£62
Practical test fee (weekday)
As of June 2026. Verify at GOV.UK. Fees may change.
£75
Practical test fee (weekend)
Weekend and bank holiday bookings cost more. Verify at GOV.UK.
~40 min
Driving time during the test
Plus check-in, the eyesight check, and debrief. Allow around 1 hour in total.
Book early: waiting times are long
Practical test waiting times have been severe since the COVID backlog. In many areas, waits of 3 to 6 months or more have been common. The DVSA booking service at GOV.UK is the only place to check current availability for your local test centres.
Book as soon as you feel close to test-ready. You can reschedule if you need more time, provided you give at least 3 clear working days' notice. Waiting until you feel certain before even checking availability costs weeks.
What the test involves
The practical driving test is conducted by a DVSA examiner and takes place on public roads around the test centre.
Eyesight check. Before you drive, the examiner asks you to read a number plate from 20 metres (verify with DVSA for the current standard). Failing the eyesight check ends the test immediately.
Show me / tell me question. One question before you start driving (you answer verbally), one question while driving (you demonstrate). A wrong answer counts as a single driving fault, not an automatic fail.
Normal driving. A variety of road types and conditions: town roads, residential streets, A-roads, dual carriageways where available. The examiner observes how you make decisions, observe hazards, use the controls, and interact with other road users.
Independent driving section. Around 20 minutes where you drive without step-by-step instructions, following either a sat-nav or road signs. The DVSA provides the sat-nav.
Manoeuvre. Usually one manoeuvre: bay parking (driving in or reversing in), parallel parking, or pulling up on the right and reversing. Verify the current list with DVSA at time of booking, as this has been updated before.
Emergency stop. Not on every test. The examiner includes it on approximately one in three. If included, the examiner signals you to stop as quickly and safely as possible.
The independent driving section
The independent driving section lasts around 20 minutes, roughly half the total driving time. The examiner gives you a destination or route at the start, then sits quietly while you drive.
Most candidates follow a sat-nav provided by DVSA. A minority are asked to follow road signs instead. If you are following the sat-nav and it loses signal, or if you take a wrong turn, you are not penalised for that. The examiner is watching how you drive: whether you remain safe, observe, and make decisions sensibly, not whether you navigate perfectly.
This section is where many nervous candidates struggle. They have spent their lessons following their instructor's directions and have not driven long stretches without prompts. Practising independent driving with a supervising driver before your test is worth the time.
Show me / tell me questions
Two questions in total: one "tell me" question before you start driving, one "show me" question while you are driving.
A "tell me" question requires a verbal answer. Example: "Tell me how you would check that the power-assisted steering is working." A "show me" question requires you to demonstrate while driving. Example: "Show me how you would turn on the rear heated screen."
A wrong answer counts as a single driving fault (minor). It does not fail the test on its own.
The DVSA publishes the full list of possible questions on GOV.UK. There are around 20 combined. Reviewing them before your test takes less than an hour and eliminates any chance of being caught out.
How faults are counted
There are three types of fault.
Driving fault (minor). A less serious error. You can accumulate up to 15 driving faults and still pass. Reach 16 and that alone is a fail. Three or more of the same driving fault may also be upgraded to a serious fault.
Serious fault. One serious fault is an immediate fail. Serious faults are errors that could have caused danger, even if nothing bad actually happened in the moment.
Dangerous fault. One dangerous fault is an immediate fail. A dangerous fault involves actual danger to the examiner, candidate, or another road user.
After the test, you receive a DL25 test report. This shows every fault marked during the test and where it occurred. If you fail, this report is the most useful thing you can take to your next lesson. It tells your instructor exactly what happened.
How to book the practical test
Book through the DVSA's official service at GOV.UK. What you need:
- Your theory test pass certificate number
- Your driving licence number
- A payment card (£62 weekday, £75 weekend. Verify at GOV.UK.)
You can choose your preferred test centre and see available slots. Centres fill up quickly, especially in urban areas. If your nearest centre has no slots, look at centres within reasonable distance.
You can change or cancel your booking up to 3 clear working days before the test. Less notice than this and you forfeit the fee.
If you fail
There is no mandatory waiting period. You can rebook immediately.
Read the DL25 test report carefully. It shows you every fault, categorised by type and location. Share it with your instructor and work through the specific issues rather than doing general driving sessions.
Watch the theory certificate expiry date. If your theory pass is getting close to its 2-year limit, factor that into how quickly you rebook.
Get practical guidance for test-ready learners: what to practise, what to bring, and what the examiner is really checking.
Common questions about the driving test
How many faults can I get on a driving test?▾
Up to 15 driving faults (minor) and still pass. One serious or dangerous fault means an immediate fail. Reaching 16 driving faults also results in a fail, as does accumulating 3 or more of the same driving fault, which can be upgraded to a serious fault.
How long does a driving test take?▾
Around 40 minutes of actual driving, plus time for check-in, the eyesight check, and the debrief at the end. Allow roughly an hour at the test centre in total.
Can I use my own car for the driving test?▾
Yes. You can use your own car, your instructor's car, or any car that meets the DVSA's requirements: taxed, insured for the test, roadworthy, and with L plates front and rear. Check the DVSA's full vehicle requirements at GOV.UK.
Can I take the test in an automatic car?▾
Yes. If you pass in an automatic, your licence restricts you to automatics. To drive a manual car, you would need to take a separate test in a manual vehicle.
What is the difference between a serious fault and a minor fault?▾
A minor (driving) fault is a less serious error that did not cause danger. Up to 15 of these and you still pass. A serious fault is an error that could have been dangerous. One of these is an immediate fail. A dangerous fault involves actual danger during the test, and is also an immediate fail.
What should I bring on the day?▾
Your valid photocard driving licence. No licence means no test and you lose the fee. If your licence has a paper counterpart, bring that too. If you are using your own car, make sure it is taxed, insured, and has L plates displayed front and rear.
Can I have my instructor in the car during the test?▾
Yes. Your approved driving instructor (ADI) can sit in the back seat and observe. They cannot speak during the test. Their presence is optional. Many candidates prefer the examiner and driver alone.
Is the sat-nav provided by DVSA or do I bring my own?▾
DVSA provides the sat-nav for the independent driving section. You do not need to bring one. If you are following road signs instead (a minority of tests), no sat-nav is involved.
What happens if I have an accident during the test?▾
The examiner will stop the test if there is an accident or immediate safety concern. The test result depends on the circumstances. A collision caused by the candidate would typically result in a fail. The examiner will advise on next steps at the test centre.
What is the pass rate for driving tests in the UK?▾
The UK first-time pass rate is typically around 45 to 50 per cent. It varies by test centre, and some areas have consistently higher rates than others. The DVSA publishes annual statistics on GOV.UK. Failing first time is common and does not reflect on your eventual ability to drive.