Driving Test Information

About the Driving Test

The Driving Test for car drivers is about 40 minutes long. During this time the examiner will:

Check your eyesight by getting you to read a number plate at the required distance.

Ask you to show or tell them how to conduct certain vehicle safety checks

Direct you to drive around a test route while incorporating two of the following set manoeuvres and optionally the emergency stop.

Set manoeuvres:

Reverse parking behind a parked car or into a parking bay.

Reversing round a corner.

Turn in the road

Booking the driving test

You can obtain a driving test application form (DL26) from me, or any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a driving test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form. You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence, your theory test pass certificate number and your driving school code if you are being trained by a professional driving instructor. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card as confirmation within a few days.

Cancelling a test

You are required to give a minimum of three clear working days notice of your decision to cancel or postpone your test; otherwise you will lose your test fee. If you are unwell on the day of the test and can get a doctor to verify this, the DSA will refund the test fee.

At the test centre

You must take the following items with you to the test centre.

Your theory test pass certificate;

Both parts of your signed photocard driving licence or your signed driving licence and your passport.

It is extremely important that you arrive in good time at the test centre so that the above documents can be checked. If you arrive after the start time you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will lose your test fee.

Your test vehicle

The vehicle you intend to drive must be legally roadworthy, has a current MOT certificate if over the prescribed age and be fully covered by insurance for its present use and for you to drive. The driver will be asked to sign a declaration that the cars insurance is in order. The test will not be conducted if you are unwilling to do this. Hire cars are unlikely to be insured for this purpose.

Your test vehicle should also display a valid tax disc and L-plates or alternatively D-plates in Wales to the front and the rear. Your vehicle must also have a properly fitted head restraint and a fully functioning seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat, and an additional interior rear-view mirror for suitable use by the examiner. If you overlook any of the above your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee.

Saturday and evening tests

Some test centres operate Saturday tests and in summer, when it is light, evening test at an extra cost.