The Practical Driving Test.
The driving test is designed for you to show that you understand and can demonstrate your knowledge of,

• the theory of driving safely
• the Highway Code.

The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving throughout the test. You will be asked to carry out set exercises. 

The Test
The driving test is designed to see if you:

• can drive safely on different roads and in different traffic conditions and
• can demonstrate that you know the Highway Code

At the start of the test the examiner will ask you to do an eyesight test. If you fail this, your driving test will not continue.

The examiner will also ask you questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks. The list of safety check questions can be viewed here. Candidates will be asked two questions. One 'show me' and one 'tell me' question. If you get one or both questions wrong one driving fault will be recorded.

The Driving
The driving part of the test will last about 40 minutes. During this time you will be examined on your general driving. There will be one reversing exercise. This exercise will be chosen from:

• reverse parking (into bay or behind another vehicle)
• reversing around a corner and
• turning in the road

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

If during the test the examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users the test will be stopped immediately.

If the weather or light are bad your examiner will not carry out the test and another test appointment will be made for you free of any charge. You should call the telephone number on the appointment letter to check if your test will go ahead.

If you cannot make the booked test appointment or your vehicle breaks down you will have to take another test at your own cost.

Recent changes
Learner drivers will now be tested on independent driving as part of the practical test. During their test candidates will have to drive for about 10 minutes, either following traffic signs, following a series of directions or a combination of both. To help candidates understand where they're going the examiner may show them a diagram. It doesn't matter if candidates don't remember every direction or if they go the wrong way as that can happen to the most experienced drivers.'