1stDrive.comDriving tests in Birmingham | ||||||||
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You can use this page to learn about the theory test, practical test and the show me/tell me questions. I have now written a whole new site dedicated to the driving tests, visit it by clicking the link below.
Current fee since April 2009 - £31 The theory test is now in 2 parts, the theory questions and hazard perception. From September 3rd 2007 the theory test now includes 50 questions out of which you'll need to get 43 correct. There will be many new questions about the effect of driving on the environment, uninsured driving and motorways and about driving schools and lessons in general. From January 2012 the multiple choice questions are no longer being published in books. Too many people were just memorising answers such as "This sign is answer C" without actually knowing what the sign means. You can still buy books and DVD's on the theory and mock tests still exist. You just can't practice the questions that you'll have in the real test anymore but it doesn't make any difference.
Case studies - On September 28th 2009 there was a new element to the theory test. You will just be asked 5 questions based upon a story, these 5 questions count as part of the 50 you get asked in total. For example, you may read that you were taking a lesson with your driving school and came across an accident that had closed the road and made you turn around and take a different route. You'll be asked what you should do before turning, how to warn other road users etc. All these new questions are covered in the latest books and DVDs. Hazard perception - In this you have to watch 14 video clips and identify hazards in each one. You do this by clicking on a mouse button whenever you see a potential developing hazard, you must click before the hazard happens, not once it has already happened because then it's too late. For example if you see someone in the distance walking behind a parked car you click as they disappear from view. Once they reappear on the other side of the car and you have to slow down then it's too late to click. Remember a developing hazard is one that builds in danger as you approach as with the previous example. A road sign or a a speed change is not a developing hazard because it doesn't move or change, it's a static object. You can practice this yourself by buying a cd rom for £9.99 from anywhere like PC World or Game. You can often find them on ebay for less than £5. The best one in our opinion is called Driving Test Success - Hazard Perception. This CD ROM is even better than the real exam as it tells you exactly what you scored and where. The real tests only gives you a pass or fail. There're 2 CD's with 100 practice clips on. You must pass both the theory and the hazard perception on the same test to get your theory certificate and number. Without these you cannot book a practical test. If you hold a full bike licence you may not have to take the theory test.
Current fee since April 2009 - £62 normal times/£75 weekends and 4:30pm
Before we look at the test let me ask you something. Do you know what the point of the driving test is? It's a question i asked every pupil for 8 years until i gave up due to nobody ever giving the correct answer! It's not to prove how good you are, it doesn't mean you can drive, it doesn't even mean you know everything you need to. The point of the driving test is to show you have the minimum amount of ability to be allowed to continue practicing learning to drive on your own. Passing it isn't the end of learning to drive, it's the beginning. You don't get a full licence for two years after you've passed. For the fist two years you're on probation and you only get the standard full licence, allowing you up to 12 penalty points, after two years. You can read more about the new drivers act, by clicking here. The test lasts for about 35 minutes and the examiner looks at your driving as a whole, you are not just marked for every fault you make. If you forget to check your mirrors 10 times that doesn't mean you'll get 10 marks, it might just be 2 marks. It depends on what the fault is, how often you do it and how serious it is. There are 3 main kinds of fault Driver fault - Otherise known as a minor, this is something small but worth mentioning such as tapping a kerb when you pull up, forgetting a mirror check, going a bit slow etc. You're allowed 15 of these but as mentioned above, that doesn't mean 15 faults. Serious fault - Anything such as making another vehicle slow down, striking a kerb hard, pulling out on somebody on a roundabout etc. One of these means you won't pass Dangerous fault - These are usually given where the examiner had to take control of the car to avoid an accident. One will mean you don't pass. Once you have a test booked you can move it 3 times or cancel it and get your money back so long as you give 3 working days notice. There is no pressure to stick to the first test date you're given. Contrary to popular belief, driving schools and driving instructors have nothing to do with conducting tests. They are not done by any school, a government agency called the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) conduct all the tests. I'm often asked why tests are at such odd times such as 0907, 1044, 1527 etc. It's just because there have been many alterations to the test over the years such as show me/tell me and independent driving. This has resulted in the test times being moved back a few minutes here and there. It's also so that tests can be done during daylight hours, just moving back each test by 1 or 2 minutes allows an extra test to be fitted in at the end of each day.
