Are you ready for your test? Your driving test checklist

The practical driving test is the final hurdle in your journey as a learner driver, and knowing what to expect can make all the difference. The DVSA publishes the exact checklist examiners use during the test, and getting familiar with it can help you feel more confident and prepared.

This guide breaks down each section of the test in detail, explaining what the examiner is looking for, what might trip you up, and how to steer clear of common mistakes. Whether your test is tomorrow or still a few months away, this checklist will help you prepare and give you the best shot at passing.

What's covered:

• 4 things you need to bring to your driving test
• Preparing your car
• How is the test scored?
• The format of the driving test
• The eyesight check
• ‘Show me’, ‘tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• General driving
• Reversing your vehicle manoeuvres
• Independent driving
• 16 things your examiner will be looking out for
• Pass or fail: what happens next
• Final thoughts

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4 things you need to bring to your driving test

Don’t risk a cancellation because you forgot something important. Here’s what you’ll need to bring to the test centre:

1. Your provisional driving licence

2. Your theory test pass certificate

3. Glasses or contact lenses if you need them

4. A valid passport (if your provisional licence is paper)

You can also bring someone along to sit in the back seat during your test, like your instructor or a friend, but they'll need to follow the DVSA rules for observers.

You should also wear comfortable clothes that won’t restrict your movement or interfere with the gear stick or handbrake during the test. Make sure you have shoes with a firm grip and flat sole to avoid slipping off the pedals.

Don't get caught out. Sign up for your MOT reminder. Check MOT

Before the test begins, the examiner will ask for your personal details and request that you sign a declaration. This confirms that you are insured to drive the vehicle you’re using for the test and that you have lived in the UK for at least 185 days in the past 12 months.

Also read: Learner driver insurance: a complete guide

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Preparing your car

If you’re using your instructor’s car, it’s likely already test-ready. But if you’re using your own vehicle, it must meet DVSA requirements:

• Taxed and MOT’d

• No dashboard warning lights

• Legal tyre tread depth (1.6mm)

• Capable of reaching 62 mph

• Smoke-free interior

• L-plates fitted

• An extra internal mirror for the examiner

• Dashcam must not record inside the car

Besides the legal stuff, here's some extra tips to get your car test-ready:

• Fill up with fuel

• Top up your oil and water

• Clean the mirrors and windows

• Clear the passenger footwell

• Remove any clutter from the interior

• Ensure exterior lights and number plate are clean and visible

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How is the driving test scored?

Examiners mark faults in three categories:

• Driving faults (minor): These aren’t dangerous on their own but could become serious if repeated. You can have up to 15 and still pass.

• Serious faults: Potentially dangerous actions. One serious fault means a fail.

• Dangerous faults: Actions that cause actual danger. These result in an immediate fail, and the examiner may take control of the vehicle.

If you fail, you’ll need to wait at least 10 working days before retaking the test. If you pass, you’ll receive a certificate and a summary of any faults.

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The format of the driving test

The practical driving test lasts around 40 minutes and is made up of five parts, designed to showcase all the skills and knowledge you’ve gained throughout your learning journey:

Each section is designed to assess your ability to drive safely and confidently in real-life conditions.

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1. The eyesight check

Before you get in the car, your examiner will ask you to read a number plate from 20 metres away. Failing to do so counts as a major fault - if you can’t read the plate, you fail and the test ends immediately.

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2. ‘Show me’, ‘tell me’ vehicle safety questions

Next, you’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions. These questions cover basic car safety and controls, such as checking tyre pressure or operating the windscreen wipers. Incorrect answers can result in a minor fault. However, if you lose control of the car while demonstrating a 'show me' question, it could be marked as a major fault.

• 'Tell me' question: You'll be asked this one before you start driving, and it involved you explaining how to carry out a safety check or task

• 'Show me' question: You'll be asked this one while driving. Here, you’ll demonstrate a safety task, like using the wipers or demister.

Precautionary checks before moving off

Before you drive away, the examiner will check that you’ve carried out basic safety checks. This includes ensuring:

• All doors are shut

• Mirrors are adjusted

• Seatbelt is secure and untwisted

• Handbrake is on

• Car is in neutral or park

Tip: Failing to do these checks properly can lead to faults. For example, starting the car in gear, rolling with the handbrake off, or adjusting mirrors while moving are all common mistakes.

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3. General driving

This part of the test assesses your overall driving ability. The examiner will give you directions and may ask you to:

They’ll be looking for smooth acceleration and braking, confident gear selection, and good awareness of your surroundings. You should demonstrate safe, steady progress and react sensibly to hazards.

Emergency stop (controlled stop)

This is included in roughly one in three tests. The examiner will ask you to stop the car quickly and safely when they give a signal, usually with a raised hand. You’ll need to brake firmly without skidding or losing control, and then move off smoothly when instructed.

Common mistakes include reacting too slowly, braking too gently, or losing control of the car. Practise emergency stops with your instructor so you’re ready if it comes up.

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4. Reversing your vehicle manoeuvres

You’ll be asked to perform one of the following:

Manoeuvres: what you might be asked to do

Each manoeuvre tests your control, observations and positioning. You’ll need to avoid stopping near junctions or driveways, make timely signals, and park neatly within the lines. Repositioning is allowed, but only if it’s done safely and with good awareness.

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5. Independent driving

For the final 20 minutes of your test, you’ll drive independently by following road signs or sat nav directions. The examiner will set up the sat nav if needed.

If you take a wrong turn, don’t panic; you won’t be penalised. Instead, you'll be redirected back on course.

