PASS Driver Training with a DVSA grade A instructor

According to the DVSA, most people have had about 47 hours of professional driving tuition plus 20 hours of private practice before they pass their practical driving test. This is just an average but everyone learns at a different pace!

Clearly, it’s important to get plenty of practice before taking your practical driving test.

What to take to your test

• Your UK driving licence
• Your theory test pass certificate
• A car - most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own.

Taking someone with you

Your examiner will ask if you want your instructor, or another person, to:

• Sit in the back of your car during your driving test
• Be with you after the test for the result and feedback

This will usually be your instructor, but could be a relative or friend. They must be over 16

What happens during the test

• An eyesight check
• ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• General driving ability
• Reversing your vehicle
• Independent driving

How long the test lasts

You’ll drive for around 40 minutes. 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test.

Eyesight check

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

• 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
• 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

You’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue if you can’t pass the eyesight test.

Vehicle safety questions: ‘show me, tell me’

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 while you’re driving

Your 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. Driving test routes aren’t published.

Pulling over at the side of the road

You’ll 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
• 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

Following directions from a sat nav

The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.

Going off the route

Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it.

If you can’t see traffic signs

For example, it’s covered by trees, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next.

If you make mistakes during your test

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious. The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

Driving test faults and your result

There are 3 types of faults you can make:

• A dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• A serious fault - something potentially dangerous
• A driving fault - isn’t potentially dangerous, could become a serious fault if repeated.

Pass mark

You’ll pass your driving test if you make:

• No more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
• No serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)

If you pass your test

The examiner will:

• Tell you what faults you made, if any
• Give you a pass certificate
• Ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically.

You can drive straight away when you’ve passed. You don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive.

If you don’t pass

The examiner will tell you what faults you made. You have to book another test and pay again. You have to wait at least 10 working days.

Day of practical test

Most of our customers will require: 3 hours on the day of their practical driving test. The 3 hours is broken down as follows:

Time in minutes/Content                                                                         

• 10 - Collect from pick up address and check all documentation
• 60 - Practice session
• 20 - Drive to test and comfort break
• 45 - Practical Test
• 15 - Debrief with examiner
• 30 - Drive home/debrief with Instructor-including confirming post-test course or re-test next steps.

Total time  180

Driving test fees

These fees are set by the DVSA and independent of PASS Driver Training

Test Type

• Theory test      £23
• Practical test   £62/£75 weekend
• Booking fee     £15

Cost of test day

These fees make up the total cost of your driving test:

Test fee

These fees are set by the DVSA and independent of PASS Driver Training

Tuition fee

Most customers will require a 3 hour booking on the day of their practical driving test. This covers:

• Professional services 
• Use of car
• Insurance

Booking management fee

Your PASS Driving Instructor may charge a practical test booking fee. This allows your instructor to:

• Look for cancelations where appropriate
• Swap booking with other students 
• Manage your booking affectively 
• This is optional. 

Please note test day fees will consist of:

• Test fee
• Tuition fee
• Booking fee (optional)

  *prices correct 01/07/2024