Arriving at the Test Centre

Your driving test begins the moment you arrive at the test centre, even though the formal assessment hasn't started yet. Here's what to expect.

Plan to arrive around 10 minutes before your appointment time. Your instructor will usually drive you to the centre and park up in the car park. Most test centres have a small waiting room where candidates sit before being called.

You'll need to bring:

  • Your photocard provisional driving licence (essential — no licence means no test)
  • Your theory test pass certificate or confirmation number

The examiner will come to the waiting room and call your name. They'll check your licence, confirm your details, and ask you to sign a declaration confirming the car you're using is insured and roadworthy. They'll also check that your car meets the requirements — it must have an internal rear-view mirror for the examiner, a proper head restraint, and L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) displayed front and rear.

The examiner will then walk you to the car. Your instructor can sit in the back seat during the test if you'd like — many candidates find this reassuring, though the instructor must remain silent throughout.

Can my driving instructor sit in on my test?
Yes, your driving instructor (or any accompanying driver) can sit in the back seat during your practical driving test. They must remain completely silent and cannot intervene in any way. Many candidates find their instructor's presence reassuring, but it's entirely your choice. Some people prefer to do the test alone to avoid distraction.

The Eyesight Check

Before you even get in the car, the examiner will conduct the eyesight test. This is the very first part of the assessment and it's pass or fail on its own.

The examiner will ask you to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres (approximately 5 car lengths). For new-style number plates, the characters are slightly smaller, and the distance is 20 metres. For older-style plates, it's 20.5 metres.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, wear them from the start. You can't attempt the test without them and then put them on if you fail — the first attempt is what counts.

If you can't read the number plate, the examiner will measure the distance more precisely and give you a second attempt. If you still can't read it, the test ends immediately. You'll fail, lose your fee, and the DVSA will notify the DVLA, who may revoke your provisional licence until you pass a formal eyesight test.

This sounds harsh, but it's a critical safety check. If you have any doubts about your eyesight, get it tested at an optician before your test date.

How far away is the number plate for the eyesight test?
You need to read a number plate from 20 metres away (approximately 20 yards or 5 car lengths). If you usually wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, make sure you're wearing them when you arrive. If you fail the eyesight test, the driving test ends immediately and the DVLA will be notified, which could affect your provisional licence.

Show Me, Tell Me Questions

Once you're in the car, the examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions, known as Show Me, Tell Me questions.

A "Tell Me" question asks you to explain how you'd carry out a safety check. For example: "Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey." You answer verbally.

A "Show Me" question asks you to demonstrate a safety check while driving. For example: "When it's safe to do so, show me how you'd wash and clean the rear windscreen." You physically operate the controls.

The Tell Me question is asked before you drive off. The Show Me question is asked once you're on the road (the examiner will choose an appropriate moment, like a straight, quiet road).

Each incorrect answer is one minor fault. Getting both wrong means you start the driving portion with 2 minors — not ideal, but not the end of the world. There's a full list of possible questions on the DVSA website, and there are only about 19 in total, so it's well worth memorising them all.

Common questions include:

  • Tell me how you'd check the power steering is working
  • Tell me how you'd check the headlights and tail lights are working
  • Show me how you'd switch on the rear fog light
  • Show me how you'd set the rear demister
What are the Show Me Tell Me questions on the driving test?
Show Me Tell Me questions are vehicle safety questions asked at the start of your driving test. You'll get one 'Tell Me' question (answered verbally before driving) and one 'Show Me' question (demonstrated while driving). They cover topics like checking tyre pressure, testing brakes, operating demisters, and checking fluid levels. Each wrong answer counts as one minor fault. The DVSA publishes the full list of approximately 19 possible questions.

The Driving Portion

The main driving section lasts approximately 40 minutes and will take you through a variety of road types and traffic situations. The examiner will give you clear directions throughout.

You'll typically encounter:

  • Roundabouts — both mini and multi-lane. The examiner wants to see correct lane choice, signalling, mirror checks, and smooth entry/exit. See our roundabout rules guide for a refresher.
  • Junctions — T-junctions, crossroads, and staggered junctions. Observation is critical here.
  • Dual carriageways — joining and leaving, matching traffic speed, using mirrors
  • Various speed zones — 20, 30, 40, and sometimes 50 or 60 mph roads
  • Pedestrian crossings — responding correctly to different crossing types
  • Traffic lights — including right-turn filters and box junctions

The examiner will give directions like "at the next roundabout, take the second exit" or "at the end of the road, turn left." Their instructions will be clear and given with enough time for you to react safely. If you don't hear or understand a direction, always ask them to repeat it — this is not a fault.

You may also be asked to pull over and move off at various points, including pulling up on the left behind a parked car, and moving off from behind a parked car (requiring a good check of your blind spot).

How long does the driving test last?
The driving portion of the test lasts approximately 40 minutes. The total time at the test centre is usually about an hour when you include the waiting time, eyesight check, Show Me Tell Me questions, and receiving your result at the end. The driving portion covers a variety of roads including residential streets, main roads, roundabouts, and sometimes dual carriageways.

Independent Driving Section

Around 20 minutes of your test will be spent on independent driving. The examiner will explain when this section starts and how it will work.

In approximately 4 out of 5 tests, you'll follow directions from a sat nav that the examiner provides and sets up on the dashboard. In the remaining tests, you'll follow road signs and verbal directions given by the examiner at the start of the section.

