_{You will need to pass your Theory and Hazard Perception test before you can book your practical car test. Although I will help you with the knowledge of the Highway Code during the course of your driving lessons, it would be benifical to you to do some homework at home, saving you time and money.}

_{The Theory Test contains 50 multiple choice questions which you will be required to score 43 or more to pass.}

_{The Hazard Perception Test requires you to watch 14 one minute video clips, where you will need to identify 15 developing hazards (beware one video clip has two hazards). You will need to score 44 out of a possible 75 to pass this section.}

_{You must pass both Theory and Hazard Perception at the same time to get an overall pass.}

• What happens during the test

  There are 5 parts to the driving test:

  • an eyesight check
  • ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
  • general driving ability
  • reversing your vehicle
  • independent driving

  The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.

  How long the test lasts

  You’ll drive for around 40 minutes.

  You’ll drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.

  Eyesight check

  You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
  • 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

  New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

  You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

  ‘Show me, tell me’ questions

  You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

  You’ll be asked the:

  • ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
  • ‘show me’ question while you’re driving

  Your general driving ability

  You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

  The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.

  Pulling over at the side of the road

  You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

  • normal stops at the side of the road
  • pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
  • a hill start

  You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

  Reversing your vehicle

  The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
  • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

  Independent driving

  You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

  • directions from a sat nav
  • traffic signs

  The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.

  They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.

  If you cannot see traffic signs

  If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

  Going off the route

  The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.

  They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.

  If you make mistakes during your test

  You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

  Your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre if the mistake you made means you’ve failed. The test will end early.

  Other people at your test

  Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.

^{For further information about the Theory and Practical Driving Test,}

^{please visit: www.dsa.gov.uk}