The Practical Driving Test

You cannot take the practical test until you have passed the theory test. The practical test will test your ability to exercise adequate control of your vehicle and normally lasts 40 minutes.

The practical test also includes two questions on vehicle safety, designed to make sure that you know how to check the safety of your vehicle. Topics covered are, tyres, brakes, fluids, lights, reflectors, direction indicators, and horns.

If you fail, or do not take the practical test within two years of having passed the theory test, you will have to pass the theory test again before you can apply for a practical test.

Applying for a practical test

You will have to pay a fee for the test. You can apply for the test by phone and pay by debit or credit card, or by post and pay by cheque or postal order.

You can choose to take the test at any test centre but often the choice is determined by the driving instructor and the availability of the instructor's car for the test.

If you are ill and have to cancel your practical test, you should normally send the DSA a doctor's certificate within ten days of the test day if you want to be given another date without having to pay the fee again. Otherwise, you must pay another fee. The only other acceptable reason for a cancellation without your having to pay another fee is family bereavement.

If the DSA cancels your test because of bad weather, you will be offered another date and will not have to pay a further fee.

Practical test result

At the end of the practical test, the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or not.

If you fail the practical test, you can only appeal on the grounds that the test was not conducted in accordance with regulations.

When you have passed the practical test, you must apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for your full licence within two years of the test date. Otherwise you will have to take the practical test (and the theory test) again.

When you pass the car or motorcycle only practical test you will be subject to a probationary period.

Probationary period

When you pass your driving test for the first time you will be subject to a two year probationary period. This applies to anyone driving on a licence issued by the DVLA. The two year period begins on the day you first pass the practical test.

If during the probationary period, you are convicted of driving offences for which six or more penalty points are awarded, your driving licence will be revoked.

If your full driving licence is revoked, you will revert to learner status and be treated as if you never passed a driving test. To continue driving, you will have to get a provisional driving licence and drive with learner's plates until you have passed both the theory and practical parts of the driving test.

You cannot appeal the revocation of your licence. However, if you appeal against the conviction or sentence which brought the number of penalty points up to 6 or more, you can apply to the DVLA to have your licence restored pending the result of the appeal. If the court notifies the DVLA that the sentence is under appeal, the full licence should be restored without a further test.

There is no minimum period for which the licence must be revoked. As soon as you have passed both the theory and practical parts of another driving test, you can apply for a new full licence. However, the penalty points will remain on the driver's licence for four years from the date of your offence. After four years you can ask the DVLA to have them removed from your licence.