What happens in a driving test?
What to expect on the day of your practical driving test
)
By Ben Welham
Last updated: 20 June 2025
It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before the day of your driving test – all drivers have been there.
That’s why we’ve broken down what you can expect on the day and how to overcome and conquer each section of the test.
With a bit of prep, you’ll have this in the bag.
Breakdown of what happens in a driving test
Eyesight check
Show me, tell me
General driving
Reversing
Independent driving
)
Before your test starts
What you need on the day
There are a number of things you’ll need to take with you on the day of your driving test, as stated on the UK Government’s website.
Your UK provisional driving licence
It might sound obvious, but it’s easy to get flustered and forget it, so make sure you bring your UK provisional driving licence with you on the day.
If you do lose it, make sure to reapply for a new driving licence, which can take up to 15 days to arrive. Rearrange your test if it’s not going to arrive in time – give yourself a few extra days' leeway just to be safe.
But if you don’t have a photocard licence at all, then you can also bring your passport and paper licence.
Your theory test pass certificate (if you have it)
If you have a printed copy of your theory test pass certificate, then great – bring it along. But if you don’t have it, not to worry because the examiner will check their records before starting the test.
A car
This is usually provided by your instructor (because it’s likely the car you’re most familiar with), but you can use a personal car if it meets the requirements.
Anything else?
We’d recommend bringing a bottle of water along for before and after the test (especially if it’s a hot day), your wallet/purse, phone and glasses if you need them to drive.
You cannot use or be distracted by any of the above during the test.
)
During the test
How long does the test last?
Now, there are five parts to the driving test, which are detailed below. Together, these should take around 40 minutes, but this will be 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended test after being banned from driving.
The test is the same whether you’re driving a manual or automatic car, so the following will apply to both types of test.
Eyesight check
The first task the examiner will ask you to do is identify a number plate from a distance of:
20 metres for vehicles with a new style of number plate (these start with two letters followed by two numbers, e.g. AB51 ABC)
20.5 metres for vehicles with the old style of number plate
If you fail to correctly read out these licence plates, it’ll be an instant failure and the test will end, so make sure to bring your glasses if you need them to drive.
Show me, tell me
The second part of the test is known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
The ‘tell me’ question will be asked before you start driving and could be anything about the car, i.e. ‘how do you know if the brakes are working?’ or ‘how do you check the tyres have a sufficient tread?’
The ‘show me’ question will be asked while you’re driving and could be something like: ‘how do you wash the rear windscreen’ or ‘show me how you’d demist the windscreen’
General driving
This is the bit of the test you’ve been practising for the most, so it should be the part you feel most comfortable doing, and if it isn’t, no need to worry – it’s okay to be a bit nervous as long as you know you can be safe behind the wheel.
But what can you expect? You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but no motorways, and the examiner will give you directions you should follow.
These routes aren’t published anywhere, so there’s no real planning you can do here.
Our advice would be to take your driving lessons near the location of the test school, and this should give you an idea of what to expect.
Reversing
In addition to driving forward, the examiner will also ask you to do one of the following:
Parallel park at the side of the road
Park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around two car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
Independent driving
You’ll also have 20 minutes of ‘independent driving’ where you’ll follow directions from a sat-nav or traffic signs.
The examiner will tell you which you need to follow, and if it’s the former, they’ll set up a sat-nav for you. You’re not allowed to use your own.
If you’re driving along and you can’t see any traffic signs, however, and they’ve been blocked by trees, the examiner will give you directions.
And if you take a wrong turn? The examiner won’t give you a fault for this and instead will help you get back on the route.
)
End of the test
At the end of your test, you’ll stop the car and be told your result, along with any faults you may have incurred.
There are three types of faults you can make during your test:
A dangerous fault (major) – involving danger to you or the examiner, property or the public
A serious fault (major) – doing something potentially dangerous
A driving fault (minor) – not particularly dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could move into the serious fault bracket
What happens if you pass your driving test
If you pass your test, the examiner will:
Tell you what faults you made (you’re allowed up to 15 minors)
Hand you a pass certificate
Ask you if you want your full GB driving licence sent to you automatically – give the examiner your provisional licence if you wish to do this
Note that if you don’t do this, you’ll need to apply for your full licence within two years of taking the test for it to still be valid, so we’d recommend automatically doing it to save time later.
This also means that the second you pass, you can start driving by yourself out on the open road. You don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
What happens if you fail your driving test
If you fail your driving test, the examiner will tell you what faults you made or terminate during the test itself if you perform a dangerous fault while driving.
You then need to book another test and pay again, but you have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
)
Driving test FAQs
What happens if you get stuck in traffic on your test?
If you get stuck in traffic – and it can happen – remain calm and follow the usual procedure. You won’t get penalised for being stuck in traffic, and the examiner will monitor how you cope and deal with the situation.
What happens if you crash?
This will count as a dangerous fault (major), and the test will be terminated immediately, and the examiner will check to see if everyone is safe.
What happens if someone crashes into you?
If this happens, the examiner will stop the test and ensure everyone is safe. If it’s clear you didn’t cause the crash, you won’t automatically fail, and the DVSA may even offer you a re-test since the incident prevented a fair assessment.
What happens if it snows?
If the weather is deemed unsafe to drive in, the test may be cancelled by the test centre. The DVSA will cancel tests if roads are icy, visibility is poor, or conditions are too dangerous for learners.
But make sure to call up in advance and never assume your test is cancelled automatically. If you don’t show up and the test still goes ahead, you’ll lose your fee.
Explore driving test content
The good news is, if you’re reading this, then you’re probably as prepared as you can be for your driving test.
We wish you the best of luck, and if you want some more advice, check out some more of our new driver tips and tricks.
Just passed? Why not shop for your dream first car here.
)