Knowing exactly what happens takes a lot of the fear out of test day. Here’s the whole thing start to finish — what to bring, the checks, the drive itself, and how faults actually work — so nothing catches you out.
~40 mintypical test length
15minors allowed
0serious/dangerous to pass
2docs to bring
Before you go: what to bring
Bring your provisional driving licence and make sure you have a car that meets the rules — most people use their instructor’s. If you turn up without your licence, or with a car that isn’t roadworthy or properly insured, the test can be cancelled and you may lose your fee. Get there in good time, use the loo, and try to have a normal lesson beforehand to warm up.
It’s more predictable than it feels. Here’s the running order on the day.
1Meet
Meeting the examiner
You wait in the centre, the examiner calls your name, checks your licence and asks you to sign in. They’ll walk out to the car with you.
2Eyesight
The eyesight check
Before you get in, you read a number plate from about 20 metres. Fail it and the test ends there — so wear your glasses or lenses if you need them.
3Q&A
“Show me, tell me” questions
One tell me question at the car before you drive, and one show me question while you’re driving — basic safety checks like lights, screenwash and demisting.
4Drive
The driving part
Around 40 minutes of general driving, one manoeuvre, possibly an emergency stop, and about 20 minutes of independent driving following a sat nav or signs.
5Result
Back at the centre
The examiner tells you your result there and then, runs through any faults, and gives you a pass certificate if you’ve passed. You can ask them to explain anything.
Calm
Instructor can sit in
You can choose to have your instructor or a supervisor ride along, and they can be there for the feedback at the end. Totally up to you.
The eyesight check and safety questions
The eyesight test is simple but non-negotiable: read a number plate at about 20 metres (or 20.5m for the older-style plates). The “tell me” question is asked at the car before you set off (e.g. “tell me how you’d check the brakes are working”), and the “show me” question comes while driving (e.g. “show me how you’d wash the windscreen”). Getting one wrong is only a single minor fault — it won’t fail you on its own.
The drive itself
You’ll do a mix of everyday roads — junctions, roundabouts, dual carriageways where possible — plus one manoeuvre and, on some tests, an emergency stop. For roughly 20 minutes you drive independently, following a sat nav or road signs. The examiner isn’t trying to trick you: drive the way you do on lessons, check your mirrors, and don’t be afraid to go steady.
How faults (minors and majors) work
There are three fault types. Driving (minor) faults aren’t dangerous — you can have up to 15 and still pass. Serious faults and dangerous faults are majors: one of either fails the test. Repeating the same minor over and over can add up to a serious fault too. So the goal is simple — no majors, and keep the minors down.
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The driving part lasts around 40 minutes. With the eyesight check, questions and paperwork, allow a bit longer at the test centre overall.
How many minor faults can you get and still pass?
Up to 15 driving (minor) faults. One serious or dangerous fault, however, means you don’t pass — so the priority is avoiding majors.
What do I need to bring to my driving test?
Your provisional driving licence and a suitable, roadworthy, insured car (usually your instructor’s). Without the licence or a valid car, the test can be cancelled.
Do I find out the result straight away?
Yes. The examiner tells you whether you’ve passed at the end of the test, explains any faults, and hands you a pass certificate if you’ve passed.
Based on the current DVSA practical driving test. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK. This guide is independent and not affiliated with the DVSA.
