The practical driving test lasts around 40 minutes. Knowing exactly what will happen takes a lot of the pressure off — and it is why Gokhan runs mock tests around the Wood Green and Enfield test centres before test day.
1. The eyesight check
Before you get in the car, you need to read a number plate from 20 metres away. If you need glasses or contact lenses to do this, wear them for the whole test.
2. "Show me, tell me" questions
The examiner asks two vehicle safety questions. You answer the "tell me" question before you start driving, and the "show me" question while you are driving — for example, showing how you would use the windscreen washers.
3. General driving
You drive on a variety of roads and in different traffic conditions. You may be asked to pull over at the side of the road, pull out from behind a parked car and do a hill start. You might also be asked to do an emergency stop.
4. A reversing manoeuvre
You will be asked to do one of these:
- Parallel park at the side of the road
- Park in a parking bay, either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out
- Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic
5. Independent driving
For around 20 minutes you drive without turn-by-turn directions from the examiner, following either directions from a sat nav or traffic signs.
How the test is marked
- Driving faults are less serious — you can have up to 15 and still pass
- Serious faults are potentially dangerous — one means you fail
- Dangerous faults involve actual danger — one means you fail
Full details are on GOV.UK: what happens during the driving test. If it does not go your way, see how Gokhan helps after a failed test.