When it reaches the time for your practical test to being, the examiner will call you name and introduce the insurance declaration, which you'll have to sign. This will give him/her the opportunity to check that the signature matches with your provisional licence and then check your photo ID.
If due to medical conditions you can't wear a seatbelt, you must inform the examiner and show the exemption certificate.
You have the option to take your instructor along with you during the practical exam. This can be a good idea for reassurance, although with having a person in a backseat, can make it harder to visually check.
Once formalities are over the examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to lead him / her to your car and identify it to him / her. They will also ask you if there's anything you'd rather be called e.g. Jo instead of Joanne. This will make it more comfortable for you both.
The examiner will ask you to read a number plate from off a nearby vehicle on your way to the test centre car park. If you fail to read a number plate at the specified distance (20.5 meters / 67 feet), then the examiner will measure the actual distance with a special measuring tape. If you fail to read the number plate again you will automatically fail the practical test.
Once you have read the number plate correctly the examiner will then being the basic maintenance test. You will be expected to answer 2 questions about the vehicle checks you would carry out before you begin driving. These questions may be based on things like, how you'd check your break lights are working, how would you check theres enough oil in the car etc. (see basic maintenance test on other questions you may get asked and ho to answer them). If you answer any of these questions incorrectly then it will be marked down by your examiner as a driving fault. Remember to learn the Basic maintenance test well, as 15 driving faults and you will fail.
Before you enter the car and begin the on road practical test, the examiner will take a look around the car to ensure that it complies with legal requirements and that it is road worthy i.e. there are no broken lights, tyres are in suitable condition etc. 'L' plates will be checked that they are displayed correctly and theres nothing blocking your vision on the windscreens. The examiner will join you in the car and begin the test once the required standards of the car are met.
On leaving the test centre car park the examiner will give you instructions to follow the road ahead unless traffic signs direct you otherwise or if she/he asks you to turn off. Examiner will then ask you to move off when ready. Don't forget the cockpit drill before you start the engine. Cockpit drill includes checking doors are shut, gear stick is in neutral and the handbrake is on (your mirrors should already be in the correct position from the previous lesson). The test lasts approx. 35mins, in this time show the examiner you are worthy of a driving licence.
Your driving performance will be accessed through the correct use of gears, accelorator, clutch and the amount of common sense you poccess as a driver.
You will be expected to know and act on all traffic signs, signals as well as any signals given by other drivers if you fail to do any of these you'll be marked against the section: "Take prompt appropriate action on all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, signals given by traffic controllers and other road users.
Each of these sections below are part of the practical test. Failure points will be given in the sections where you don't comply to what it says.
Take prompt appropriate action on all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, signals given by traffic controllers and other road users.
Your response towards all traffic signs, signals and signals from other roads users will be studied by the examiner. If you fail to responed in an unappropriate manor to what you should do, then points will be marked down on the test paper.
Make progress by driving at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions, avoiding undue hesitancy.
In this section of the test the examiner is looking at the way you alter your speed accordingly to suit the road and traffic conditions.
Exercise proper care in the use of speed.
The examiner will judge you on the way you choose a suitable speed for general driving. These will also include how you suit the speed needed to take corners, bends, junctions etc.
Make effective use of mirrors before signalling, changing direction, slowing down or stopping.
Mirrors and signalling are an essential part of driving, you are expected to use these properly and at the appropriate times.
Give signals where necessary and correctly in good time.
You will be watched to see how quick signals are given and if they are the correct ones.
Show awareness and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Plus How to overtake, meet, cross the path of other vehicles safely.
These two sections run closely together. The examiner shall be watching you to see just how well you deal with other road users and whether you take the necessary precautions if you need to overtake another road user.
Act properly at road junctions.
Plus Allow adequate clearance to stationary vehicles.
The examiner will be looking for proper use of mirror, signal, manoeuvre when approaching various different road junctions making sure that if you pass a stationary vehicle that you allow enough room.
Take appropriate action at pedestrian crossings.
Joining every practical exam there will be atleast one pedestrain crossing involved. The examiner will looking for the correct action to be taken when you are faced at a pedestrian crossing.
Select a safe position for normal stops.
The examiner will ask you to stop at various places, each time he/she will be watching to see that where ever you do stop that it is a safe place and in a suitable position.
Stop the vehicle in an emergency, promptly, under control, making proper use of brakes.
You may get asked to perform an emergency stop. If so, listen carefully for the examiners instructions and continue through with a controlled stop. Do remember before you move off, once you've stopped, check all around the car before you M.S.M. then move off safely.
During the practical test you'll be asked to perform two of the following manoeuvres:
Reversing into a parking bay, generally taken in the driving test centre car park.
Checking road is safe, turn around remembering to check observation points and continue through with a controlled manoeuvre.
Once safe, follow out your practised procedure and parallel park your car.
Remembering safety first, reverse around a corner, being extra careful if you have a blind corner.
For the safety of yourself, the examiner and other road users; the test can be terminated straight away if examiner feels in danger at any point. If your practical test is terminated you will be asked to stop in a safe place and then told that you've failed. The examiner will explain what happened for the termination to occur and hand you a failed sheet.
Don't worry too much; it's not the end of your driving career your instructor will help you correct your errors. This will enable you to understand where you went wrong, whcih will give you a better chance at passing on the next practical driving test.
Once the test has stopped, the examiner has to get the test centre. They can not drive the car due to insurance purposes you'll get 2 options:
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