The Practical Driving Test

The Practical Driving Test will  last between 35 and 45 minutes. It is designed to see that you can drive safely and show by your driving that you understand the Highway code.  It will cover a variety of routes and will include some set manoeuvres. 

Your ASM Instructor will pick you up 1 hour before the test, give you a warm up lesson finishing at the test centre in good time for the test. You will be driven home after the test. 

You must have your appointment card, signed provisional licence (both parts if new), theory test pass certificate and your passport (if old style licence) with you or you will not be allowed to sit the test.

N.B. You cannot book your driving test until you have passed your theory test.

There can be a 3 to 6+ week wait between booking your Driving test and your test date.

Your instructor will advise you when you are ready to take the practical test.  If you wish to book your own you will need to ring the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on 0300 200 1122 then press 25 between 8am and 6pm weekdays or book it online at the Direct.Gov.uk website.   Generally your instructor will book for test for you, ensuring that she and her car are available for the time and date.  The Test Fee is £62.00 (week days) and is paid to the DSA.

Vehicle Safety Questions

Before starting their practical driving test candidates will be asked to answer two questions about car safety before starting on the road test.  These questions will be of a Show Me and Tell Me nature and will include identifying various reservoirs under the bonnet and saying how to check the levels are OK; telling the examiner how you would check the brake lights, brakes and power assisted steering are working; how you would check the tyres are safe; showing how you would check the lights, horn and handbrake.

When you pass

Congratulations!  Now you will no doubt be thinking about getting a car and it would be worth considering the Pass Plus course.   This is a Driving Standards Agency course which you can take within one year of passing your practical driving test which may give you the benefit of cheaper car insurance.