How to pass your practical driving test

You’ve put in the hours of practice, now it’s time to book your practical driving test. But how do you know if you’re ready to pass your driving test? What can you expect and how can you prepare to give yourself the best chance of passing the driving test first time? 

This guide offers handy tips on what to focus on in the days leading up to your test so you know exactly what to do to pass. 

Things to do before your driving test

Make sure you’re ready

Your driving instructor will tell you when they think you’re ready, but here’s a checklist to give you an overview of other ways to tell if you should book your test date: 

• Have you passed your theory test?

You can’t book your practical driving test until you’ve passed your theory test. 

• Are you managing your nerves? 

If you’re keeping your nerves in check, especially when faced with hazards and unpredictable situations during lessons, you’re in a position to focus on a test scenario. 

• Have you had enough practice?

You must have had enough experience behind the wheel before you book your test. Make sure you’re comfortable in different scenarios and you’ve had enough lessons to ensure you feel secure on the road. If you’re not being prompted by your instructor anymore, you may be ready to book your test. 

• Can you pass mock driving tests? 

Are you regularly passing trial practical tests? Do you feel you could match this performance during the real thing? 

• You’re not making dangerous mistakes

You’ve had enough lessons to know how to handle the vehicle while out on the road. 

The waiting time for a driving test can vary dramatically depending on where you live, so you could end up waiting a number of weeks. Don’t waste this time and use it to your advantage. 

What are the main skills you need to pass the driving test?

If you want to know how to pass your driving test, make sure you know the skills you need to be a safe driver. There are 27 skills in total.  

If you’re having lessons with an instructor, their job is to make sure you have the key skills so you can take your test. However, whether you’re being taught by an instructor or a family friend, it’s worth knowing what’s expected of you so you can pass. 

• Skills 1 to 4: The basics

These are your legal responsibilities, safety checks, cockpit checks and security.

• Skills 5 to 7: Control and positioning

These include operating the car’s controls and instruments, moving away and stopping, and safe positioning on the road and when you park up.

• Skills 8 to 13: Observation, signalling and planning 

These skills focus on how aware you are of what’s happening around you and focus on your use of mirrors and signals, along with how you anticipate other drivers on the roads and plan ahead. 

• Skills 14 to 16: Junctions, roundabouts and crossings 

These cover junctions, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.

• Skills 17 to 20: Manoeuvres 

You’ll need to carry out manoeuvres on the test including reversing, turning the car around, parking and emergency stops.

• Skills 21 to 23: Road types 

You’ll encounter different roads once you’re a qualified motorist. Being skilled in country roads and dual carriageways may be a feature of your test. Motorways aren’t part of your practical test, but getting experience with them is also highly beneficial. 

• Skills 24 to 26: Driving conditions 

Learning how to drive in the dark and different weather conditions, along with driving with passengers and loads, are all skills you’ll need once you’re a qualified driver. Your driving test might take place in the winter when light is limited or when there are adverse weather conditions. 

• Skill 27: Following routes 

This includes independent driving following directions from a sat nav and a series of traffic signs.

How to book your practical driving test

Before you can start preparing for the practical test, you have to book it. When your instructor is sure you’re ready and you both agree that you could pass, you can select a date.

To book your driving test you will need: 

• Your driving licence number
• A credit or debit card

A standard car practical test will cost you £62 for a weekday test and £75 for one in the evening, at the weekend or on a bank holiday.

It’s important to pick the right time of day to take your test. Having quieter roads in the middle of the morning or afternoon can be a big advantage if you’re a nervous driver. It’s always best to avoid rush hour as this can add unnecessary stress on the big day.

You can book a test up to 24 weeks in advance although you may find you have to wait a while for your exam date anyway. 

Please be aware that practical driving tests are very popular, and you may need to stay patient while you find your preferred location. If you’re keen to take your test at an earlier date, you can book it in a different location.

Read up on the ‘show me, tell me’ driving test questions

During your test, you will be asked a couple of questions, known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. Take the time before your test date to familiarise yourself with what these are and the types of questions you might have to answer. 

You’ll get one ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’ question and these are designed to test your knowledge of the maintenance and safety of your vehicle.

