what do you need to do to pass a driving test

There are more than 45 million drivers on the roads in the UK, and counting - but to be part of the club you have to get-go become your driving licence.

Acquiring your driving licence can be a lengthy (and expensive) procedure, but there's no need to feel daunted.

In this comprehensive guide, we reply your questions about learning to drive and outline all the steps you need to take to pass your test.

Step i: applying for your provisional driving licence

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Before you can even think near driving, some admin needs doing - you need to apply for your provisional driving licence.

When can yous apply for a provisional driving licence?

You can do this at any fourth dimension once you're over fifteen years and ix months old merely information technology merely becomes valid when you turn 16.

What does your conditional licence allow y'all to do?

With a provisional licence you can:

• At xvi begin the process of learning to ride a moped or calorie-free quad bicycle
• At 17 begin the procedure of learning to drive a car

You cannot:

• Bulldoze in a automobile without a driving instructor or someone else who fits the legal criteria

How do y'all apply for a provisional licence and how much does it price?

The easiest way to apply is through the provisional driving licence folio on the official GOV U.k. website.

To get a provisional licence you will demand:

• To exist able to read a number plate from xx metres away
• Provide a legitimate form of ID (normally a passport)
• Provide addresses for where y'all accept lived over the concluding iii years
• Pay £34 by credit or debit card

Your provisional licence should arrive within a week.

At the same time, information technology's a good idea to start reading the Highway Codeand brainstorm familiarising yourself with it in preparation for stride four, taking your theory exam.

Footstep two: finding a good driving instructor

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Finding a good driving teacher is invaluable.

While it might be tempting to save coin and enquire a friend or relative to teach yous, it could be a false economic system.

An proficient volition have a much amend thought of what's expected from y'all in the examination, and the power to ameliorate your skills over fourth dimension – and save heated arguments with your friends and family in the procedure.

Also, a fully qualified teacher will accept their own car to teach you in which volition have dual controls.

Dual controls are where the instructor has their own clutch and restriction pedals in the passenger footwell, and are able to take over or help out with the controls if they experience you need it at whatever point.

The most important matter when picking an instructor is choosing someone who makes you feel comfortable and happy in the driver'south seat, retrieve y'all may be spending potentially 40 hours in a car together!

If you do cull a friend or family fellow member they will have to be over the historic period of 21 and have held a licence for at least 3 years.

Where to find a proficient instructor

The all-time mode of finding a good instructor is through recommendations.

If you lot're a young driver, you'll probably know lots of people who are learning to bulldoze at the same fourth dimension – ask them if they'd recommend their instructor.

If yous cannot find anyone suitable on recommendation then you tin utilize the Approved Driving Instructor page on the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's (DVSA) website.

This database locates all of the approved instructors local to your area, all you need to do is type in your post lawmaking.

How much should I pay for driving lessons?

Typically, driving instructors charge around £xx to £25 per hour for instruction.

The boilerplate learner commuter requires effectually 45 hours of lessons earlier being exam-ready, but everyone learns at different rates.

Should I acquire in a manual or an automated?

When looking for an instructor consider what automobile they employ. Is it a transmission or an automatic?

While automatics are easier to bulldoze, you won't legally be able to drive a manual if you laissez passer in an automatic.

Unless y'all've got disabilities preventing you from driving a manual, a manual licence volition offer you more than flexibility in the future and yous can normally find much cheaper manual cars for your first car.

For more than data to help you choose whether you want to go manual or automated, read our pages communication pages:

• How to drive a manual car
• How to bulldoze an automatic car

Do I demand learner driver insurance?

The average learner requires 20 hours of additional exercise outside of their driving lessons, so if you're practicing with family or friends to complement your lessons you may want to consider learner driver insurance.

Learner driver insurance offers flexible curt-term encompass and can often be purchased by the day, week or month, and in some cases by the hour for learners wishing to practice on a more ad-hoc basis.

This additional practice will normally exist done in either yours, a friend'due south or a parent'due south car, meaning you volition demand to be insured equally you are behind the bicycle without an instructor.

You will also demand to be accompanied by a qualified driver who is appropriately insured on the vehicle you're learning in.

Get a quote

Step three: starting your driving lessons

For most people, starting their driving lessons will be the starting time time they have been in the commuter's seat of a car with other cars on the road too (no Legoland doesn't count!), so it can feel a little daunting.

