The practical test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends & bank holidays. Beware, unofficial websites may charge more.
To book the practical test, you must have passed the theory test.
Before you start the driving ability part of your test, you’ll have an eyesight check and be asked 2 vehicle safety questions.
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate (or 20.5 metres for old-style plates). You can write down what you see if you can’t speak English or have difficulty reading.
You’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue if you can’t pass the eyesight test.
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
The examiner will ask you one ‘show me’ question, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check.
You’ll also be asked one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check.
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
During your test the examiner will give you directions that you should follow. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions. You should drive in the way your instructor has trained you.
It should include:
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
You’ll have to show how well you can reverse your vehicle. The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:
Your driving test will include around 10 minutes of independent driving. It’s designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions on your own.
It won't affect the result of your test if you go off the independent driving route, unless you make a driving fault.
The examiner will help you get back on the route if you go off it or take a wrong turning. You can then continue with the independent driving.
Carry on if you make a mistake, because if it’s not a serious mistake it might not affect your result, however, the examiner is allowed to stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.
Your examiner will ask if you want your instructor, or another person, to:
The examiner’s supervisor may come along as well. They will be watching the examiner’s performance, not yours. The supervisor won’t have any say in how you’re tested or in your result.
You’ll pass your test if you make:
When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over if they didn’t go with you on your test. This is so they can listen to the result and help you with any feedback afterwards.
The examiner will:
There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:
The examiner will give you a pass certificate if you pass the test. They will also ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically.
Once you have passed your test you can start driving straight away - you don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
You have to wait another 10 working days before you can take another test if you don’t pass. Working days don’t include Sundays and public holidays.
As published on Gov.uk
Book Practical Test » Read about theory test »
Sutton Test Centre
Helena House, 348 High Street, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1PU
Morden Test Centre
10 Tudor Drive, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4PE
