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What happens during the test? 

 

Eyesight check

The 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. Check out the article from Specsavers on why Eyesight checks are so important! https://www.newdriverni.com/eyesight-with-specsavers/

Vehicle safety questions (Show Me Tell Me Questions)

These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. The examiner will ask you one ‘show me’ question, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check. You’ll also be asked one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check. (Check out our video on the link)

What happens during the test?

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow.

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.

You will then be examined on your general driving and on one reversing exercise. The reversing exercise will be chosen from:

  • reversing around a corner
  • turning in the road
  • reverse parking, either on road or into a parking bay

You will also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
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.

Independent driving explained

Examiners give candidates step-by-step instructions during the test, apart from a section where the candidate will be asked to drive independently.
In the independent driving section of the test, you’ll have to drive independently by either following:

  • traffic signs
  • a series of directions
  • a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

After the practical test

When the driving test is over, you can call your instructor over (if they didn’t go with you on your test) so that they can hear the result and feedback with you. This feedback is beneficial for your ongoing development whether you have passed or failed.

Taking someone with you on your driving test

This involves an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), parent or friend sitting in on the test to observe and listen to the examiner’s feedback with a view to providing critical support for the learner and newly qualified driver’s ongoing development and lifelong learning.

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