Practical test for cars explained  
The driving test is designed for you to show you know and understand the Highway code and the theory of driving safely.Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.

The car practical driving test  
The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:
1: Can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions  
2: Know The Highway Code and can show this through your driving

After meeting your examiner, the next two stages are:
1: An eyesight check. If you fail this, your test will not continue.
2: Your examiner will ask you two questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks You'll be asked one 'show me' and one 'tell me' question. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded. You can find source material in the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication 'The official guide to driving - the essential skills' and 'The official DSA guide to learning to drive'.
Advice and information on how to carry out vehicle safety checks can also be found in the manufacturer's handbook.

We give you all this information prior to sitting the test.

Driving ability:
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. You'll be examined on your general driving and ability to reverse your vehicle safely. One exercise will be chosen from:
Reversing around a corner
Turning in the road
Reverse parking
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

Your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.

Independent driving explained
Your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. During your test you'll have to drive independently by either following:
1: traffic signs
2: a series of directions
3: a combination of both
To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

What happens if you forget the directions?
It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers. Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you're going.

The independent driving route
If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

What if you go off the independent driving route?
If you go off the independent driving route it won't affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault. If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route. You can then continue with the independent driving.

What happens if there are poor traffic signs?
If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won't need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

IT'S AFTER YOUR TEST AND YOU'VE PASSED, BUT . . .

HOW ARE YOU HELPING IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY?
You have passed your "L" driving test a while ago, perhaps with flying colours. You have since learned to handle the stress of today's congested driving conditions. YOU are an experienced driver.

BUT ARE YOU AN ADVANCED AND DEFENSIVE DRIVER? Put yourself to the test, apply for your DIAmond Avanced Motorist test TODAY.

PASS PLUS is a 6 hour training course designed to improve your skills as a newly qualified driver. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate which provides discounted car insurance from most insurance companies.
The areas covered include driving in the town and country, adverse weather conditions and driving on the motorway.