Driving Test Guidance

Driving Test Requirements and Guidance

Vehicle and Documentation

To take your driving test, you must have:

A suitable car fitted with L plates

Valid insurance for the test

A rear-view mirror for the examiner

Your provisional driving licence


You must ensure you meet the required standard of driving before booking your test and confirm you have access to a suitable vehicle as outlined above.

Booking and Test Day Guidance

You may change the date of your test only twice.

On the day of your test, do not arrive more than 10 minutes early, as this can disrupt tests already in progress.


During the Test

The practical driving test lasts approximately 40 minutes and includes a range of environment, driving situations and manoeuvres.

Required Exercises

You will be asked to complete:

A hill start

Three safe pull-overs on the left and moving off

An angled start (moving off from behind a parked vehicle)

Independent driving, either by following road signs or using a satnav

One reversing manoeuvre from the following list:

• Parallel Park
• Park on the right
• Reverse Bay
• Forward bay

You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop (approximately 1 in 7 tests).

Driving Conditions

Your route will cover a variety of roads and situations. You must demonstrate safe and competent driving in all of the following:

Narrow roads and meeting situations

Roundabouts

Traffic lights

Faster-moving roads

Lane changes

Reading and responding to road signs and markings

Planning ahead and hazard perception


Your use of mirrors, road positioning, appropriate speed, and awareness of other road users will be continuously assessed, along with your overall control of the vehicle.

Vehicle Safety Questions

You will be asked:

One “Tell Me” question at the start of the test while stationary

One “Show Me” question while driving (this may include operating a control such as headlights, demister, windows, washers, or the horn)