How to Prepare For Your Driving Test
By Motor Match • 21/02/2025
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the driving test, from what happens on the day to tips for success. Find out more.
Taking your driving test is a major milestone in life, marking the transition from learner to independent driver. It’s normal to feel nervous, but being well-prepared can make a huge difference in boosting your confidence and increasing your chances of passing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the driving test, from what happens on the day to tips for success.
Before the Test: Essential Preparations
Before you take your test, there are some things that you should take with you:
Gathering Necessary Documents
Before you set off for your test, ensure you have the following essential documents:
- Your provisional driving licence.
- Your theory test pass certificate.
- A car that meets the test requirements if you're not using your instructor’s vehicle.
Your car must be insured, taxed and have an MOT (if applicable). Additionally, it must have L-plates and a functioning speedometer. If you’re unsure whether your car qualifies, check the official government guidelines.
Arriving at the Test Centre
You should aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to allow yourself time to relax and mentally prepare. Arriving late can result in cancellation, so be punctual.
Understanding the Structure of the Driving Test
The driving test lasts approximately 40 minutes and consists of five key parts:
Eyesight Check
The first task in your driving test will be a basic eyesight check. You’ll be asked to read a vehicle’s number plate from 20 metres away (or 20.5 metres for old-style plates). If you fail this test, you will not be allowed to proceed further. If you need to wear glasses to drive, ensure you have brought those with you.
‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Vehicle Safety Questions
The examiner will ask you two questions to assess your knowledge of basic vehicle safety checks:
- ‘Tell Me’ questions: these will be asked before you start driving. You’ll need to explain how you’d carry out a specific safety check, such as, “tell me how you’d check the brakes are working before starting a journey.”
- ‘Show Me’ questions: these may be asked while you’re driving. You’ll need to demonstrate how to operate a specific function in your vehicle, such as using the windscreen wipers or turning on the headlights.
Failing to answer correctly will count as a minor fault but will not result in immediate failure.
General Driving Ability
This section evaluates how well you drive in different road and traffic conditions. The examiner will give clear instructions and you’ll be expected to:
- Pull over and move away safely, including a hill start.
- Drive in varied traffic conditions, including residential streets, dual carriageways and busy junctions.
- Possibly perform an emergency stop (this is randomly included in 1 out of 3 tests).
You should demonstrate smooth control, proper lane discipline and appropriate speed adjustments based on road conditions.
Reversing Manoeuvre
You will be asked to perform one of the following three manoeuvres, so it’s important you practice beforehand:
- Parallel parking: parking behind a vehicle at the side of the road.
- Bay parking: either driving forward into a bay and reversing out or reversing into a bay and driving forward out.
- Pulling up on the right: stopping on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for two car lengths and rejoining traffic safely.
Independent Driving
For approximately 20 minutes, you will drive independently. This can be done in one of two ways:
- Following directions from a sat nav provided by the examiner.
- Following road signs to a specific destination.
This section assesses your ability to navigate without step-by-step guidance while maintaining safe driving practices.
After the Test: Understanding Your Results
Once the test concludes, the examiner will provide feedback and let you know if you’ve passed or failed.
How Your Test is Marked
Faults are categorised into three types:
- Minor faults: small mistakes that do not pose a safety risk. You’re allowed up to 15 minor faults before failing.
- Serious faults: mistakes that could potentially be dangerous.
- Dangerous faults: errors that pose immediate danger to you, the examiner, or other road users.
If you receive one serious or dangerous fault, you will fail automatically. If you accumulate 16 or more minor faults, you will also fail. You will only be told you have failed at the end of the test, so even if you know you’ve made a mistake, try to concentrate on completing the test safely. It’s important to maintain composure as to not cause any incidents on the road.
If You Pass
Congratulations! You will receive a pass certificate and can start driving immediately. The examiner will also guide you on how to obtain your full driving licence, which will be sent to you by mail.
If You Fail
Don’t be discouraged. The examiner will provide constructive feedback so you can improve. You can rebook your test after 10 working days. Use this time to practice and address any weaknesses identified during your test.
Your driving test is a significant step towards independence, and while it may seem daunting, thorough preparation can greatly increase your chances of passing. Understanding what to expect, practicing diligently, and staying calm on the day will help you succeed. Remember, even if you don’t pass the first time, it’s a learning experience that will ultimately make you a better and safer driver. Always look at the feedback you received from the examiner to ensure you know how you can improve for next time.
Buy your first car from Motor Match
If you do pass, you may want to consider buying your own car, so why not take a look at the used vehicles we have available today? Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all kinds of cars, so they’ll be able to help you with deciding on the best car for your needs. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.
Best of luck on your driving test!
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