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16 things your examiner will be looking out for

The 16 categories below cover all the other types of faults that examiners will be looking out for during the test. You should familiarise yourself with these before the test and follow them as closely as you can.

1. Control: smooth and safe handling

This section assesses how well you handle the car’s controls. This includes the accelerator, clutch, brakes, steering and handbrake. You’ll need to pull away smoothly, brake gently, and steer without crossing your arms or swinging the car.

Coasting in neutral or riding the clutch can lead to faults. Hitting the kerb is usually a minor fault, unless you mount it or hit it hard, then it’s a major.

2. Moving off: combining control and awareness

When moving off, you’ll need to combine your precautionary checks with good observations and smooth control. That means checking mirrors and blind spots, signalling correctly, and pulling away without stalling or jerking.

Missing any part of this process, like forgetting to check your blind spot, can result in a fault.

3. Mirror use: MSM every time

MSM stands for Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. You’ll be expected to check your mirrors before changing direction or speed. This includes when turning, overtaking, or slowing down.

Did you know? Not using mirrors effectively is one of the most common reasons for minor faults.

4. Signals: clarity and timing matter

You’ll need to signal clearly and in good time. That means indicating before turning or changing lanes, and cancelling your signal afterwards. Late, misleading or missing signals can confuse other road users and lead to faults.

5. Clearance and obstructions

When passing parked cars, cyclists or other obstacles, you must leave enough space and complete the manoeuvre safely. That means not squeezing through tight gaps or overtaking when it’s unsafe.

If you misjudge the space or speed, it could be marked as a fault.

6. Responding to signs and signals

You’ll be expected to respond correctly to road signs, markings and traffic signals. This includes speed limits, stop signs, give way markings and temporary signs.

Missing or misinterpreting a sign, especially if it affects your driving, can result in a fault.

7. Speed: not just about limits

Driving too fast isn’t the only issue; driving too slowly can also be a problem. You’ll need to adjust your speed to suit the road, traffic and weather conditions.

The key is to drive at a safe, appropriate speed that allows you to stop safely if needed.

8. Following distance: keep your space

You should stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front in dry conditions, and four seconds in wet conditions. This gives you time to react if they stop suddenly.

Tailgating or stopping too close in traffic can lead to faults.

9. Progress: don’t hesitate unnecessarily

Driving too slowly or hesitating when it’s safe to go can disrupt traffic and lead to faults. You’ll need to show that you can make progress confidently while still being safe.

This is especially important at junctions and roundabouts.

10. Junctions: observations and positioning

Junctions are one of the most common areas where learners fail. You’ll need to approach at the right speed, make effective observations, signal correctly, and position the car properly.

Cutting corners, turning too close to the kerb, or failing to look properly can all result in faults.

11. Judgement: making safe decisions

This section assesses your ability to judge situations like overtaking, turning right, or giving way to oncoming traffic. You’ll need to show that you can make safe, sensible decisions.

Unsafe overtaking or turning across the path of another vehicle will be marked as serious faults.

12. Positioning: staying in lane

You’ll need to maintain a safe and appropriate position on the road. That means staying within lane markings and positioning correctly at roundabouts and junctions.

Drifting across lanes or being in the wrong position can lead to faults.

13. Pedestrian crossings: know your types

You’ll be expected to recognise and respond to different types of crossings:

• Zebra: Pedestrians have priority

• Pelican: Light-controlled crossings

• Puffin: Sensor-controlled crossings

• Toucan: For pedestrians and cyclists

• Pegasus: For pedestrians and horses

Failing to stop for pedestrians or ignoring crossing signals can result in serious faults.

14. Stopping safely: positional stops

You’ll be asked to pull over and stop several times during the test. You must choose a safe, legal and convenient place, avoiding junctions, bends, bus stops and driveways.

Stopping in an unsafe or illegal spot, or moving off without proper checks, can lead to faults.

15. Awareness and planning

This section looks at how well you anticipate and respond to other road users. You’ll need to plan ahead, react in good time, and avoid last-minute decisions.

Slow reactions or poor planning can result in faults, especially in busy traffic.

16. Eco-safe driving and examiner intervention

Although eco-safe driving doesn’t affect your result, the examiner will give feedback on things like harsh braking, over-revving and gear selection.

If the examiner has to take action, either verbally or physically, it will be recorded. This doesn’t always mean a fail, but it’s not ideal.

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Pass or fail: what happens next

So, the moment of truth arrives. You’ve parked up, taken a deep breath, and now it’s time to hear the verdict.

If you pass – congratulations! You’ll get a certificate and be asked to confirm that your health hasn’t changed since you booked the test. You can start driving straight away, even before your full licence arrives. Just don’t forget to celebrate (safely)!

If you don’t pass this time – don’t worry, it’s not the end of the road. You’ll get a mark sheet showing exactly what went wrong, which is incredibly useful for your next attempt. You’ll need to wait at least 10 working days before you can rebook, but use that time wisely to brush up on the areas that tripped you up.

Remember: Failing a test doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver, it just means you’re still learning. In fact, the average pass rate is currently 49.6%*, so wouldn't be the only one!

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Final thoughts

You’ve done the hard work, now it’s time to trust your training and stay calm. If you’ve been consistent in your lessons and understand what the examiner is looking for, you’re already on the right track.

Think of the test as just another drive, but with a slightly more official passenger. And remember, it's okay if you don't pass first time.

Good luck!

Next guide: Your practical driving test questions answered →

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Sources:

• DVSA - Driving test and theory test data:

  • Car driving tests conducted, passed, pass rates and forward bookings, January 2019 to date: Great Britain

• Marmalade - Driving test checklist