Practical Test
Leicester, Rushey Mead, Syston, Thurmaston, Evington, Highfields, Belgrave

The practical driving test is an assessment to see if you can drive safely and if you can demonstrate elements of the Highway Code through your driving. The duration of the test is approximately 40 minutes

There are 5 parts to the practical driving test:-

An eyesight check
‘Show me-Tell me’ vehicle safety questions – see below
General driving ability
Reversing your vehicle
Independent driving

Eyesight Check

Before you commence driving, you will be asked to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters. If you are unable to read a number plate from this distance, the test will be terminated.

‘Show me-Tell me’ Questions

You will then be asked 2 Show me, Tell me questions, The ‘Tell me’ question will be asked at the start of your test and the ‘Show me’ question whilst you’re driving.

General Driving Ability

Throughout the test the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways. You will be asked to pull over at the side of the road 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 may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

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 approximately 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

Independent Driving

The practical test will also include 20 minutes of independent driving where you will be assessed on your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently. During the 20 minutes you'll have to drive independently by either following:-

Traffic signs
Directions from a sat nav

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow. They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You can’t use your own sat nav

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you. If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault. If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you do not need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault, you will fail the test.

Show me-Tell me questions:

Q1. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level.
Answer - Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark then more coolant will need to be added.

Q2. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer - Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels.

Q3. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil.
Answer - Identify the dipstick, explain that you would pull it out and check the oil level against the min/max markings.

Q4. Open the bonnet, identify where you would fill up engine oil.
Answer - Identify the engine oil cap on the engine.

Q5. Tell me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer - When the vehicle is switched off, the steering will feel very heavy, when the engine is switched on, the steering will lighten & be easy to steer.

Q6. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working.
Answer - Switch the ignition on, press the brake pedal and make use of reflections in garage doors etc to see if the brake lights come on or ask someone to check for you whilst you are pressing the brake

Q7. Show me how you would check that the horn is working.
Answer - Switch the ignition on, press the horn.

Q8. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working properly.
Answer - They should not feel spongy or slack and the car should not pull to one side.

Q9. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Answer - Switch the ignition on, turn on the lights

Q10. Show me how you would check the indicators are working correctly.
Answer - Press the hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working.

Q11. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car.
Answer - The car manufacturer's manual.

Q12. Tell me how you would check the tyres to show their general condition is safe & what the minimum tread requirement is.
Answer - A safe tyre will have no cuts or bulges. The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm ¾ of the width of the tyre.

Q13. Tell me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.
Answer - Explain that you would apply the parking brake & try & drive off. You should feel a braking force holding your vehicle back.

Q14. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer - The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable.

Q15. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers .
Answer - Switch the ignition on, operate control to wash and wipe windscreen.

Q16. Show me how you would set the de-mister controls to clear the front & rear windscreen.
Answer - Set all relevant controls - air direction/source and heated screen to clear front & rear windscreen.

Q17. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
Answer - (ABS) Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.

Q18. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Answer - Switch ignition on, operate controls for headlights & main beam, check with main beam warning light.