On the way to your car with the examiner you'll be asked 2 questions. One will be asking you to show them something and the other to tell them something, all the questions regard car maintenance and general knowledge. If you get either or both questions wrong you just get 1 minor fault - you do not fail the test. You can't move the car before testing any parts of it, for example if you drove off then pressed the brakes and they weren't working then it's too late! Always sit in the car before turning the key in the ignition. Never turn the key while leaning in through the open door. Two people in Birmingham have been killed in recent years because of this. The car turned on, drove off and they were crushed after being dragged under the wheels. Do not turn the car on unless the examiner is sitting in the passenger seat. Turning the engine on while you are alone in the car is technically driving without a licence. Many driving schools now use modern cars have lights on the dashboard which show you any problems with the vehicle. It's not good enough to just look for the light though because if the bulb in the dashboard has gone then the warning light will not come on where as a manual check will always work.
Tell me how you would...
Check the handbrake is working When pulled up it should click 4 or 5 times and feel stiff. If it travels very high and doesn't stop or get stiffer then it's not working
Check the power steering is working
Check the footbrake is working Pump the brake pedal while the car is turned off. After several pumps it should get stiffer and resist being pushed down.
Check the tyres Look for cuts, bulges, over or under inflated tyres. Tread depth should be 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the width of the tyre, all the way round. There should be no nails or objects stuck in the tyre. Make sure you turn the tyres fully left or right before checking them, just looking at them side on won't allow you to see the full width of the tread.
(Checking your tyres is vital. Anytime the police stop you, even for a random stop, they will check your tyres. For each tyre in bad condition you'll get 3 points and a fine.)
Find and check the tyre pressures
Look in the cars manual to find the pressures and then use a gauge at a fuel garage on your tyres and it will display the pressures. If the pressures aren't in the manual they'll be on a sticker on the sill by the driver or passengers door, behind the fuel cap or you can look them up online. (Tyre pressures are not on the tyres because the same size tyre can have different pressures depending on the weight of the vehicle it's fitted to. For example a size 195 tyre would need more pressure if fitted to a Ford Focus than it would fitted to a Ford Fiesta. If ever you're not sure just fill the tyre until it looks ok (no sagging or bulging) and then get it checked at a garage as soon as you can)
Check the brake lights Hold the brake pedal down with the engine on and get someone to check them. If nobody's around park by a garage door, tree etc and look for reflection.
Check the horn Press the horn.
Make sure your head restraint is in the correct position It should be in a position so your head rests on it when you lean back. It should be at least as high as the bottom of your ears.
How you'd know if there was a problem with the ABS A warning light comes on the dashboard that says ABS. The only manual way to check this would be to brake hard and see if the car skidded which isn't a good idea so this is the only question you can answer by referring to the warning lights on the dashboard.
Check the main beam is working Pull the indicator stick towards you while the lights are on and look for the main beam shining in front of the car. The blue main beam light will also display on the dash.
Show me how you would...
Clean the windscreen using the wipers Hold the button in on the end of the wiper stick for a few seconds. For the rear window, pull the stick out towards you.
Switch on the rear foglights and explain when you'd use them Turn the key to position 2 to activate the electrics. Turn the lightson by twisting the dial twice to the right then press the rear fog light button by the light switch (the one to the right of the main dial). You need them when visibility is below 100 metres.
Set the heater up to demist the front windscreen Turn the key to position 2 to activate the electrics. Turn all the heater dials as far right as they'll go and press the heated screen button in the middle of the temperature dial.
Switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and check them from inside the car Turn the lights on then hold the indicator stick towards you. Pull it towards you hard to the leave the beam on. A blue light will show on the dashboard when the main beam is on.
Check the water level,brake fluid level, etc Point to the correct item then check and see if the fluid is between the minimum and maximum levels.
Check the oil level Pull out the dipstick and wipe it, put it back in, pull it out again and check if you can see oil between the maximum / minimum line. You must wipe the stick and pull it out again because the oil will have been moving around while you drive and the whole stick will look dirty. You do not need to touch anything for this, just point as the engine will be very hot.
Check your indicators are working Put on the hazard lights and walk around the car looking at them. Remember you have to physically walk around the car and look at them because this is a show me question. You can also tell if a signals broken because when you indicate left or right the other 2 signals on that side will flash and tick twice as fast as normal. You don't need to tell the examiner this, it's just a tip.
Check the front and tail lights Turn the key to position 2 to activate the electrics. Turn the lights on by twisting the dial twice to the right then walk around and check them.
Under the Bonnet Click on the photo below to enlarge it and view the things you need to know.
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