The Driving test

A standard UK driving test lasts approximately 40 minutes. If you are taking an extended test (due to being disqualified from driving), the test is 70 minutes long.

There are 5 main parts to the UK driving test:

• an eyesight check
• ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• general driving ability
• reversing your vehicle
• independent driving

Eyesight check

You’ll be required to read a number plate from a distance of:

• 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate (eg. AB01 ABC)
• 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate (eg. A123 ABC)

You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions

• You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

You’ll be asked the:

• ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
• ‘show me’ question whilst you’re driving.

General driving ability

You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways. The examiner will give you directions that you should follow.

You’ll also be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

• normal stops at the side of the road
• pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
• a hill start

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Reversing your vehicle

The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic.

Independent driving

You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

• directions from a sat nav
• traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow. They’ll bring their own sat nav and set it up for you.

If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it is obscured by a tree), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

The examiner will not record a fault against you if you take a wrong turning, as long as it is done safely. They will help you get back on to the route, if needed.