Booking The Test
After passing your Theory Test you may apply for the Practical Driving Test. This will be when you can drive confidently and safely. Your driving instructor will advise you when to do this.

Your instructor can apply for you, or you can do it yourself by ringing 0870 010 1372. Note: Make sure you have agreed dates with your instructor, and have their ADI number and business ID. This prevents double-booking, or booking at other times when they are unavailable.

Taking The Test
You will need to take your signed, valid licence to the test centre. If you have the new Photocard licence make sure to take along both the Photocard and the Counterpart. If you have any other type of licence, make sure you have suitable forms of signed photo ID, e.g. your passport. Your instructor can advise you.

You will need to read a number plate at 20.5m/67 feet (old style) or 20m/66 feet (new style). You may read the number plate with glasses or contact lenses, but remember - if you need them to read the number plate you must wear them whilst driving too.

This is followed by the Car Maintenance Practical Test.

The driving part of the test lasts approximately 40 minutes. There are many different test routes. Each route is designed to be as similar as possible. They include busy town traffic, dual carriageways, different junction styles and roundabouts.

During your test if you make fewer than 15 minor driving faults you will pass. If you commit any serious or dangerous driving fault, or more than 15 minor driving faults, this will result in a fail.

The driving test also now includes parking exercises, either in a car park or on the road. You may be asked to carry out a Controlled Stop exercise (emergency stop). Also included will be either a Turn in the road or a Corner reverse, usually to the left.

If you have had enough lessons and practice the practical test will be straightforward. Do listen to your instructor if he or she advises you to have more practice. They only want the best for you.