About the DSA Practical Driving Test for Cars
The practical test is designed to assess your ability to drive safely and apply your knowledge of the Highway Code.
Before you get behind the wheel, the examiner will begin by checking your eyesight. You will be asked to read a number plate located around 20m away. Wear your glasses if you normally do so. If you fail the eyesight test, you will not be allowed to continue.
The eye check is followed by a couple of basic vehicle safety questions. For more information on this part of the test, visit the Show Me/Tell Me page.
The actual driving section lasts for approximately 40 minutes. Your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, in both your general driving and the set manoeuvres. The test route has been designed to ensure that you cover a wide variety of road and traffic conditions over the course of the test. Follow the examiner’s directions throughout and drive in the way your instructor has taught you.
You will be told in good time which way to go. Don’t panic if you take a wrong turn. The examiner will not fail you for misinterpreting a direction. He or she is aware that you will be nervous, so feel free to ask for clarification if you are unsure about a particular instruction.
As part of the test, the examiner will require you to undertake two of the following set manoeuvres:
- Reversing around a corner
- Turning in the road
- Reverse parking
You may also be asked to reverse into a parking bay or carry out an emergency stop.check 
You are allowed to take one other person with you on the test, although this individual must be over the age of 16 and will not be permitted to take any part in the proceedings.
During the test, the examiner will record any driving faults you make on form DL25 – the driving test report. Faults are categorized according to their seriousness, with separate sections for ‘minor’, ‘serious’ and ‘dangerous’ mistakes. At the end of the test, the faults will be totaled up to determine whether or not you have been successful. If you commit 16 or more minor driving faults, you will fail the test. One or more serious or dangerous driving faults will also result in automatic failure.
Resist the temptation to give up if you feel you have failed. Completing the test to the best of your ability will allow you to identify the areas you need to work on for next time. A test will only be stopped if the examiner considers you a danger to other road users.