Your Practical Driving Test
According to the DSA, “Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice.” This reinforces the importance of preparation and practice before embarking on your driving practical test.
There are numerous driving practical test tips and advice that will help you leading up to the big day; however the key things to remember are what your examiner will be looking out for. For example, they will be observing an overall high and safe standard of driving, particularly when executing certain manoeuvres and exercises.
As well as this, your practical driving test will commence with an eyesight check and some key vehicle safety questions. You should be familiar with the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook beforehand in order to ensure you can answer this ‘Show me, tell me’ part of the test. You will also need a clear and coherent understanding of the
Highway Code and the elements covered in your
driving theory test.
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes, and if you are planning on using your own car, we recommend you check the test vehicle requirements on the Direct Gov website prior to your test. Some vehicles can’t be used for safety reasons, which could result in you losing your test fee.
Independent Driving
From the 4 October 2010, an ‘Independent driving’ section will be introduced to the practical driving test in the UK. This means that at any point during your test your examiner will request that you drive to a specific destination; either by following a sequence of directions, road signs; or both, for approximately ten minutes.
However; don’t start panicking just yet! Your examiner may offer you a diagram/map to highlight your route, but it’s not essential you follow these exact directions, just as long as you arrive safely and roughly within the allocated time.
For further advice and tips on the DSA’s driving practical test or you’d like to book your test today, please visit
www.direct.gov.uk. Good luck from everyone at RED!