But the right teacher will easily guide y'all through it and will start you off on very quiet roads.

For the first lesson they will well-nigh likely drive yous somewhere where they know there won't exist also much traffic.

How many lessons should I have?

The average learner needs xx hours of practice to pass the driving test, in add-on to 45 hours of driving lessons.

This is but an average though and shouldn't be something y'all feel you have to compare yourself to.

Some take fewer and some take longer to feel comfortable and ready to take their test - the important thing is to accept the test when you are ready, non existence the beginning one out of your friends to laissez passer.

Your instructor will let you know when yous are ready, but most of the time you lot will feel information technology as well - when the time comes you tin can both come to the decision together and and so discuss how best to set up for your exam.

Should I take an intensive course?

Intensive courses (otherwise known as the poorly named 'crash grade') will requite you the all-time chance of passing your driving examination in the shortest amount of time.

These are ordinarily flexible courses of extended one-on-i tuition with the aim of passing yous in every bit little time as possible.

They typically work to your schedule with an instructor devising a lesson plan or offering you a range of pre-designed plans suited to your budget and availability.

Observe out more about intensive driving courses and whether they're right for y'all.

Pros	Cons
Can teach people to drive in as lilliputian equally a week from consummate novice	Some people may experience rushed and aren't comfy learning in this type of environment
Within the package, most costs for intensive courses will encompass everything, including your theory and applied tests	They do involve a high initial cost outlay
They are perfect if you are in a rush or on a tight schedule, for instance when trying to laissez passer before leaving for uni or starting a job	You need to ensure yous have a costless block of time to complete - near people accept other commitments similar work or college to consider
Many courses offer a free retest should you in fact fail the applied test	Some people feel pressured to pass under these constraints which affects their ability to perform to the all-time of their abilities
Are usually flexible and will work to your schedule	Exercise not offering equally much flexibility as planning your weekly lessons yourself
Some offering residential intensive courses, to ensure at that place are no distractions to provide consummate focus on learning to bulldoze	They are difficult work and require a great deal of focus, commitment and dedication

What should I accept with me on my first lesson?

For your start lesson you lot will need:

• Your conditional licence
• A positive, tin can-practice attitude ☺

Six driving lesson tips

Starting your driving lessons is an exciting time, but to really make the most of them and maximise your value for money follow our six driving lesson tips.

• Before you outset

  Before your first driving lesson, become familiar with The Highway Code.

  This will give you a skilful agreement of the rules of the road before y'all get behind the wheel.

  And about importantly earlier your first lesson - go a skillful dark's sleep and brand certain you lot are fresh and set up to acquire when your teacher arrives.

• Habiliment the right footwear

  Information technology's easier to control the pedals wearing comfortable shoes. Heavy boots tin can make information technology hard to perfect driving techniques and heels volition get scuffed and give you lot less command. Cull sparse, narrow shoes to give yous the necessary 'feel' on the pedals.

• Practice betwixt lessons

  The boilerplate learner needs 20 hours of practice to pass the driving exam, in improver to 45 hours of driving lessons. Once you've started learning, inquire your instructor for advice about when you are ready to start practising between lessons.

  Yous tin can practise driving between lessons while accompanied by anyone who is over 21 years old and has held a full British driving licence for at least iii years, but both of you lot must exist insured to drive the vehicle you lot're in.

  You tin get brusk term learner driver insurance cover here.

  Remember to proceed things unproblematic – if, for case, you lot haven't yet been taught how to tackle roundabouts by your teacher, effort to avoid roundabouts during your practice drives.

• Longer and more frequent lessons become you in that location faster

  Information technology is recommended that you lot book a minimum of one two-hour lesson per week when you beginning learning to drive.

  As you progress you may find that two or more lessons a calendar week suit you better. Your instructor volition offer the all-time guidance on the right pace for you.

• Mock tests are great!

  Your instructor will nigh likely suggest this, but if they don't, ask to utilize one of your lessons leading up to your test to practice a mock/practice driving examination.

  This will become you lot used to the thought of taking a exam and ready you for what to look on the actual day.

  Doing 2 or three mocks will not only make you vastly more prepared for the real test but will put y'all at ease when you lot get there also.

