The driving test

Once you have passed the written theory test you can apply for the practical driving test. However, you must be able to drive with minimal assistance from your driving instructor before you take the test.

If you can drive and control your car safely and smoothly, with full awareness of other road users and consideration for the road, weather and traffic conditions, and can competently perform all the slow manoeuvres, you are ready to pass your driving test!

Take your instructor's advice

Follow your instructor's advice, otherwise you waste your time and money taking a test, as well as annoying the examiner and needlessly taking a test booking, which someone who was ready for the test could have had. Normally you will have the use of your instructor's car for the test. However if you should insist on taking a test against their advice, you can expect this service to be withdrawn!

If you really doubt your instructor's opinion, arrange for an independent instructor to give their assessment - but don't leave it too late! All you have to do on the driving test is what you should know already - there are no secrets.

You should have declared any physical or mental health problems when you applied for your provisional license. If your condition has changed, you must inform DVLA without delay. If you have any new condition or disability that is relevant to your driving, you will have to declare it when you apply for a driving test.

From October 2010 the driving test will include approximately 10 minutes of independent driving.

During the test you will have to drive independently by either following:

       (a) traffic signs  (b) a series of directions  or (c) a combination of both.

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when its safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you are going.

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

If you go off the independent driving route it won't affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.

If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won't need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can't use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn - by - turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

Your EX L instructor will give you sufficient practice at independent driving before you are ready to take your driving test.