- About a month before your test have your eyesight checked; you need to be able to read a number plate from about 20 meters away.
- On the day of your test, bring your Driving Licence, Theory Test Pass certificate, and your appointment letter, if you have it. Also, remember your glasses if you need them.
- Some people like to have a lesson before the test as this helps to get you focused. However, this may not suit everyone; if you tire easily or have difficulty keeping concentration, you might be better off going straight to the test centre.
- Get to the test centre in good time, so you won’t feel rushed or flustered. Feel free to bring a bottle of water with you to keep in the car. When the examiner has done the paperwork, he/she will ask if you want your instructor or accompanying driver to go with you on the test.
- Before you start, the examiner will ask you two ‘show me, tell me’ questions about the car. One question will involve showing the examiner how to do something, e.g. check your indicators are working. The other will be to tell him/her how to do something, e.g. check tyre pressure. If you get one or both questions wrong, you will receive one minor driving fault.
- The test lasts 40-45 minutes. Make sure you concentrate on everything that’s going on around you and drive with confidence. Try not to mark yourself. If you think you’ve made a mistake, stay calm and carry on driving. If the examiner asks you to do something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask.
- You will be asked to perform an emergency stop and one reversing manoeuvre. During your manoeuvre, go slowly and remember that good observation is very important.
- You will be asked to do 10 minutes of independent driving. The examiner will give you about three directions at once, and you will then have to follow them, or he/she may tell you to follow road signs to a particular place. This is to make sure you can safely navigate while you drive and make decisions on your own.
- If you stall the car, don’t panic! Stay confident, follow your procedure to restart the engine, and move off safely.
- To pass your test, you can make up to 15 minor driving errors but no serious or dangerous faults (no majors).
Provided by Ann McKiver, Approved Driving Instructor.
