Freedom School Of Motoring

The Driving Standards Agency Theory and Practical Tests

There are now three parts to the driving test. Before you can sit the practical test, you must have passed a multiple choice touch-screen Theory Test and video clip Hazard Perception Test.

Once you have passed both of these you can sit the practical test which also includes a 'Show Me, Tell Me' vehicle maintenance section.

This means the number of lessons needed to pass the test has increased dramatically - all aiming to prepare you for today's road conditions.

About The DSA's Driving Theory Test

In your driving theory test, you will be assessed on your driving attitude, traffic signs and regulations, safety in vehicles and how the environment affects driving conditions, plus the effects of alcohol, drugs and fatigue on drivers.

The DSA theory test is split into two sections:

• 50 multiple choice questions - from a bank of 1,257 to test your road safety knowledge. You be given 57 minutes to answer the 50 questions. The pass mark is 43 out of 50. People with special needs have additional time allowed.

• 14 video clips - to test your hazard perception skills. You will use a mouse to indicate when you spot a potential hazard. The pass mark is 44 out of 75. The quicker you are, the higher your score.

You will to need pass both of these before you can take your practical test. If you fail either section, you will need to retake the whole test again.

Your driving theory test will take place at your nearest DSA Theory Test Centre..

About The DSA's Practical Driving Test

When you have passed your theory test, at an appropriate time, your instructor will advise you when you should apply for your practical driving test and the earliest date you should book. Your instructor will help or can arrange this on your behalf if required. It is important you do not book your test before speaking to your instructor to ensure the training vehicle and instructor are available.

Your driving test will take about 40-45 minutes and it is conducted from your local driving test centre by a DSA examiner. Most of the test routes involve town driving and if possible, single and dual carriageway roads outside 30 mph limits. You will also be required to perform one of the following reversing manouevres which will be decided by your examiner - Turning the vehicle around to face the opposite direction (Turn in the road, formerly known as three point turn), Reversing into a limited opening on the left (reversing around a left corner with a reasonable degree of accuracy) and reverse parking (on the road, into a space no bigger than 2 car lenghs - Parallel Parking, or into a bay in the test centre car park). From October 2010, the Driving Standards Agency introduced a new section called 'Independent Driving'. This will be for approx 10 minutes of your test where you will either follow directions given to you by the examiner in a basic map format or by following road signs to various destinations. You could also have a combination of the two. Your instructor will explain in full this section.

On the day of your test, you will need the documents listed below:

• Your test appointment letter • Your theory test pass certificate • Your driving licence (both parts on new style licenses) • Photographic ID (if you do not have the new photographic driving license)

On leaving the driving test centre, your examiner will ask which car is yours and then ask you to read a car number plate from at least the required minimum distance. In 2003 a new section was added to the practical driving test - 'Show Me, Tell Me'. Before getting into the car the examiner will ask two questions relating to vehicle safety and maintenance. If one or both questions are answered incorrectly, one driving fault will be recorded. The questions fit into 4 catagories:

• Under the bonnet • Inside the car • Lights • Tyres

More information on 'Show Me, Tell Me' can be found via the link on the left.

The examiner will sit in the front passenger's seat and explain how the driving test will work. You will be asked to start the car and move away.

The examiner will be looking for a competent and safe driver, but some minor driving faults are permitted. Minor faults are errors that do not create an actual or potential danger to other road users. The examiner records these mistakes and if you make sixteen or more of these, you will fail the test. If you make a mistake, continue driving and don't worry. It may only be a minor error and it may not affect your result. You will, however, automatically fail if you make a serious or dangerous error. If you fail, the examiner will explain briefly why you failed. You can re-apply to take your test again straight away, but you cannot retake the test within ten working days

If you pass, you will be given a pass certificate and the examiner will keep your provisonal license to post to DVLA (unless you chose to do it yourself). Your full license will then come through by post within 3 weeks.