UK Driving License : Passing your Practical Driving Test in one go

Continuing with UK Driving License series, after getting provisional license, and clearing your Theory test the last and the main hurdle for you to be able to roll on the streets of UK legally is the practical driving test. People have lost sleep over it trying to clear it and rightly so because it is one of the difficult tests. But it's definitely doable with passing average around 47% in the UK. Read on to find out how can you become one of those 47% drivers.

Driving Lessons

Of course to be ready for your test you need to be well prepared and nothing can prepare you more than being on the road and and have decent miles/hours under your belt before you even the attempt the test. DVSA hasn't set a minimum number of hours  so basically as many as you need to become confident.

Before you start booking your lessons there is a decision you need to make whether you want a license for automatic or manual car. It's depends on what car you want, how quickly you need the license and how much are you ready to spend on lessons. Listed below are some of the cons and pros for each of them.

Automatic

Pros

• Easier to learn and comfortable to drive

• Less lessons required, usually 

•  Driving test easier since you don't have to worry about stalling your car, proper use of clutch and gears thus you only need to concentrate on the road

• Can be upgraded to manual without going through theory test, if needed in future

• Most new cars are automatic

Cons

• Automatic are slightly more expensive than manual cars

• You can't drive manual cars on this license 

• Your insurance might be slightly more than if you have a manual license

• Driving lessons might be slightly expensive

Manual

Pros

• All types of car can driven on this license 

• Lessons are cheaper, lots of discounts and packages 

• Manual cars are cheaper than automatic

• Insurance might be cheaper compared to automatic

Cons

• Difficult to drive for some  confusing for others

• Driving tests can be tricky as you have lots of stuff to worry already and then there is clutch and gear.

• More lessons are usually required to be able to become flawless for passing the test, thus can become quite expensive 

• It will take time if you are in need of a license quickly this probably might not be your way to go

After you have made a decision you need to book lessons accordingly. You need to make sure that the instructor is registered. You can check the approved schools and instructors can be found here. Search on Google for the available instructors and schools near you. The instructor will usually be booked on hourly basis. Most schools offers discounted packages and you choose what ever you feels best

People can learn how to drive from scratch with these instructors or they may have some experience in driving or they are pro and just need to be oriented to the driving test. In any case a trial of couple of hours will give you an idea of how many hours you will need to be ready for the test. International drivers can use their license and legally drive freely on the UK roads and get used to traffic and roads for a year and then take a couple of hours of lessons to prepare themselves for the test.

Booking your Practical Driving Test

You can decide to give your Practical test in any center but it's always betting to discuss with your instructor so he can make you practice on the similar routes as the test route. The best time is to take the test is between 10am - 1pm since the traffic is minimal. So you can drive comfortably without worrying about cars trying to overtake you or kids running and crossing the street.

The next part is the fee which is £62 per test. You can take your own car if you have one but there are certain requirements that your car must have including mirrors and stuff found on the dvsa website but it's easier to just take your instructors car it's less of a hassle. You need the car for 2-3 hrs. Your instructor will pick and drop you.

Components of Driving Test

There are five components and you need to pass all of them in order to pass

Eye sight Check

This is a quick one. Your driving test taker will ask you to read a certain number plate of a car around 20m away. You read it good, you can't you go home. It's an instant fail

"Show me" and "Tell me" questions

These are few questions that the examiner will ask you tell or show about the safety and security of the vehicle. Usually there is one "tell me" question and one "show me". These questions can be asked at any point in your driving test. Just learn them  You can find these here.

Independent driving and following Sat Nav

Out of allocated 40min of your driving-test most of it will be just driving either following the examiner's directions or following signs on the road to a specific destination or following Sat Nav or all three. This will give the examiner an adequate idea how well you can drive. Sat Nav is similar to Google Maps so you can practice on that.

