test advice

Preparing for your Driving Test

    You should:

  • Study the Rules of the Road booklet carefully
  • Seek the assistance of a good driving instructor
  • Practise driving as much as possible on all types of road and in all types of traffic situations, including driving at night
  • Build up your driving experience and confidence before applying for your test.

    Avoid:

  • Unnecessarily obstructing traffic or causing annoyance to other road users
  • Practising on driving test routes for the most part; congestion on these routes causes inconvenience to residents and test applicants alike.

    Day of the Test

    You should be present in the test centre before the appointed time of your test. If you are late, the test cannot be conducted and the fee will be forfeited.

    The driver tester will check your provisional licence to establish that it:

  • relates to you
  • is current
  • is for the correct category of vehicle

    You will be asked to read and sign a statement confirming that:

  • the vehicle insurance cover is in place and is adequate
  • your vehicle is in roadworthy condition - further information in relation to vehicle roadworthiness will be provided with your appointment letter

    Common Faults Contributing to Test Failure

    The following are the most common faults which give rise to candidates failing the driving test:

  • Inadequate observation moving off, at junctions, at roundabouts and when changing lanes
  • Failure to anticipate the actions of other drivers
  • Incorrect road position on the straight, on bends, turning left, turning right, at roundabouts, and when overtaking
  • Inadequate progress at junctions, roundabouts, on the straight, and when overtaking
  • Incorrect or inadequate use of mirrors and signals
  • Non-compliance with traffic controls, e.g. road signs and markings and traffic lights;
  • Incorrect inadequate or inappropriate use of vehicle controls, including gears, clutch; accelerator, steering, handbrake, footbrake, and secondary controls
  • Excessive speed for the road or traffic conditions
  • Failure to yield the right of way to others
  • Lack of competence in the reverse and turnabout manoeuvres



BMW Mini school car

    The Test

    The driving test is straightforward. For cars it will last about 40 minutes and will include:

  • questions on the Rules of the Road (including identifying road signs)
  • demonstrating hand signals
  • reversing round a corner
  • a turnabout in the road
  • a hill start
  • driving approximately five miles under a variety of road and traffic conditions

    Your driving will be assessed in the following situations:

  • moving off
  • driving in traffic
  • stopping
  • reversing round a corner
  • turning about to face in the opposite direction
  • starting on a hill
  • parking

    Aspects of your driving assessed will include:

  • road positioning
  • overtaking and passing
  • anticipation and observation
  • use of mirrors and signals
  • progress
  • speed
  • compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings
  • use of the vehicle controls (accelerator, clutch, gears, brakes and steering)
  • use of secondary controls such as wipers, demisters, etc.
  • compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings

    Recent enhancements to the test mean that you should ensure that:

  • You know how to operate the secondary controls, such as windscreen wipers and washers, demisters, rear window heater, lights and air-conditioning where fitted. You must also know how to adjust the seat, seat-belt and mirrors and ensure the doors are closed;
  • In the case of a motorcycle test, you must be able to remove the machine from its stand. You must also know how to adjust the helmet;
  • In the case of a vehicle and trailer, you must know how to uncouple and recouple the trailer from/to the drawing vehicle;
  • In the case of a heavy vehicle test, you must know how to check the power-assisted braking and steering systems, and how to use any retarder or exhaust brake as fitted to the vehicle;
  • In the case of a bus test, you must also know how to operate the fuel shut-off valve, the main power switch, and how to manually open and close any powered doors as fitted to the vehicle.

    Passengers other than the driver tester and/or Department officers are not permitted to accompany you in the vehicle during the practical test. The tester may be accompanied on test for training/supervisory purposes. While the accompanying officer may take notes, s/he has no input into the conduct or outcome of the test.