1. Cockpit drill

Ready for take-off? This is your checklist!

Doors

Parking brake

Seat position

Head restraint

Steering wheel position

Interior and exterior mirrors

Seat belt

Fuel level

Precautions before starting the engine:

Parking brake (again)

Gear stick in neutral

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2. Safety checks

Your car needs to be in good working order before you turn the key in the ignition. These are the things you need to check:

Petrol

Oil

Water, screen wash, coolant and brake fluid

Electrics

Tyres

Brakes

Steering

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3. Moving away and stopping

Always use the following routines:

MSM (Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre)

PSL (Position – Speed – Look)

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4. Signalling

You need to:

Give clear, well-timed signals when necessary

Know and understand the difference between fog lights, reversing lights, indicator light and brake lights

Respond safely to signals from other road users

Understand arm/hand signals given by other road users or any official directing traffic

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5. Position on the road and lane discipline

To make sure you always have a safe position on the road, you need to:

Use the MSM (Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre) and PSL (Position – Speed – Look) routines

Understand how other road users such as cyclists and lorries position themselves on the road

Plan ahead and make sure you move into the correct lane in time

Understand how a wide or narrow road affects your position on the road

Make sure you remain in the correct lane when driving around roundabouts and position on bends

Take up the correct lane or position on one-way streets

Leave enough clearance when passing stationary vehicles and obstructions

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6. Mirrors and blind spots

You should always check your mirrors before changing speed or direction. Here is a non-exhaustive list of example situations:

Stopping

Signalling

Overtaking

Changing lanes

Turning right or left

Changing speed

Passing a parked vehicle

You should turn around to look in the blind spot when you’re stationary, for example before:

Moving off

Opening your door

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7. Junctions and roundabouts

Do you know the difference between a Y-junction and crossroads, or a roundabout and an unmarked junction?

When approaching a junction or roundabout, you’ve got to slow down in time so you won’t have to brake harshly if you need to stop.

Always watch out for the more vulnerable road users such as children and cyclists.

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8. Traffic

Can you deal safely with meeting, crossing and overtaking traffic?

Do you know when it’s illegal to overtake another vehicle?

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9. Speed

What the appropriate speed is depends on:

Official speed limit

Condition of the road

Weather

Traffic

Presence of other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists

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10. Controlled Stop (Emergency Stop)

Hopefully, you won’t use this skill often because your eyes are always on the road and you can identify hazards well in advance. If you do need to brake quickly, it is important to keep both hands on the wheel and try to stop in a straight line.

If your car doesn’t have ABS brakes, you run the risk of skidding. If this starts to happen, fully release your brake pedal and then reapply. If the rear of your car is sliding sideways, you can make up for this by gently steering in the same direction. Press the clutch fully down just before you stop to avoid stalling the engine.

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11. Parallel parking

The internet is awash with videos and pictures of drivers making a fool of themselves while parking. You need a lot of attention, precision, patience and practice to master this skill.

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12. Hazard awareness

You will need to complete a hazard perception test when you take the theory test and you need to pass both parts of the test at the same time. When you are driving you will need to be constantly using your perception skills to spot hazards and be able to plan to deal with them safely. The test is conducted online by showing you clips of road situations. You need to identify any developing hazards and click the mouse – Simple!

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13. Turning your car around

If you want to turn your car around to face the opposite direction, you’ll have to choose between:

Doing a 'U-turn'

Reversing into a side street

Carrying out the '3-point turn'

You can complete a 'U Turn' in wide roads, by utilising the mouth of a junction opposite you or by turning at a major junction or traffic lights. If the manoeuvre is not allowed in the location, then there will be signs prohibiting this.

In order to safely reverse into a side street:

Choose a safe, quiet side road or better still, drive round a block of side streets

Avoid reversing from a side road into a main road

Use all your mirrors before you start reversing

Check the blind spots behind you for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users

Look mainly through the rear window while reversing slowly

Check the front of your car before turning, as it will swing out and check blind spots again!

