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The Driving Test (Practical)
Once you have
passed your theory test, your
STARFISHDRIVING.co.uk
instructor
will advise you about when you should apply
for your practical driving test. Test dates
take approximately 2 weeks to come through.
Your instructor will help you with
the test application paperwork.
Driving tests
are conducted from our local driving test
centre by a DSA examiner and last for about
40-45 minutes. Most of the test
routes involve town driving and if possible,
single and dual carriageway roads outside 30
mph limits. On the day of your test, you
will need to take the following documents listed below
with you:
-
an appropriately insured and licensed
vehicle, displaying L-plates that is
suitable for the purpose of the test,
-
the appropriate theory test pass
certificate (or confirmation) if you are
not exempt,
-
your test
appointment letter,
-
both parts
of your photo card licence. If you do
not take both parts of your licence your
test will not take place and you will
lose your fee. If you misplace your
licence, you must apply for a
replacement from the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) which could take
up to 15 days. If this happens, you may
have to rearrange your test,
-
if you have an old style paper licence,
from 1 November 2005 you must bring your
paper licence and a valid passport.
On leaving the
driving test centre, your examiner will ask
which car is yours before asking you to read
a car number plate from at least the
required minimum distance. In 2003 a new
section was added to the practical driving
test - 'show me', 'tell me'. Before getting
into the car the examiner will ask two
questions relating to vehicle safety and
maintenance. If one or both questions are
answered incorrectly, one driving fault will
be recorded. The questions are in four
categories:
-
Under the
bonnet
-
Inside the
car
-
Lights
-
Tyres
The examiner
will sit in the front passenger's seat and
explain how the driving test will work. You
will be asked to start the car and move
away. During your test it is likely that you
will complete the following manoeuvres:
-
Two of the
three possible slow manoeuvres.
-
An emergency
stop.
-
The reverse
parking manoeuvre.
-
General
driving on the chosen test route.
-
Demonstrate
a hill start and an angled start.
The examiner is
looking for you to demonstrate that you are a competent and safe driver.
Some minor driving faults are permitted.
Minor faults are errors that do not create
an actual or potential danger to other road
users. The examiner records these mistakes
and if you make 16 or more of these, you
will not pass the test.
If you make a
mistake, continue driving and don't worry.
It may only be a minor error and it may not
affect your result. You will, however,
automatically fail if you make a serious or
dangerous error.
If you fail, the
examiner will explain briefly why you
failed. You can reapply to take your test
again straight away, but you cannot retake
the test within 10 days.
If you pass, you
will be given a pass certificate.
Remember to send it to the DVLA to get your
full driving licence as soon as possible. |
