Driving practical test for car drivers

The driving test for a car is designed for you to show you understand and can demonstrate your knowledge of 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.

Before applying for the practical test:
Before applying for the practical test, you need to pass the driving theory test. Your practical driving test will start with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety checks. You will then start your car practical driving test which will include some specific driving manoeuvres.

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the practical test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the practical test.

The practical driving test (car):
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now able to offer tests outside the normal test times at a number of test centres. This provides customers a wider range of appointments over an extended working day.

Car practical test is generally available at all permanent test centres. Saturday and weekday evening tests, subject to resources being available, are offered at a premium rate. Non premium rate tests are available at various times between 7.30 am and 3.27 pm Monday to Friday.

The car driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• Can drive safely
• Know the highway code and can demonstrate this through your driving practical test

What will the test include?
The practical test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away.

After the eyesight test, you will be asked two vehicle safety checks. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises.

The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

• Reversing around a corner
• Turning in the road
• Reverse parking

Vehicle safety questions:
These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.

Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

What happens during the car driving practical test?
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the practical test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

The Highway Code - Parking at night

248)	You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of  the traffic flow unless in a recognized parking space.   Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24
249)	All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h). Law RVLR reg 24 Visit: http://www.pass-test.co.uk
250)	Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow in a recognised parking place or lay-by. Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.  Law RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)
251)	Parking in fog. It is especially dangerous to park on the road in fog. If it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights or sidelights on.
252)	Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox.

Related Post:

The Highway Code - Latest edition

The Highway Code - Rules for Tramways( 300-307 )

The Highway Code - Rules for level crossings

Driving test day: Are you nervous?

It has been observed that people who are usually cool and calm, they also get worried as the day of their driving theory test day gets nearer and their nervousness gets worse.

People get nervous about taking their test because :

• Pressure from friends/family
• Fear of failure
• Self-doubts and lack of confidence in your driving
• Lack of preparation
• Previous test failure(s)

Things to remember while appearing for the driving test :

• Practice and practice and practice - The main reason of failure in a test is lack of preparation and practice. So don't rush into taking your driving theory test unless and until you're properly prepared and confident about your preparation.
• Before appearing for the test at least once have a mock driving test with your instructor.
• Avoid listening to 'failure stories'. This would make you more nervous. Just focus on your performance.
• Think positive about your driving test. Thinking can build an actual difference to overcoming driving test nerves
• It's ok if you make mistake - Your mistake could be minor driving fault, wont necessary fail you in test. If you make a mistake,
  keep calm and focus on your driving.
• Believe in yourself - Be confident in your own abilities.
• Don't panic - Say to yourself in your head 'I CAN do this test'.
• Don't take medicines to calm your nerves.
• One day before your test get a good rest.
• Don't drink too much coffee, tea and fizzy drinks; the caffeine will 'hype' you and make your thinking less clear.
• Taking test in the early morning will give you less time to worry about it.
• Do not spread the news - Don't tell your friends and other people that you've booked your driving theory test. This will build the extra stress of trying to live up to your friends and others expectations. Letting your parents know will do as they will give you all the support you want.
• Revise in mind - Perform coordinated tasks by imagining doing them, by practicing in your head.
• Perspective - Overall, remember that although exams are important, they are not the be all and end all. You can always re-take the test.

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The Highway Code - Waiting and parking

238) You MUST NOT wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby time plates (or zone entry signs if in a Controlled Parking Zone) - see 'Information signs' and 'Road markings'. Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs. You MUST NOT wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings (see 'Road markings') when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping. Law RTRA sects 5&8       Parking 239) Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside do not park facing against the traffic flow stop as close as you can to the side do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure lock your vehicle. Laws CUR reg 98, 105 & 107, RVLR reg 27 &  RTA 1988 sect 42 240) You MUST NOT stop or park on the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency (see Rule 270) a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines (see Rule 191) a clearway (see 'Traffic signs') taxi bays as indicated by upright signs and markings an urban clearway within its hours of operation, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers (see 'Traffic signs') a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation a cycle track red lines, in the case of specially designated 'red routes', unless otherwise indicated by signs Any vehicle may enter a bus lane to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited (see Rule 141). Laws MT(E&W)R regs 7 &9,  MT(S)R regs 6 & 8, ZPPPCRGD regs 18 & 20 RTRA  sects 5, 6 & 8, TSRGD regs 10, 26 & 27, RTA 1988  sects 21(1) & 36 Visit: http://www.pass-test.co.uk/ 241) You MUST NOT park in parking spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless entitled to do so. Law CSDPA sect 21 & RTRA sects 5 & 8 242) You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road. Law RTA 1988, sects 22 & CUR reg 103 243) DO NOT stop or park near a school entrance anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space near the brow of a hill or hump bridge opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles in front of an entrance to a property on a bend. where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary traffic. 244) You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs. Law GL(GP)A sect 15 245) Controlled Parking Zones. The zone entry signs indicate the times when the waiting restrictions within the zone are in force. Parking may be allowed in some places at other times. Otherwise parking will be within separately signed and marked bays. 246) Goods vehicles. Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle MUST NOT be left unattended. Law RTA 1988 sect 19 247) Loading and unloading. Do not load or unload where there are yellow markings on the kerb and upright signs advise restrictions are in place (see 'Road markings'). This may be permitted where parking is otherwise restricted. On red routes, specially marked and signed bays indicate where and when loading and unloading is permitted. Law RTRA sects 5 & 8        Parking at night 248) You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24 249) All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h). Law RVLR reg 24 250) Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow in a recognised parking place or lay-by. Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights. Law RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7) 251) Parking in fog. It is especially dangerous to park on the road in fog. If it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights or sidelights on. 252) Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox.

Related Post:

The Highway Code - Latest edition

The Highway Code - Rules for Tramways( 300-307 )

The Highway Code - Rules for level crossings