• Study for the theory test while you learn to bulldoze

  Studying theory and exercise at the same time makes learning both easier.

  Theory gives lots of hints on the best way of driving and their importance can be underlined when on the road.

  When you lot're not practising the applied side of driving, swot for your theory test.

  Read the Highway Code and take mock tests online.

Learning to drive with a inability

If you take a disability, larn with a driving school that that can cater to your needs.

Specialist driving schools offer purposely adjusted cars and trained instructors to aid disabled learner-drivers.

Notice out more than about driving with a disability.

Stride iv: taking the theory test

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One time you've been learning to bulldoze for a lilliputian while, your instructor volition probably recommend yous book your theory test.

You will complete this alongside your practical lessons, then you will have to report in your own fourth dimension between lessons.

Don't worry though, we will offer tips to help you exercise for this test in the sections beneath.

How to book your driving theory test and how much will it cost?

• You can book your theory exam either:
  • Online, through the book your theory test section of the official GOV UK website
  • Or over the telephone using a credit or debit card on the number 0300 200 1122
• Information technology costs £23 and in that location is commonly a waiting time of a week or 2
• You'll have to visit your local theory test centre to accept your theory exam
• To find your local centre type your postcode into the GOV United kingdom website – most medium-sized towns have a center

What the driving theory test consists of

A multiple choice exam

The first part of the theory test is a computer-based multiple-choice examination consisting of 50 questions on the Highway Lawmaking.

You'll have 57 minutes to consummate it, and need to become 43 correct to pass.

Brand sure you've prepared, as you would an exam, and you should stand a very good take a chance of passing.

A hazard perception test

In one case you've completed the theory test, yous'll have to have a take chances perception test.

This uses 14 video clips, and you'll have to click the mouse whenever yous spot a take chances developing.

There are fifteen hazards to spot, with at to the lowest degree one on each prune and two in i of the clips. The hazard clips are silent.

When you spot a hazard developing yous tin can click either the left or right mouse button.

The earlier you spot it the more than points you will get. You tin can score between zero and five with a maximum of 75 (i.e.. xv hazards 10 5) and to pass you need a score of 44.

You'll find out direct abroad whether you've passed – and once you lot have, you'll exist able to take your applied test.

How to do for your driving theory exam

At that place are a number of different ways to do for your driving theory test. From sites to apps we have outlined the all-time resources below so you can find the right tools to suit you.

Gratuitous services

You can take free driving theory mock tests hither:

• The Government site
• Safe Driving For Life
• Toptests
• Theory test online
• The DVLA site

Y'all can also brush up on your route signs knowledge on our very ain road signs quiz page.

Paid for services

There is also an official DVSA learning zone y'all tin use to tutor y'all through the test.

The learning zone offers tips, practice exams, take a chance perception tests with an online simulator and the power to nautical chart your progress.

Information technology is available on all devices, including smartphone, tablet and desktop computer. Prices are:

• £15 for one month
• £20 for three months
• £30 for one year

Apps

The Official DVSA Theory Exam Kit for Automobile Drivers, 4.5 stars, £4.99

Android                    Iphone

Driving Theory Test Genius UK, five stars, Complimentary

Android                    Iphone

Pace v: taking your practical test

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You've had plenty of lessons, passed your theory examination and your instructor thinks you're set up to take your practical test, let's kickoff with the booking.

How to book the practical driving exam and how much does information technology cost?

This is an eight-step online procedure which only takes 5 to ten minutes.

The steps you volition be guided through ensure you will discover your nearest local test heart and the earliest available time slot, at that place is usually upward to a four week waiting list but this can increase depending on how decorated the appointments system is.

Earlier clicking on the link beneath and starting your booking process yous will need the following items:

• Your UK driving licence number (found on your provisional licence)
• A credit or debit card - it costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends
• Your driving teacher'due south personal reference number - this is to bank check if they're available should you wish them to attend the exam with you - which is often recommended

You can book your applied exam online here on the Government'south portal, just click the 'start now' button.

There is also an option on the GOV folio to look for driving test cancellations, this will permit you lot to potentially book an earlier date if someone else cancels their appointment before yours.

