The Driving Standards Agency
Practical Driving Test.

Basic Requirements

Provisional Licence

Before you learn to drive you will need to obtain a Provisional Driving Licence. You can apply for one at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) using an Application Form (Form D1) which is available from any Post Office.

Minimum Age

Currently in the UK you have to be 17 years of age to obtain a Provisional Licence to drive a car or ride a motorcycle (unless in receipt of a full disability allowance, when you can obtain a Provisional Licence at 16 years of age).

Eyesight Requirements

Before the Practical Driving Test, the examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. The distance requirement for the old style number plate (e.g. A635 WYT) is 20.5 metres and 20 metres for the new style (e.g.BS52 SOM).

The Practical Driving Test

When you go for your Practical Test you must take:-

You should allow plenty of time, I will get you to the Test Centre about 15 minutes before your appointment time.

I RECOMMEND THAT YOU HAVE AN HOUR LESSON BEFORE YOUR TEST TO SETTLE YOU DOWN AND ENSURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN THE CAR.

Before you do any driving you'll be asked to perform an eyesight check (see above) and then be asked some vehicle safety questions known as "Show Me, Tell Me" (see below). You'll then be tested on your general driving ability, including two slow speed manoeuvring exercises.

The Practical Driving Test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout your test the examiner will be looking for evidence that you have reached an overall safe standard of driving. There will be no surprises and the examiner will not try to catch you out, he or she will be looking at your general driving skills and your ability to carry out two of the four set manoeuvres. Reversing into a parking bay, parallel parking, turning the car in the road and reversing round a corner.
You will have covered all these required skills during your course with me at The Bradshaw School of Motoring and will have practiced all the manoeuvres many times.

You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass the test, but 16 or more minor faults results in a fail. However, if you commit just one serious or dangerous fault, you will have failed to reach the required standard.

Show Me, Tell Me

Here are some examples of what the examiner might ask in the "Show Me, Tell Me" part of the test.

◊ Engine Oil
EXAMINER: "Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil."
YOU: Identify dipstick / check oil level against the min/max marker.

◊ Power Steering
EXAMINER: "How you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."
YOU: 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 working.

◊ Engine Coolant
EXAMINER: "Open the bonnet, identify where you would check for engine coolant and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level."
YOU: Identify engine coolant, check against min/max marker.

◊ Parking Brake
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear."
YOU: Demonstrate by applying parking brake, when fully applied it secures the vehicle and is not at the end of the working travel.

◊ Windscreen Washer
EXAMINER: "Open the bonnet, identify the windscreen washer reservoir and tell me how you would check for the correct level."
YOU: Identify reservoir and point out level markings.

◊ Horn
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check the horn is working (off road)."
YOU: Check is carried out by using the control (with ignition on if necessary).

◊ Brake Fluid
EXAMINER: "Open the bonnet, identify the brake fluid reservoir and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."
YOU: Identify the reservoir, check level against min/max marker.

◊ Indicators
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the indicators are working."
YOU: Applying the hazard warning switch and check that they are working by walking around the vehicle.

◊ Brake Lights
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working."
YOU: Apply the brake pedal and make use of reflections in windows, other surfaces or ask someone to help.

◊ Brakes
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."
YOU: They should be tested as you set off. The brakes should not feel spongy or slack and the vehicle should not pull to one side.

◊ Headlights and Tail Lights
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the headlights ∧ tail lights are working before starting a journey."
YOU: Operate the switch and walk round the vehicle.

◊ Tyre Pressure
EXAMINER: "Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked."
YOU: Consult the manufacturer’s guide, using a reliable gauge check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, not forgetting the spare and remembering to refit the valve caps.

◊ Tyre Condition
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure they have enough tread,and that their general condition is safe to use on the road."
YOU: Check for cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

◊ Head Restraint
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash."
YOU: 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. Some restraints might not be adjustable.

◊ Washers and Wipers
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers."
YOU: Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).

◊ Demisters
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens."
YOU: Set all relevant controls including: fan, temperature, air direction/source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to to be started for this demonstration.

◊ Fog Lights
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them (no need to exit vehicle)."
YOU: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary) check warning light is on. Explain use.

◊ Anti Lock Braking System (ABS)
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with you anti lock braking system."
YOU: Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.

◊ Dipped and Main Headlights
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car."
YOU: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

This may seem a little daunting but you will cover all this in your course with
The Bradshaw School of Motoring


Then you’ll be able to do this

All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.

To arrange to pass your driving test

You can telephone - 079 56 526 568 or e-mail by clicking here

Please mention that you’ve seen the Bradshaw School of Motoring website