Pulling over 

Another important part of the test if you can safely pullover and move off. You will be tested multiple times asked to pull over on a hill, behind a parked car or any quiet road. And then safely move off. The instructors can ask you pull at specific point or ask you pull on either side of the road when it's safe. You need to make sure that where ever you stop its legal and safe. Ask your instructor to guide you about this.

 Reverse driving 

And no driving-test is complete without checking your ability to reverse. This can be tested either by reverse parallel parking, driving into parking bay and reversing out or pulling up on right side of the road and reversing 2, 3 car lengths and then drive off



You are allowed to make some faults in your driving test. DVSA has divided into three categories

• 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

A pass is if you have less than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults 

Driving Test day (My Experience)

The big day! Make sure you have a good night sleep before the the test. Confirm with your instructor the time when are you going to be picked up. Usually it's better to have a lesson right before you go for the test so your instructor will be able to give last minute advice. You need to bring your Provisional license and theory certificate.

I have been driving on international license for a year I left my driving test way till the end to the extent my license was to expire the day after my driving test. I wouldn't recommend that apply in good time so if you can't clear it in the 1st attempt you still have time to re take it. I went for automatic of course because I didn't have time, I had taken a couple of hours lesson and booked my driving test at the Wednesbury test Centre. I had decided to use my instructor's car and most of the lesson I spent was getting used to the car.

On reaching the center I was asked sign that I understand the terms and conditions. Then I was asked if I wanted my instructor to tag along with us in the test. I agreed. There was quick eye sight by asking me to read out a random cart number plate. I was briefly explained how the test will be conducted. Was asked a quick "tell me" question and then was told to drive on when ready following the sat nav. The instructor was extremely alert noticed my every single movement, double checked every junction and turn and was ready to take over if he had the slightest reason.

You need to show them that you are very safe driver. Checking your mirrors regularly even if you are going straight. Not overusing indicators. You need to keep concentrating. For me the 40 min were literally hours  I was asked multiple times to pull over and drive off. Everytime the examiner waiting to mark a fault just in case I didn't look properly in the mirrors or didn't give an indicator properly. I had booked my test at around 10am and it was definitely a blessing there was very less traffic on the roads roundabouts were empty. I was asked to reverse parallel park. Make sure you reverse very slowly and keep a look out for the oncoming traffic and trafficking behind you.

All was going good just nearing the end of test, I started to lose concentration I made a wrong turn inspite of clear instruction of the examiner though I wasn't marked down for it I ended up in passing through a tricky roundabout and I didn't satisfactorily checked the mirrors and instantly got three minors. Thankfully the test center was just around the corner and I safely reached it without any more faults.

So in short follow the instructions if you don't understand ask them again in a good time and try to get it right the first time and if you don't then don't panic otherwise you will continue to make more mistakes. Once the test is concluded the examiner will ask if you want the instructor to be their to listen to the results. Make sure you say yes so that they can listen and later explain where you went wrong and how to work one it  If you clear your exam you will be asked to hand in provisional license and pass certificate will be issued there and then. You will receive your your license within 3 weeks but you can start driving the very next minute you clear your driving test.

Tips for passing the test

• Go for automatic license if you are struggling with manual license 

• Book driving test at off peak hours 

• Switch your instructor if you aren't satisfied 

• Use MSM technique always (Mirror, Signal, Manoeuver)

• Use POM technique as well (Prepare, Observe, Move) 

• Take help from your relatives and friends and drive with them to get more road experience

• Drive in all kinds of roads and in all seasons so you are comfortable on your driving test day

• Keep your concentration on the road avoid looking into what the instructor is scribbling

• Go through the driving test report to know how exactly how you are graded. Available below 

Congratulations on passing your test. The license you receive is for 10yrs straight so you can forget about it and start looking for a car for yourselves. You deserve it. Of course you will need to apply for insurance as well you can read more about insurance here  

Getting a Cheap Automobile Insurance (part I)

Getting a Cheap Automobile Insurance (part II)