Questions range from ‘Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey’ to ‘Open the bonnet, show me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you check the level’.

If you fail to answer one or both of these questions correctly, you will get one minor driving fault. 

Make sure you know the difference between major and minor faults

You can have up to 15 minor faults during your test and still pass. Just one major fault, or three of the same minor fault, will see you fail. Your instructor will take you through what’s classed as a major and minor fault, and it’s important you know what these are before you take your test. 

In the lead-up to your driving test date, make sure you feel confident about the difference between these types of faults and work on any weak spots. For instance, if you regularly stall your instructor’s car, use this time before test day to iron out this minor fault. 

If you make any major faults during your lessons in the lead-up to your test, take the time to work on them to keep you and other people safe now and in the future. Examples of major faults include failing to stop at a red light or losing control of the car. 

Practical driving test practice

After you have booked your test, you’ll probably have time to get in some last-minute practice. Some areas to focus on may include: 

• Manoeuvres: There are four manoeuvres you’ll need to know, and you will be asked to perform one of these on your test. If you’re not confident about any of these, use this time to master them. 
• Different roads: If you’re familiar with the test route, you might want to try different roads during this period when you’re practising driving. 
• Timings: You might have had your lessons with your instructor at the same time every week. You might even have booked your test for around the same time. But it can be helpful to drive at different times of the day so you can get used to rush hour traffic, for example.

You may find you’ve reached the point where you don’t want to pay an instructor for more lessons but don’t let that stop you from practising. 

If you’re lucky enough to have your own car or access to a car (maybe your parents’ or a friend’s) you can practice in, you should try and do so before the big day. It’s the best way to brush up on what you’ve been learning with your instructor and the perfect way to do some driving practice in a relaxed setting.

If you want to know how to prepare for the practical driving test so you’re able to pass, this practice can be especially important as it means you maintain high driving standards while you wait for your test date. 

Do you need insurance when driving with a family or friend?

Your friend or family member will have to be with you in the car and they must hold a valid licence, be over the age of 21 (for Tempcover insurance, the person accompanying you must be over 25 years of age) and have over three years of driving experience.

No matter whose car you’re practising in if you’re on a public road you must have insurance. As a learner driver, you might find that getting added to an existing policy belonging to your parents or a friend can be costly.

A great way to get comprehensive cover while you’re driving is to get learner driver insurance. It’s flexible insurance that works around your schedule.

You’ve already had to pay for driving lessons and over £60 for your driving test, so the last thing you want to do is pay more than you need to. Policies are available for 12 hours to 28 days, so however long you’re waiting to take your test, you only pay for the cover you need.

A short-term policy could not only save you money but as a standalone policy, it won’t affect the vehicle owner’s existing insurance. Their premiums will stay the same and if you have an accident while driving, they won’t lose their no claims discount. Find out how learner driver insurance can help you.

Get a quote.

How to calm your nerves before your driving test

There’s no avoiding the fact that your driving test is important. Naturally, it’s bound to cause a few nerves, especially if you’re taking it for the first time. Some top tips for overcoming driving test anxiety include:

• Prepare: Maybe you could go on a practice run while driving with your friend or family member. Ask your instructor about the likely routes where the driving test will take place and familiarise yourself with the surroundings including large roundabouts. Treat every drive around the area as a mock exam.
• Get plenty of rest, relaxation and exercise: Although it may be easier said than done, try and get a full eight hours of sleep the night before your test. This will help you stay alert throughout the exam.
• Don’t drink too much caffeine: The night before, drink plenty of water instead of coffee or fizzy drinks. This will help you relax and get a good night’s sleep.
• Exercise: Clear your head by going for a run or having a session at the gym. Getting into the routine of regular exercise will keep your mind away from the upcoming pressure of a driving test and boost your mental health.
• Stay positive: While you want to know how to pass the practical driving test first time, remember that nerves are normal and the overall pass rate is just under 50% every year. You might not pass and that’s fine. Put things into perspective and remember that even if you fail, there will be another opportunity.

Another great way of relieving nerves is to take away the added stress of expectation. There’s no need to tell everyone when your test is because that can add to the pressure.