The UK driving test explained, step by step

You must hold a provisional licence and pass the theory test before you can book the practical test. It has two parts, taken in one sitting, and you have to pass both on the same day.

The multiple-choice part is 50 questions in 57 minutes. The pass mark is 43 out of 50. The hazard perception part is 14 video clips containing 15 developing hazards, with a maximum of five points per hazard. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

If you fail one part, you fail the whole test and must retake both. Your theory pass certificate is valid for two years, and if you have not passed the practical test by then it expires and the theory must be retaken.

Book the practical once your theory is passed. Waiting times vary a lot by test centre and season, so book ahead even if your instructor has not yet said you are ready. You can move the date later if you need to.

Your instructor will usually tell you when they think you can pass. Take that seriously if they know your driving, and be sceptical of anyone guaranteeing a pass.

You meet the examiner at the test centre and are asked to sign a declaration. Before driving, you must read a number plate from 20 metres, wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need them. Failing that eyesight check ends the test immediately.

You will then answer one “tell me” question about vehicle safety before setting off, and one “show me” question while driving, such as using the rear demister or dipping the headlights.

The drive itself lasts around 40 minutes. It includes around 20 minutes of independent driving, following signs or, in roughly one in five tests, a satnav. You will usually be asked to complete one manoeuvre, and about one in three tests includes a controlled stop.

Examiners record three types of fault. A driving fault is a minor error that is not dangerous on its own, and you can collect up to 15 before you fail. A serious fault is one that created a potential danger. A dangerous fault is one that actually required action by the examiner.

You fail if you get a single serious or dangerous fault, or a sixteenth driving fault. Repetition matters more than the individual error: the same minor mistake several times will be marked as serious.

This is why observation errors are so costly. Checking a mirror a moment late is minor once, but doing it at every junction adds up quickly.

Most serious faults come from a few consistent blind spots:

• Junctions: pulling out without a proper observation, or emerging too fast.
• Roundabouts: choosing the wrong lane, or failing to check the blind spot before changing lanes.
• Mirrors and blind spots: moving off or changing direction without checking.
• Speed: entering a lower-limit road still going too fast, or creeping above the limit on a dual carriageway.
• Steering: mounting the kerb, especially on tight left turns or when parking.
• Following distance: sitting too close on faster roads in wet conditions.

Around half of learners do not pass first time, so it is a normal experience rather than a disaster. The examiner gives you a copy of the result sheet showing exactly what was marked, and you keep it.

Take that sheet to your next lesson. A good instructor will build the next few hours around the specific faults, and most learners who fail on a serious fault pass comfortably on a second attempt.

You can rebook immediately, but you must leave enough time to fix what went wrong. Booking a retest the next day, without further lessons, rarely helps.