There is no alert system for this and so if y'all are eagerly awaiting the chance to volume one of these 'counterfoil appointments' you will demand to check their availability regularly, nosotros suggest daily.

When is the best time to book a driving test?

At that place'due south plenty of give-and-take about when you should book a examination to give yourself the all-time chance of success depending on the flavor, the day of the week and even the time of twenty-four hour period.

But what's the truth?

In terms of flavour, taking your test in winter plainly ways more than chance of icy roads or snowfall, so you lot might want to wait until the atmospheric condition warms up a footling.

Taking your test on a weekday may mean navigating rush-hour and school-run traffic, but call up that Saturday tests are more expensive.

More often than not speaking, you take more than gamble of passing a examination exterior of rush hour as there are fewer cars on the road and less congestion – meaning less likelihood of being distracted by those around you.

If this sounds like you, try and book a slot in the middle of the morning or afternoon, or in summer after the evening rush hour.

Inevitably, the best driving exam slot depends on yous.

If you feel confident near driving on wintry roads during the morning time rush hour, then yous may be fine booking your examination for then.

Then, think carefully and choose what'southward best for you.

What do you need to have with y'all for your driving test?

You'll demand to bring your:

• Theory test pass document
• Provisional driving licence

How long does the test concluding?

The driving test lasts around 40 minutes.

What does the driving test involve?

In that location are five steps to your practical driving test.

Changes to the driving test were made in December 2017, these accept been reflected below.

Five parts of the driving test

• Sight check

  First, you lot'll be asked to read a number plate of a random car from xx metres away to cheque your eyesight.

  If you cannot do this you cannot take your test.

• Show me tell me questions

  Then your examiner will inquire you 2 'tell me' questions about vehicle checks y'all should carry out before driving, such as: 'tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working', before you get in the car

  Later in the test, while you are driving, your examiner will ask you a 'show me' question, such as: 'show me how to demist your windscreen'.

  Here is a full listing of the possible prove me tell me questions.

• General driving power

  Yous'll drive in various route and traffic weather, but not on motorways.

  The examiner will requite y'all directions that you should follow. Driving exam routes aren't published, then you tin't check them before your test.

  Yous'll likewise be asked to safely pull over and safely pull away during this part of the examination, this may include:

  • Normal stops at the side of the road
  • Pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
  • A hill start

  You might also be asked to comport out an emergency cease.

• Reversing your vehicle

  The examiner will inquire you to exercise one of the following exercises:

  • Parallel-park at the side of the route
  • Park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out or reversing and driving out (your examiner will tell y'all which to do)
  • Pull up on the right-paw side of the road, contrary for two automobile lengths and rejoin the traffic

• Independent driving

  For this section roughly a fifth of drivers taking their test will exist asked to drive for nearly xx minutes by following either:

  • Traffic signs
  • A series of verbal directions
  • A combination of both

  You are not immune to use a sabbatum nav.

  The bulk volition be asked to follow directions using a sat nav, nevertheless.

  The driver volition have to follow directions for around twenty minutes. Although, if y'all do get confused, you can ask the examiner for confirmation of where you're going.

  If y'all make a mistake and drive in the wrong direction, you volition not be penalised unless you lot make a mistake while doing and then.

You lot won't notice out how y'all've done until you lot get back to the test centre, when the examiner will discuss his/her observations with you.

Yous'll then be given a pass or fail document.

How many minors and majors can I get?

Yous can make up to 15 minors faults and pass your driving test, however, one major fault will qualify for an instant fail.

15 driving examination tips

Tin I bulldoze home from the test centre if I pass?

You lot can drive immediately subsequently you pass your test, equally long as yous are correctly insured for the automobile you want to drive.

Your learner driver insurance will end as soon as you take passed, and then you'll demand to have out a full almanac auto insurance policy if y'all wish to drive away from the test eye.

As a first time commuter your insurance volition probable exist quite expensive, Black Box motorcar insurance tin can assist you lot relieve money as information technology rewards safe driving, and can assist to bring down your time to come premiums.

You'll also desire complete peace of mind if your vehicle breaks down. Luckily the RAC has a broad range of breakdown embrace packages available, which volition give you encompass at domicile and at the roadside as standard.

Driving test FAQs

• After passing my exam, how long until I become my full licence?

