Practical Test

 

Please read this important information on taking your car or car and trailer practical test.

 

Your Car
 
You must provide a roadworthy car which is taxed, insured, and suitable for the test.

The car should be fully insured for the practical test. A hired car is unlikely to be insured for test and therefore is not an acceptable vehicle for the practical test unless fitted with dual controls.

 

The car must have working seat belts, an integral head restraint fitted to the front passenger seat and an adjustable interior mirror for the examiner to use.

 

The front passenger seat must provide clear all-round vision for the examiner.

 

The car must display L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) which meet the current regulations when you are driving with a provisional licence.

It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is suitable for the test. For recalls and further information on suitable vehicle requirements please visit direct.gov.uk/practicaltest or call 0300 200 1122.

 

For Car and Trailer Tests

 

The car and trailer you use must be unladen and the trailer must be a closed box construction, at least as wide and high as the towing car. As a minimum, the trailer must be at least one tonne maximum authorised mass (MAM) (gross weight). The examiner may ask for evidence of the trailer MAM, e.g. to see the manufacturer's plate.

 

The car and trailer must use appropriate brakes and a heavy duty coupling arrangement suitable for the weight.

 

Your view to the rear should be possibly only by using the towing vehicle's outside rear-view mirrors.

 

You must ensure that the car is fitted with outside nearside and offside mirrors to allow the examiner a reasonable view down both sides of the car and trailer. If there are mirrors already fitted to the car for this purpose, you might not need extra mirrors. Also two or three point seatbelts must be fitted for the examiner and any supervising officer's use.

 

The car car must be fitted with an audible or visual alarm to show the correct operation of the trailer indicators.

 

For All Tests

 

Documents you should bring with you
 
Please bring your theory test pass certificate or confirmation, if this applies and your valid, signed UK or Northern Ireland driving licence when you come for your test. DSA will not accept any other driving licence.

 

If you have a photocard style licence, you must bring the photocard licence.

 

If you do not have a photocard licence and have an old style paper licence you must bring a valid passport.

 

If you haven't got your licence, or if you have a question about your licence entitlements, please phone the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on 0300 7906 801.

 

If you bring a photocard licence, DSA's examiner will carry out a security check before the test begins.

 

Taking your test

 

DSA produces books, DVDs and apps to help you prepare for your test. You can find out more about these by visit tsoshop.co.uk/dsa or called 0870 850 6553. Videos about what to expect when you take your driving test, along with other road safety videos, are available free of charge of youtube.com/dsagov.

 

Vehicle safety questions are part of all practical driving tests. You may need to open you car's bonnet during this part of the test.

DSA's examiner will ask you if you want your instructor, or another observer to sit in on your car test and to be present for you test result and feedback at the end of the test. Any observer would preferably be the person who helped you learn to drive. The instructor or observer must not take any part in the test or interfere in any way.

 

If you wish to bring a friend or interpreter with you on your test, they must be atleast 16 years old. Your instructor may act as your interpreter. They must not take any part in the test or interfere in any way.

 

DSA does not have a certain number of people who will pass or fail the test. If you drive to the necessary standard, you will pass your test.

A supervising officer may go with you on your test. This is part of DSA's quality assurance procedure. The supervisor will not be examining you and will not take any part in the test. They are there to make sure DSA is maintaining standards in carrying out the tests.

 

After The Test

 

At the end of the test (pass or fail), your examiner will offer to explain your driving test report to you. You might like your instructor to listen to this.

 

You find will details of DSA's service standards and complaints procedures online at direct.gov.uk/contactdsa.

 

How to change or cancel your test

 

To cancel your test without losing your fee you need to give DSA three clear working days notice. 

For this purpose Saturday counts as a working day. DSA's customer services line is not available on a Saturday; to cancel your test on a Saturday you can either cancel online, by email to customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk or by fax 0300 200 1155