry out an
emergency stop exercise.
Vehicle safety questions
These are basic safety checks that a
driver should carry out to ensure the
vehicle is safe for use. Although some
checks may involve the candidate in
opening the bonnet to identify where
fluid levels would be checked, pupils
will not be asked to touch a hot engine
or physically check fluid levels.
As vehicle technology advances, more
and more vehicles are being equipped
with electronic diagnostic systems,
which inform the driver of the state of
the engine fluid levels and tyre
pressures. It will be acceptable for a
candidate to refer to the vehicle
information system (if fitted) when
answering questions on fluid levels or
tyre pressures.
You can find source material in the DSA
publication 'The official guide to
Driving - the essential skills' and 'The
official DSA guide to learning to
drive'. Advice and information on how to
carry out vehicle safety checks can also
be found in the manufacturer's handbook.
Candidates will be asked two
questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell
me'. One or both questions answered
incorrectly will result in one driving
fault being recorded.
What happens during the test?
During the driving test the examiner
will give you directions which you
should follow. Test routes are designed
to be as uniform as possible and will
include a range of typical road and
traffic conditions. During the test, the
examiner will ask you to carry out set
exercises.
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 might be a less serious
driving fault and may not affect your
result. The examiner will be looking for
an overall safe standard of driving.
You can make up to 15 driving faults
and still pass the test (16 or more
results in failure). However, if you
commit one serious or dangerous fault
you will fail the test. If at any time
your examiner considers you to be a
danger to other road users your test
will be stopped.
You are allowed to take someone with
you on the test, this person must be
over 16 years old and cannot take any
part in the test.
After the practical test
When the driving test is over, the
examiner will tell you whether you
passed or failed. You can request
feedback on your test from the examiner,
who will then go through your
performance during the test.
If you pass...
If you pass and have a photocard
driving licence issued after 1 March
2004 the examiner will ask you if you
want your full driving licence issued to
you automatically.
If you want to use this service, the
examiner will take your old licence off
you, scan the details and send them
electronically to the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then
be given a pass certificate to prove you
passed your test. DVLA will then send
you your new full licence by post within
four weeks of you passing your practical
test.
If you pass your test but do not want
to use this automatic service, or have a
licence issued before 1 March 2004, you
will be given a pass certificate by the
examiner. On the back of the pass
certificate it tells you what you need
to do next. This involves sending your
licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who
will then check your application and
issue you with a new full licence.
If you fail...
If you fail the test you should ask
the examiner for some feedback to help
prepare yourself for your next test.
Your driving report form will also show
you where you made any mistakes. You can
take another practical test 10 working
days after your car or motorcycle test.
Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry
out the test to the same standard, they
do not have pass or fail quotas. So as
long as you demonstrate the standard
required you will pass your driving
test.
Weather conditions/ mechanical
problems etc
DSA do not conduct tests in bad light
or in adverse weather conditions for the
safety of the candidate and the
examiner. We will arrange another
appointment at no further cost, but
compensation is not payable. Candidates
should call the telephone number quoted
on the appointment letter to check
whether their test will go ahead.
If the driving test is not completed
for reasons attributable to you or your
vehicle, you will have to take another
test at your own cost.
