Driving Test Requirements and Guidance
Vehicle & 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.
If going with a driving instructor, you must ensure that they agree you are ready; if not, they will refuse the use of their car. You need to make sure they are available if you want to use their car.
Booking and Test Day Guidance
Currently, your instructor can book and manage a test for you (although not all offer this service).
As of May 31st, 2026, this will become the responsibility of the student. The instructor will have no authority to book, swap, change the date, or cancel your test.
You will also be restricted to which areas you can change your booking to. If you book Weston-super-Mare, the 3 test centres that you can transfer to are:
- Bristol, Avonmouth
- Bristol, Kingswood
- Taunton
You may change the date of your test only twice, and there must be 10 working days before the date of the test or you will lose your test fee.
On the day of your test, do not arrive more than 10 minutes early. Please ensure it is safe to enter the car park.
During the Test
The practical driving test lasts approximately 40 minutes and includes a range of environments, driving situations, and manoeuvres.
Required Exercises
- 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 (following road signs or using a satnav)
One reversing manoeuvre from the following list: Parallel Park, Park on the right, Reverse Bay, or 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
- Rural roads and Roundabouts
- Traffic lights and Faster-moving roads
- Lane changes 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
- One “Tell Me” question at the start (stationary)
- One “Show Me” question while driving