  One time you've passed, you (or your examiner) can accommodate to ship off your provisional (green) licence to the DVLA, who will and so upgrade it to a full (pink) driving licence.

  This procedure tin take upward to iii weeks in full, although yous don't take to look until you've received your new licence to showtime driving – you lot tin can drive straight away as long every bit your automobile is taxed and insured!

  If you haven't received your licence within three weeks, contact the DVLA.

• How long until I can bulldoze afterwards passing my driving test?

  If you've just passed your test, y'all'll be pleased to know you are legally able to drive abode from the examination centre should yous choose to, as long every bit your machine is taxed and correctly insured.

  That said, following the adrenaline rush of actually passing your exam, yous may prefer being driven home past your examiner so you're not too distracted on the journey home.

• Tin I change my driving test?

  Yes, y'all tin can – just use the Gov.uk tool to move your driving test date. You can also use this tool to detect an earlier test date (as well known equally a cancellation date).

  You'll need your driving licence number and driving test reference number (or theory test pass certificate number), which volition exist on the letter yous received when you passed your theory examination.

• How many times tin can I change my driving examination date?

  Using the Gov.u.k. tool, you tin reschedule your driving test up to vi times. Any more than than that and you'll need to cancel your test completely and re-volume it.

• How can I pass my driving test quickly?

  There is no certain-fire short-cutting to passing your driving test – you simply need to build upwardly the feel and confidence behind the wheel to prove to an examiner that you lot're skilful enough to pass your exam.

  Nevertheless, if you desire to quicken the process you might desire to consider taking an intensive driving course, which includes a high number of lessons over a short period of time – often a couple of weeks or fifty-fifty a few days.
  For more than data on intensive driving courses and to observe whether they're right for yous, read our complete guide.

• After passing my driving test, when can I drive on a motorway?

  Directly abroad – there are no restrictions on expressway driving for newly qualified motorists.

  If you're not feeling confident almost driving on motorways yet, fifty-fifty though yous've passed your test, you may want to consider a Pass Plus course.

  Notwithstanding, learner drivers are now immune to drive on motorways and so yous can get some exercise in while you're however learning.

• How long subsequently failing my driving exam do I have to wait before taking it once more?

  If you fail your driving test, yous can book another one direct away. However, y'all will accept to pay once more, and you lot can only cull a date at least 10 working days away from the original test engagement.

• Why do I keep failing my driving examination?

  There could be a number of reasons yous keep failing your test, from bad luck with congestion to a simple error when making a manoeuvre. But it's important you identify what you're weakest on and work on that.

  It might sound simple, but when information technology comes to driving, practice really does make perfect. Then, become out behind the bike and practice until you feel comfortable driving along roads used in the test route and undertaking all the manoeuvres.

  If you get nervous in a test situation, practising on the test route can aid, every bit can getting used to driving with people other than your instructor or examiner, such as a family member who is legally appropriate.

• Is information technology easier to pass an automated driving exam?

  That depends on your ability in an automatic auto. Driving an automatic may seem simpler every bit you don't accept to worry most changing gears but you lot however demand to be well-versed in all aspects of the applied test to stand up a chance of passing.

  Remember too that if you pass in an automated car, you won't so be qualified to drive a manual.

• Is a driving test hard?

  Driving tests are designed to ensure learner drivers take the skills and knowledge to be able to drive without any outside education or direction, and so they're supposed to be rigorous.

  At that place are plenty of variables in a test situation – from congestion and traffic to weather and nerves – and then the best way to make things as like shooting fish in a barrel every bit possible is to practice ahead of fourth dimension to ensure you're as prepared as y'all can be.

• Does driving get easier?

  The more than yous practice a certain skill, the better and more than confident you lot become – and driving is no different. And so the best way to brand driving seem easier is to go backside the wheel and practice as much as you can.

• What happens if you fail your driving test three times?

  There is no gear up limit on the amount of times you can attempt your driving exam, so if you lot've failed three times, you tin choose to keep trying if y'all want to and can beget it.

• How many people laissez passer their driving test first time?

  According to stats from the DVSA, but 47% of drivers passed their test on the first attempt, meaning you're more likely to neglect the kickoff time round. Then, don't get too disheartened if you have to have more than one attempt at passing.

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Source: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/learning-to-drive/how-to-pass-your-driving-test/

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