Always be prepared to stop and wait for other road users or pedestrians

When carrying out '3-point turn':

Keep checking your mirrors and blind spots during this manoeuvre

Choose a safe, legal and spacious spot

Check the road in both directions to make sure it is safe before you move across

Move slowly and steer briskly

Avoid dry steering: start to turn your wheels in the opposite direction just before you stop

When completing the reverse part of this manoeuvre look over your left shoulder through the rear window

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14. Planning and independent driving

Once you’re familiar with all the different manoeuvres, your instructor will give you the chance to experience what it will be like to drive after you have passed your test. Here’s some tips:

Look and plan well ahead

Don’t panic or change direction suddenly if you take a wrong turning

Pay attention to traffic signs and road markings

Don’t forget to use the MSM and PSL routines

Give signals in good time

Use the correct lane

Pay attention to other road users

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15. Following route directions

You will need to be able to follow route directions in several ways:

Directions given by your instructor

Directions given by the examiner on your driving test

Directions given by road signs

Directions given by a satellite navigation device

Your instructor will use clear concise instructions so you will never be confused and the examiner will do the same.

You need to be able to follow the directions given by road signs. You will need to choose the correct lane yourself and decide on which signals to use if necessary. You may need to demonstrate you can do this on your driving test.

Satellite navigation devices can be very useful particularly when you are driving in a strange area and looking for a specific address. You may need to demonstrate you can do this on your driving test.

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As of 4th June 2018, learner drivers will be permitted to drive on the motorways, providing they are accompained by a registered and approved driving instructor, and driving in a dual controlled car.

We want to ensure you pass your driving test with minimum fuss and hassle. With independent driving introduced to the practical driving test, it’s important you still remember the fundamental things you should and shouldn’t be doing on your driving lessons and driving test!

About the questions

During your driving test, the examiner will ask you one:

‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving

‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving

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"Tell me" questions

Q1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

A1. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

A2. Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

Q3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

A3. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

Q4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A4. No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

Q5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

A5. Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Q6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A6. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Q7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

A7. Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

Q8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

A8. Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

Q9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

A9. If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.

Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

A10. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

Q11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

A11. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

Q12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

A12. Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

Q13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

A13. Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Q14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

A14. Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

Note: you need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.

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"Show me" questions

Q1. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working?

A1. Apply the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functionality of all indicators. (You may need to switch the ignition on, but do not start the engine.)

Q2. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car? (I can assist you.)

A2. Operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (You may need to switch the ignition on, but do not start engine.)

Q3. When it's safe to do so, can you show me and explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey?

A3. If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q4. When it's safe to do so, can you show me, how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear?

A4. Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of its working life.

Q5. When it's safe to do so, can you open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil?

A5. Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.

Q6. When it's safe to do so, can you open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level?

A6. Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Q7. When it's safe to do so, can you open the bonnet and identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid?

A7. Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

Q8. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would check that the horn is working? (Off road only.)

A8. Check is carried out by using control usually on steering wheel. (Turn on the ignition if necessary.)

Q9. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers?

A9. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen. (Turn the ignition on if necessary.)

Q10. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively? (This should include both front and rear screens.)

A10. Set all relevant controls including fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

Q11. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them? (No need to exit vehicle.)

A11. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

Q12. When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car?

A12. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

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Note: the most up to date questions, as well their corresponding answers and guidance videos can be found on the gov.uk DVSA page.

Booking your test

You can book your practical test only after you have passed your theory test. For more information about the theory test, click here.

More information about booking your practical test can be foud here.

To pass the driving test, you drive safely in different road and traffic conditions and show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive. The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test. A copy of this can be found here.

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Changing or checking your test details

You can change the date of your practical test after you have made a booking here.

If you have lost the confirmation email, you can check the details of your driving test here.

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Rebooking your test You can book another driving test if you have failed and want to resit it, but you have to wait at least 10 working days after you have failed.

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Note: the most up to date information about booking your driving test, as well as information regarding what to take to your test, what happens during your test, the driving faults you will be penalised for and what the results of your test mean, can be found on the gov.uk driving test page.