Wright Way to Learn

When you have passed the theory test you can apply for your practical driving test. But first consult me to mutually arrange a date and time that suits us both. (DSA booking system permitting).

Are you at test standard?

If you can drive and control your car safely and smoothly, with full awareness of other road users and consideration for the road, weather and traffic conditions, and can competently perform all the slow manoeuvres. With only the bare instruction from me then the answer is probably "yes".

Your test vehicle

The car you use for the driving test must be fitted with the appropriate mirrors, headrests, L-plates, Tax and the appropriate insurance. The vehicle also needs to be in a clean and good working condition capable of normal performance for that type of vehicle. If you are learning with Wright Way to Learn you will have my car to take your test in, which meets all of the above.

Documents to bring with you to test

1. Both parts of your photo driving licence. (This must include the paper counterpart)
2. Your theory test pass certificate.
3. Your conformation letter from the DSA

Presenting yourself for test

We will arrive at the test centre in plenty of time and try to relax (do not turn the examiner into some mystical three headed monster, all of the examiners I have met only have one head and are very normal people). Because you will have trained with Wright Way to Learn you will already be at a good standard so will have confidence in your own abilities. All the examiners wants to see you do is drive without being a hazard to any other road user.

The Driving Test

After a brief introduction and while the examiner is checking your documents, you will be asked to sign a declearation about the vehicle and yourself. After this you will be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres. The examiner will then ask you a "Show me" question and a "Tell me" question (see Show me/ Tell Me). After this they will do a quick spot check around the vehicle and get into the front passenger's seat and explain briefly to you how the test works. You'll be asked to to start the car and move away, and you're off!

You have about 35-45 minutes in the car; that time includes two of the five possible slow manoeuvres, (i) turn in the road, (ii) reversing round a corner on the left, (iii) reversing round a corner on the right, (iv) reverse parallel parking behind a car, (v) reverse bay parking in a car park (usually at the test centre). You may also be asked to demonstrate an emergency stop.

During the test it is likely that you will be asked to demonstrate a hill-start and an angled start. The rest of the time is taken up with general driving on a chosen route that will try and cover different types of road and traffic conditions.

You will be expected to deal competently and safely with every situation that you find, but some minor driver faults are permitted. These are errors that do not in themselves create an actual or potential danger to other road users. They are recorded on the examiners test report form, and if you make 16 or more of these driver faults you will fail the test. You will also fail if you make a serious or a dangerous error.

This may sound like a lot to do but you have been trained to a high standard most of the above will be second nature.

At the end of the test

When you have returned to the test centre and turned the engine off the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed. If you're passed, your driving licence will be needed for the examiner to fill in the pass certificate. They will give this to you and take both parts of your licence and send them to the DVLA, who will return your full licence in a few days. You can drive in the meantime providing you keep hold of your pass certificate.

Booking your Pratical Test

There are three ways that you can do this, call the Driving Standards Agency on 0300 200 1122, or book online using the DSA website, www.dsa.gov.uk or finally you can get a form from me which you can send off to the DSA. The current test fee is £62.00.