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Your driving test
The examiner’s job is to watch you drive and complete a report on your performance.
Sometimes the examiner’s supervisor will sit in the back of the car. Driving test examiners do not try to trick you or to catch you out; in fact, they will be as helpful as possible.
Because of the nature of the job, examiners sit quietly and do not talk unnecessarily as this could be a distraction for you
The test starts in the waiting room. Make sure that you arrive on time, otherwise you might lose your test and the fee. The examiner will come out and ask you to sign a form; he/she will check your theory test certificate and photographic evidence of identity. Your provisional licence will also be checked to ensure that it is current and valid for the vehicle that you are being tested in.
You must have either Both parts of a current-style two-part photocard licence (photocard and paper counterpart) or An old-style paper licence with a valid passport. The DSA will not accept any other documentation as evidence of entitlement or identity.
You will then be asked to lead the way to your car. You will be asked the 'Show me/Tell me' questions and then the examiner will note the make and registration number of the car and will check that it complies with the regulations.
He/she will then get into the car and briefly explain the test procedure to you.
‘You should drive in your normal manner. Follow the road ahead unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise or unless I ask you to turn right or left.’
This simply means that you should drive normally, as you have been taught, following all the relevant rules.
Expect the examiner’s language to be formal, but polite. For example:
‘Take the first road on the left, please’,
‘I would like you to turn your car around in the road to face the opposite direction’,
‘I’m pleased to tell you that you have passed’,
If you are unsure about any instruction, ask for it to be repeated. Don’t, however, ask questions about how you should drive the car as this will meet with a polite ‘Do what you would normally do’ or something similar.
Your test will last for about 40 minutes and include a wide range of different roads and manoeuvres, including dual-carriageways where possible. At the end of the test the examiner will tell you the result and briefly discuss the test.
When you pass, you will be able to apply for a full licence. Whether you pass or fail you will be given a report form showing the mistakes that you made during the drive; this will help both you and your instructor to improve your future driving performance.
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