When you are ready to take the Practical Test, you can book your test online. Your TopNotch Driving School Instructor will let you know when to apply, this is when your skills have reached the correct standard to ensure you have the best chance of passing.
‘Test Day’ what to expect
On the day of your Practical Test your TopNotch Driving School Instructor will make sure that you arrive at the test centre in plenty of time to ensure you can get yourself settled and calm.
Before taking your test, you will be nervous, but this is to be expected.
The Driving Test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you can drive safely in different road conditions and that you have learned your highway code.
At Metro School of Motoring we will ensure you are confident and well prepared so that you stand the best chance of passing.
What to bring with you…
Meeting your Examiner…
- You will sit in the Test Centre, waiting for your examiner to call your name.
- You will be asked by the examiner to sign at the top of the marking sheet to be used during your test, to confirm that the address on your licence is still your current address and that the vehicle is insured
- Your examiner will then run through what is expected of you during the test.
Eyesight check then Show Me, Tell Me…
Once outside by the vehicle you will have an eyesight test.You’ll have to correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle. If you can’t pass the eyesight test you’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue. DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked. Find out more about the eyesight requirements to drive by clicking here.
Your examiner will then ask you two questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks. These questions will be taken from the Show Me, Tell Me questions.
Out on the Road
Your Practical Test now includes a section of ‘INDEPENDENT DRIVING’. In the independent driving section of your test, you’ll be asked to drive for about 10 minutes without step by step route directions from your examiner.
During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:
- traffic signs
- a series of directions
- a combination of both
To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram. (see example below)It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way – that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions – this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going. We will work with this style of driving during your lessons.
When you return to the Test Centre car park you will be informed whether you have passed or failed.
When the Practical Test begins, you will have 40 minutes to demonstrate everything you have learned in your driving lessons.
You will be asked if you wish to have your instructor with you in the car. I encourage this, as I will be able to see first hand any issues that arise.
You need to show you can drive competently and safely in all kinds of driving situations.
You’ll be asked to do one reversing manoeuvre which we will have practised and possibly make a controlled stop.
To pass, you will need to complete the test without any serious faults and with 15 or fewer minor errors.