Driving Tests
Practical Driving Test
The practical driving test Derby is aimed to test the safety of your driving in different road traffic conditions. You must be fully aware of the Highway Code and apply
this in all aspects of your driving, just as your Budget Driving Instructor shows you. There is no minimum requirement of the amount of driving lessons you have to take as everyone is different, some may need more driving lessons than others.
The DVSA practical driving test consists of three parts:
Eyesight Test
This is checked before you even sit in the drivers’ seat for your driving test. You must be able to read a registration plate from a distance of 20m. If you do not pass this part, you cannot continue with the rest of the practical test and this will count as a fail.
Vehicle Safety Questions
You will be asked two vehicle safety questions otherwise known as ‘show me, tell me’ questions during your driving test. One question will be to show how to carry out a safety check whilst driving, whilst the other question will be to explain how to carry out a vehicle safety task. There are 7 show me questions and 14 tell me questions. You will go through these with your driving instructor on the upcoming driving lessons before your driving test. If you cannot answer one or both of the questions, it will count as a minor fault on your driving test.
Driving Test
Your driving test lasts for around 40 minutes. You will be tested on the way you drive, if you can follow road signs and how safe you are whilst driving. The driving examiner will give you a set of directions to follow throughout the driving test and it will include everything you have learnt in your driving lessons. As well as assessing you on your driving on the roads, you will also be expected to do a reverse manoeuvre. These include reverse parallel parking, a reverse or forward bay park, and a reverse from the right-hand side of the road for two car lengths. These are done to test your reversing ability as this is just as important as forward driving. You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
Your driving test will also include 20 minutes of independent driving. The driving examiner will ask you to follow either a set of traffic signs or a series of directions from a satellite navigation system. The examiner will assess on how well you can read the road signs or directions and how safely you drive whilst doing this. If, however, you make a wrong turn, it will not count as a fault as the examiner is assessing you on your ability of driving, as long as you are driving safely. The driving examiner will help you get back onto the route if you do.
Throughout the practical driving test, you should drive in the way your driving instructor has taught you in your driving lessons. With their help and encouragement, you should be able to pass first time. You will pass your practical driving test if you have 15 or fewer minor faults. If you commit one major/serious fault, then you have automatically failed your driving test. Upon finishing your test, the examiner will let you know if you have passed or failed and will provide the necessary feedback.
If you pass your driving test, then the DVSA examiner will take your provisional licence and give you a certificate as proof of passing. You will then be sent out the full licence by post within 4 weeks. If you fail your driving test, you can apply to take a new test 10 working days later.
If you would like to take driving lessons from a winning team of driving instructors, then do not hesitate to call or email us.