The
Examiner will walk around your car. He will take details
of the make and model on his driving test report sheet.
The Examiner will also check to see if the vehicle is
roadworthy. He will check for no broken lights, the windscreen
wipers are in place, the tyres comply with the legal requirements.
Make sure you don't have a dirty windscreen, in fact make
sure that whole car looks clean, ensure also that the
'L' plates are properly displayed. If the Examiner is
happy he will join you in the car.
The
Practical Driving Test
The Examiner will tell you that he wishes you to follow
the road ahead unless traffic signs direct otherwise,
or unless he asks you to turn. You will be expected to
know and act on all traffic signs and signals, as well
as signals given by other drivers. Then he will ask you
to drive away when you are ready. Take proper precautions
before starting the engine this means, making sure that
the handbrake is on and the gear lever or selector (If
driving an automatic) is in neutral. Adjust the mirrors
if necessary and if appropriate look over your shoulder(s)
before moving away
The
Examiner will be marking your performance on his sheet.
You have to avoid failure points if you are to pass your
test. Throughout the test the Examiner will be looking
for reasonably smooth use of the controls. So you are
expected to Make proper use of /accelerator/clutch/gears/foot
brake/handbrake/steering.
During
the whole test the Examiner will be building up a picture
of your ability and common sense as a driver. The Examiner
will expect you to suit your speed to the road and traffic
conditions. You have to choose a proper speed for general
driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction, roundabouts
etc.
Mirrors
and signals have to be used correctly. The Examiner will
be checking that signals are given in good time and that
the correct signals are given. The Examiner will also
be watching to see how you deal with other road users.
Show awareness and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians/cyclists/drivers.
And you need to know how to Overtake/meet/cross the path
of/other vehicles safely
At
junctions the Examiner will be watching to see that you
apply the M.S.M routine. You have to know how to deal
with different junctions. Dealing with other road users
means you must allow adequate clearance to stationary
vehicles
Every
test route includes a pedestrian crossing, so you have
to take appropriate action at pedestrian crossings.
The
Examiner will ask you to stop at various places during
the driving test. Whenever you stop, you should do so
in a safe place. The Examiner will not trap you by asking
you to stop in a illegal place, but you have to select
a safe position for normal stops. It will be after one
of these "stops" when the Examiner will ask
you to do one of the many special exercises. In one in
three tests you will be required to stop the vehicle in
emergency/promptly/under control/making proper use of
brakes. The Examiner will show you what he intends to
do in order for you to stop quickly at his request, usually
this means that he will put is hand up in front of him
and say STOP.
You
will be asked to do 2 of the following 4 manoeuvres:-
Reverse
into a limited opening either to the right or left/under
control/with due regard for other road users. - The
Reverse around the corner
Turn
round by means of forward and reverse gears/under control/with
due regard for other road users - The Turn in
the Road
Reverse
park in reverse gear/under control/with due regard for
other road users - Reverse Parking
Reverse
into a parking bay at the driving test car park - Bay
Parking
Once
the test is over you will either receive a PASS Certificate
which must be signed and sent to the DVLC in Swansea together
with your provisional driving licence which is surrendered
when a “Full” licence is issued. If you fail you will
receive a STATEMENT OF FAILURE form on which the Examiner
will have marked with a '\' or a 'X' or a 'D' or a 'XX'
'\'
means a minor fault, which does not result in an automatic
failure. However, if you comment more than 15 of these
minor driving faults you will FAIL.
'X' means a major fault, and a fail.
'D' means a Dangerous fault, and a fail
'XX' also means Dangerous fault. This will be used to
replace a 'D' when the results are computerised.
You will also be given another application form to apply
for your next test!
Data
Protection Act
At
this point the Examiner will ask you if you would like
an explanation of any faults that you have occurred. If
you say. "Yes". A debriefing will follow when
the Examiner has asked you if you want your Instructor
to hear the debriefing with you. If you allow your Instructor
to listen to a debriefing then it should be made clear
to you, by the Examiner, that the information is privileged
to you under the Data Protection Act and you have the
right to exclude your Instructor from the privileged information
passed from the Examiner to you. If you agree to your
Instructor listening to the Examiners' debriefing you
waive your protective rights under the Data Protection
Act. The Examiner will make this clear to you.
Even
if your Instructor accompanies you on your Driving Test
you retain the right to exclude your Instructor from the
debriefing that the Examiner gives at the end of your
Test. In other words, you may ask your Instructor to leave
the car before the debriefing begins. If you decide to
listen to the Examiner's debriefing without your Instructor
present then you may run the risk of not fully understanding
the Examiners wording.
Even
if you haven't passed, you will have learned a great deal.
You can build on these skills in order to pass next time.
Decide on what steps you can take to improve your technique
and ask your instructor for advice.
Pre-test
‘Advice’
