Looking to pass your Theory Test?

The theory test can be taken from the age of 17 and must be passed before a practical driving test can be booked.

The theory test itself consists of two sections - a set of questions and a set of hazard perception videos. You must score at least 43 out of 50 on the question set and at least 44 out of 70 on the hazard perception videos.

When taking the theory test you will need to take along the booking confirmation letter that you will receive from the Driving Standards Agency and also both parts of your provisional license (both the paper license and the photo card). Without these items you will not be allowed to take the theory test. (The paper part is now obsolete - June 2015)

Practical Test

On the day of your test you will have an hour's lesson before hand, this is used to familiarize yourself with the area around the test centre and to check that all your skills are in order.

The test will be done in my car if you have been learning in that.

If you would like me to sit in the car whilst you go on test I can do, you just have to ask the examiner at the time of the test.

Before the test begins you'll have an eyesight check and be asked two vehicle safety questions by the examiner.

The test itself lasts around 38 - 40 minutes and you will be asked to perform one of four manoeuvres.

- A parallel park behind a parked car

- Pull up on the right, reverse 2 car lengths, set off safely.

- Drive forward and reverse out of a parking bay

- Right reverse bay park

Your driving test will also include around ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.

The examiner may also ask you to perform an emergency stop. All of these manoeuvres will be covered fully in your lessons, and you will be discouraged from taking your test until I believe that you can perform them to a standard that will enable you to pass the driving test.

During the test the examiner is watching the standard of your driving but also your awareness of the road ahead and situations occurring around you. You are allowed to make 15 minor faults, so long as you do not make the same minor fault three times - Colin will go through this more fully with you as you near test standard.