The THEORY and HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST • DRIVING PRACTICAL Test • INDEPENDENT Driving
The THEORY and HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST
You need to PASS your theory and hazard perception test at the same time before you can apply for your practical test. You will need a valid provisional driving licence to take your theory test and you can book your theory and hazard perception tests online.
You DO NOT however, need to have passed your Theory & Hazard perception tests, before taking lessons.
I will, as part of your training, help you prepare for the theory and hazard perception tests, and advise when you are ready to take them. At Ambrose Driving we also provide you with access to Theory Test Pro (click here), which enables you to take mock tests online.
How the THEORY TEST works:
The theory test is a 50-question multiple-choice test. To pass you must answer 43 or more questions correctly within 57 minutes. Questions are chosen at random from a bank of over 1,000 questions, and you answer by touching the screen. During the test you have the option to skip questions and return to them later.
How the HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST works:
Immediately after your theory test, you'll watch a series of 14 one minute video clips, each showing potential hazards involving road conditions, pedestrians or road users.
There are 15 hazards to identify and you can score up to 5 points on each one, depending on how quickly you identify them. You need to score 44 out of 75 to pass - don’t worry it is not as tough as it sounds!
The theory test is a 50-question multiple-choice test. To pass you must answer 43 or more questions correctly within 57 minutes. Questions are chosen at random from a bank of over 1,000 questions, and you answer by touching the screen. During the test you have the option to skip questions and return to them later.
How the HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST works:
Immediately after your theory test, you'll watch a series of 14 one minute video clips, each showing potential hazards involving road conditions, pedestrians or road users.
There are 15 hazards to identify and you can score up to 5 points on each one, depending on how quickly you identify them. You need to score 44 out of 75 to pass - don’t worry it is not as tough as it sounds!
The PRACTICAL DRIVING Test
At The Test Centre
We will sit in the Test Centre and wait for your examiner to call your name.
- You will be asked by the examiner to sign at the top of the marking sheet to be used during your test, to confirm that the address on your licence is still your current address and that the vehicle you are using for the test is insured
- Your examiner will then run through what is expected of you
- You will then have an eyesight test, to check you can correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle. (20 metres away for vehicles with a new-style number plate) and (20.5 metres away for vehicles with an old-style number plate.)
- If you can’t pass the eyesight test you’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue. The DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked, so it is vital you bring with you, your glasses or ensure you are wearing your contact lenses. This is a legal requirement when learning to drive.
The Practical Driving Test
When the Practical DrivingTest begins, you will have 40 minutes to demonstrate everything you have learned in your driving lessons.
You will be asked if you wish to have your instructor with you in the car.
You need to show you can drive competently and safely in all kinds of driving situations.
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested, but you will still be taught them during your driving lessons.
You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres:
- parallel park at the side of the road
- park in a bay - either 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 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic
The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test - these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
- ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
- ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers
Your Driving Test includes 20mins of 'Independent Driving'
As of the 4th Dec 17, this part of the test has been made longer, so it’ll now last around 20 minutes - roughly half of the test. During this time most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.
The examiner will provide the sat nav (a TomTom Start 52) and set it up. You won’t need to set the route - the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of sat nav you practise with.
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test - you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.
You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it.
One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.
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 - this isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault.
When you return to the Test Centre car park you will be informed whether you have passed or failed.
