Get ready for your driving test
Passing your driving test gives you independence and freedom. But taking your test too early could lead to a failed test, disappointment, and potentially delays to you getting on the road.
53 out of every 100
driving tests were failed during November 2022 in Great Britain.
Check you’re ready to take the test
1. You do not need prompts from your driving instructor.
2. You do not make silly mistakes when you’re driving.
3. You pass mock driving tests.
4. You can control your nerves.
5. Your driving instructor agrees you’re ready.
You’re ready to take your driving test when you can drive safely and follow The Highway Code without any prompts from your instructor, while keeping your nerves under control.
Mark Winn, Chief Driving Examiner
Move your test if you’re not ready
Moving your driving test back if you’re not ready can give you vital time to:
- brush up on your skills
- take a few more mock tests
- make sure you’re ready to pass
By moving your test, you’ll free up an appointment for someone who is ready to take their test. This could help them get their dream job, or help with caring for their family.
Keep track of your progress
People who have a combination of both do best when they take their driving test.
On average, it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons with a driving instructor and 22 hours of practice with family or friends to learn to drive.
If you’re making silly mistakes
1 in 5 people who fail their driving test say the main reason they fail is because they made a silly mistake on the day.
If you’re making silly mistakes during your driving lessons or private practice, it means you’re not ready to drive safely on your own yet.
The best way to avoid making silly mistakes is practice, practice, practice.
You’ll be ready to take your test when you’re reaching level 5 on all of the driving skills on the learner driver’s record during every lesson you have.
Find a driving instructor
Find fully-qualified approved driving instructors near you
Take private practice
Check who you’re allowed to take private practice with
Keep a record
Find out how to keep a record of the private practice you do with family or friends
Take mock driving tests
Mock driving tests are just as important.
1 in 5 people who fail their driving test say the main reason they failed is because they were marked too harshly.
Driving examiners are trained road safety experts with lots of experience of driving and marking tests. They mark based on how you drive during your test.
Benefits of mock tests
Take mock tests with your driving instructor to:
- get used to how the driving test works
- understand the standard that’s expected
- understand how the marking works, so you’re not left thinking you were marked too harshly during the real thing
Talk to your driving instructor about taking mock tests.
They might suggest you take a mock test with a different instructor, so you’re used to driving with someone you do not know.
Learn to control your nerves
Everyone is nervous to some level when they take their driving test.
Driving examiners expect that. They’ll do their best to help you relax.
Being able to control your nerves is a really important skill – and not just for your driving test. You might be nervous the first time you:
- drive in an unfamiliar city on your own
- have to deal with a really complex roundabout
- drive on country roads at night
So learning how to control your nerves is a vital skill for new drivers.
Talk to your instructor about mindfulness training. Mindfulness can help you to manage anxiety, feel relaxed and stay focused.
You can also search for apps that help with mindfulness.
If you cannot control your nerves, it means you’re not safe.
Find out how to control your driving test nerves
Tips from driving examiners: talking can help on test day
Take the right things to your test
- forget to take the right documents with them
- take a car that does not meet the rules
- arrive late for their appointment
- go to the wrong driving test centre
Don’t be one of them.
What to take
Find out what documents you must take with you for your test to go ahead
Check the car rules
If you’re planning to take the test in your own car, check the rules that it needs to meet
How the test works
What happens during the test
Your test will last about 40 minutes – find out what you’ll need to do
Practise the ‘show me, tell me’ questions
Learn about the ‘show me, tell me’ questions you’ll be asked
Top 10 faults people make
Check that you’re not making any of the top 10 faults that people make during the driving test