United Kingdom driving test

The United Kingdom driving test is a test of competence that UK residents take in order to obtain a full Great Britain or Northern Ireland (car) driving licence or to add additional full entitlements to an existing one.

[3] The minimum age at which one can take a UK driving test is currently 16 for mopeds and 17 for cars (16 for those on the higher/enhanced rate of the mobility component of DLA or PIP[4]).

In addition to a driving licence, a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate may be required before a moped or motorcycle is ridden.

The driving theory test was introduced in July 1996 as a written examination, which was updated to computerised format in 2000.

[13] Drivers wishing to gain a category B (car) licence need to pass two separate tests.

The test allows 15 minutes practice time at the start of the exam to get used to answering the questions and how to use the system.

Prior to 3 September 2007, the car and motorcycle multiple-choice tests comprised 35 questions, with a pass mark of 30 within a 40-minute time limit.

Candidates watch fourteen one-minute clips (nineteen clips for lorry and bus candidates) filmed from the perspective of a car driver or motorcyclist and have to indicate, usually by clicking a mouse button or touching the screen, when they observe a developing hazard.

[19] The practical car test is taken on the road, with a professionally trained DVSA examiner directing the candidate around a pre-determined route.

[22] Instead of being handed a paper copy of the examiner's report, candidates received a summary of their performance via email.

They do not have to perform the action in question but will not be marked down if they have to physically demonstrate it in order to adequately explain their knowledge.

unless the examiner believed that the fault was serious, for example if the candidate loses control of the vehicle and thus causes danger.

The emergency stop determines the ability of the candidate to stop the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible, as if a sudden and unexpected hazard had appeared presenting an imminent danger to life and limb (an example often given here is if a child had suddenly run out into the road, directly in front of the candidate's vehicle).

Once the exercise is completed the candidate must also resume driving safely, making all appropriate observations before moving off again.

[21] Faults for this exercise are often given for: One of the most major changes to the GB driving test on 4 December 2017, was the reversing manoeuvres that candidates are expected to carry out.

The new manoeuvres to be tested are considered to be more relevant for drivers, and combine the skills of reversing with safe parking.

[21] Generally, the candidate must demonstrate an ability to drive in various road and traffic conditions [27] and react appropriately in actual risk situations.

Motorways in Great Britain can only be used by full licence holders, and learner drivers in a dual control vehicle with a licensed instructor in the passenger seat.

For example, if a candidate is instructed by the SatNav to proceed straight ahead at a junction but they find themselves in a 'left turn only' lane.

A fault may be given if the candidate was to proceed straight ahead in the left turn lane as this can be dangerous to other road users.

Some driving instructors will use this exact model during lessons in order to familiarise students with the layout of the device.

For the independent driving section, this could be asking the candidate which method they prefer - following signs, or a series of directions (a maximum of three) [33] In Northern Ireland, the DVA is responsible for the practical driving test and it is slightly different from that carried out in Great Britain by the DVSA.

These Include: The independent driving portion of the test will last approximately 30 minutes and, unlike GB, will never make use of a SatNav.

As in GB, if candidates forget directions or make an incorrect turn, they may ask for the instruction to be repeated and, as long as they have driven safely, they will not receive any faults.

The manoeuvres in Northern Ireland are different and may be one of the following: All candidates will be required to carry out the emergency stop procedure.

In 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, practical driving tests were temporarily delayed and a number of changes were bought into force which included: This guidance was formally withdrawn on 19 July 2021.