The driving test will soon be changing massively. Click here to see how and voice your opinion

At the moment you must pass the following 2 tests to gain your licence.

Theory test

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. The fee for the test is £30 from April 1st 2008

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.

The Practical driving test

The current driving test is extremely difficult and it's estimated around 95% of current licence holders would fail it if they had to pass again. It's not an ideal way of testing people, the DSA (Driving standards Agency) is aware of this and are planning a totally new kind of test to replace the current one. The new test will be fairer and test people more evenly over a period of time rather than just having to do everything in one big go. You can read details of the new test on our news page, until then we will look at the current test.

The test lasts for around 40 minutes and you're marked only on the mistakes you make, you do not gain any points or marks for doing things well. You're allowed to make 15 minor faults, any more more will result in a fail. A minor fault is something such as forgetting to check a mirror before turning, touching the kerb when you pull up or stopping a bit far back from the end of the road.

A major fault is something more serious such as making any other vehicle stop or change direction, smashing hard into a kerb etc. The last kind of fault is a dangerous fault which is similar to a major fault but more serious and is given when you caused actual danger to other road users. Getting just 1 major or dangerous will obviously result in a fail.

The way the test is marked means you cannot pass a driving test, you can only fail it. When you come out of the test centre you have no marks at all, no faults, you've already passed.  It's more about not doing things wrong rather than being perfect and getting everything spot on. Examiners aren't looking for perfection, they're looking for safety and competence.

The fee from 1st April 2008 is £56.50. Weekend, 730am and 430pm tests are £67.

Show me / Tell me

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! You must do all these test without turning the car on.

Remember that if you are asked to show how to turn the lights on or check the power steering, you must not turn the engine on with the examiner standing outside the car. If you do then you are technically driving on your own without a license and could be failed instantly. Only turn the key to position 2, this only applies to pupils learning with Paul as Rob's car is different.

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

Turn the car on while moving the wheel, it should get lighter as the engine turns on. If it stays stiff then it’s not 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 ¾ of the width of the tyre, all the way round.

Check the tyre pressures

Look in the cars manual and then use a gauge at a garage. If the pressure’s aren’t in the manual they’ll be on a sticker inside the sill by the drivers door or in the fuel cap. 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

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 and listen

Show me how you would…

       Check the water level,brake fluid level, coolant level or power steering reservoir

Point to the correct item then check and see if the fluid is between the minimum and maximum levels. If you are asked about the power steering then tell the examiner this car has electric power steering so it won’t have a reservoir (all 1stdrive cars have electric power steering). You do not need to touch anything for this, just point as the engine will be very hot.

 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 lights on (turning the key to position 2 first if needed) and walk around and check them. If you turn the key make sure you don’t turn the car on. If the engine starts without the examiner being in the car then you’re technically driving on your own without supervision which is illegal and you can be failed instantly. You must walk around the car and check them, not just describe how to do it.

The questions below are new ones that will be asked from July 1st 2008....

Show me how you'd clean the windscreen using the wipers

Rob's car -

Pauls car - 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.

Show me how you'd switch on the rear foglights and explain when you'd use them

Rob's car -

Paul's car - Pull the light switch out towards you twice (once only puts on the front lights). Fog lights can only be used when visibility is below 100 metres.

Show me how to switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and check them from inside the car

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.

Tell me how you 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 your ears

Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with the ABS

A warning light comes on the dashboard that looks like a car skidding

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