If using the sat nav:

  • The examiner will set it up — you don't need to touch it
  • It shows a simple map with your route highlighted
  • Audio directions are turned off — you read the screen
  • Glance at it briefly, like checking a mirror — don't stare

If following traffic signs:

  • The examiner will tell you the destination (e.g., "follow signs to the town centre")
  • You need to read and follow road signs to navigate
  • If there are no signs visible, the examiner will direct you

Remember: going the wrong way is not a fault. If you miss a turn or take the wrong exit, just continue driving safely and the examiner will get you back on route. The independent driving section tests your driving, not your navigation.

Do I have to use a sat nav on my driving test?
You don't have to use your own sat nav — the examiner provides one. About 80% of tests use the examiner's sat nav for the independent driving section, while the other 20% use road signs instead. You won't know which method you'll get until the test. The sat nav shows a simple visual map of your route, and you just need to glance at it occasionally while keeping your eyes on the road.

The Manoeuvre

During the test, you'll be asked to carry out one reversing manoeuvre. The examiner will find a suitable location and explain exactly what they want you to do. The four possible manoeuvres are:

  • Parallel parking: Pull up alongside a parked car, then reverse into the space behind it
  • Bay parking (forward): Drive into a parking bay, then reverse out
  • Bay parking (reverse): Reverse into a parking bay, then drive out
  • Pull up on the right: Pull over to the right side of the road, reverse two car lengths in a straight line, then rejoin traffic

You won't know which manoeuvre you'll be asked to do until the examiner tells you during the test. This is why it's essential to practise all four until you're confident with each one.

The examiner is looking for:

  • Control: Slow, smooth movement with good clutch or brake control
  • Accuracy: Finishing reasonably close to the kerb / within the bay lines
  • Observation: Checking mirrors and blind spots throughout
  • Awareness: Reacting to other road users (stopping if someone approaches)

You can correct your position during a manoeuvre. If you realise you're going slightly off, pull forward and adjust. This shows good awareness and is not a fault. For tips on each manoeuvre, see our parallel parking guide.

What manoeuvres could I be asked to do on the driving test?
You will be asked to perform one of four possible reversing manoeuvres: parallel parking, forward bay parking (drive in, reverse out), reverse bay parking (reverse in, drive out), or pulling up on the right and reversing two car lengths. You won't know which one until the examiner asks you during the test, so you need to be prepared for all four. The examiner will give you clear instructions before you begin.

How the Marking System Works

The examiner records faults on a standardised marking sheet throughout the test. Understanding how this works can help reduce your anxiety about making mistakes.

There are three types of fault:

  • Minor fault (driving fault): A mistake that isn't potentially dangerous. Examples include stalling at a junction with no traffic nearby, signalling slightly late, or a delayed mirror check. You can accumulate up to 15 minor faults and still pass.
  • Serious fault: A mistake that is potentially dangerous or demonstrates a consistent pattern of poor driving. One serious fault means an automatic fail.
  • Dangerous fault: A mistake that causes actual danger to you, the examiner, another road user, or property. One dangerous fault means an automatic fail.

The marking sheet is divided into categories such as "Use of mirrors", "Junctions", "Positioning", "Steering", and so on. If you accumulate three or more minors in the same category, this can sometimes be upgraded to a serious fault if the examiner judges it shows a habitual problem — but this is at the examiner's discretion, not an automatic rule.

For a detailed breakdown of faults, read our guide to common driving test faults.

What does the examiner look for on the driving test?
The examiner assesses your ability to drive safely and independently. Specifically, they look for: effective observation (checking mirrors and blind spots), appropriate speed for conditions, correct road positioning, proper use of signals, smooth and safe manoeuvres, compliance with road signs and markings, and good judgement at junctions and roundabouts. They record faults on a standardised marking sheet in categories like mirrors, junctions, steering, and positioning.

Getting Your Results

When the test is over, the examiner will direct you back to the test centre car park. Once you've parked and turned off the engine, they'll tell you whether you've passed or failed.

If you've passed:

  • The examiner will congratulate you and give you a pass certificate
  • This certificate acts as a temporary full driving licence, valid for driving in the UK until your photocard arrives (usually within 3 weeks)
  • The examiner will go through any minor faults you accrued so you can learn from them
  • Your provisional licence will be retained and sent to the DVLA, who will post your full licence

If you've failed:

  • The examiner will explain the faults that caused the fail, using the marking sheet
  • They'll talk through what happened and give you advice on what to work on
  • You'll receive a copy of the marking sheet to take away — this is incredibly useful for your instructor to plan your next steps
  • You can rebook another test after a minimum of 10 working days

Whichever the outcome, the examiner will be professional and constructive. They genuinely want candidates to pass, and their feedback is designed to help you improve.

Once you leave the test centre, whether celebrating or commiserating, take a moment to reflect on the experience. Every test — pass or fail — makes you a better, more experienced driver.

Want to prepare for every aspect of the test? Try DriveSim to practise real test centre routes in a realistic 3D simulator.

How quickly do you find out if you passed your driving test?
You find out your result immediately at the end of the test. Once you've parked back at the test centre, the examiner will tell you whether you've passed or failed and go through your faults. You don't have to wait for a letter or email. If you pass, you receive a paper pass certificate on the spot that acts as a temporary licence. Your full photocard licence arrives by post within approximately 3 weeks.