What will happen during the driving test

Starting your driving test

Your examiner will come and find you when it is time for your driving test. You will walk together to the car. The examiner will tell you what will happen during the test and where to drive during your test. You will drive in both urban and rural traffic. The driving test will take at least 25 minutes.

Nervous about your test?

It is very common to be nervous about doing the driving test. If you feel nervous and stressed, by all means say so. This will allow you and your examiner to have a bit of a chat before your test. Please let us know if there is anything in particular you would like the examiner to know about you so that your test goes as well as possible.

Safety check

The driving test will start with you being asked to carry out a safety check of the car. The examiner will give you clear instructions on what to check on the car. You may be asked to check items such as:

• Wheels and tyres.
• Washer fluid.
• Coolant.
• Brakes.

You must be able to suggest what to do if you notice any problems with the car. You should ask the examiner for help if you are unable to complete any part of the safety check yourself.

When you get in the car, you have to adjust your seat, headrest, steering wheel, mirrors and seatbelt.

Driving in urban and rural traffic

You will drive in both rural and urban traffic. The examiner will tell you well in advance where to drive. The examiner will be watching:

• How you adjust your speed.
• Your positioning on the road.
• Your attention and risk awareness.
• Effective braking.

You must be able to demonstrate that you are able to brake effectively during the test. Effective braking means bringing the car to a halt in as short a distance as possible. The examiner will give you clear instructions on the task and let you know when you have completed it.

You will brake the car at a speed of at least 50 km/h. The road conditions will determine the speed at which you are asked to brake.

Parking

You will have to park in a car park or a roadside parking bay. You will tell the examiner when you think you have finished parking.

Reversing

You will be asked to reverse during the driving test. The examiner will tell you clearly where to reverse and how far, for example. This will give you plenty of opportunity to plan your reversing manoeuvre.

Hill start

You must be able to perform a hill start on an uphill or downhill slope.

Making a U-turn

The examiner may ask you to make a U-turn during the driving test. You must be able to make a U-turn in a designated location or a location of your choice.

Moving off from the roadside

The examiner may ask you to move off from the roadside.

Use of controls

You must be able to use or change any of the car’s controls while you drive. The weather may make you think you have to use a control.

Vulnerable road users

During your driving test, you may pass vulnerable road users or children at play. It is important for you to understand the potential risks and adapt your driving accordingly.

Driving in lanes

You may find yourself in situations where you have several lanes going in the same direction, and you have to choose a lane in order to continue your journey.

Changing lane

You may need to change lanes on one or more occasions during your driving test. When changing lanes, it is important for you to show that you can

• Interact with other road users.
• Plan your driving.
• Clearly show where you are going.
• Maintain the correct distance to the vehicle in front.
• Junctions.

You will pass different types of junctions where traffic rules and visibility may vary. It is important for you to know which traffic rules apply, adapt your speed and interact well with others.

Signal-controlled junctions

You may pass junctions controlled by traffic lights during your test. It is important here to show that you can

• Adapt your driving as you approach the junction.
• Anticipate various events.
• Be prepared when the lights change.
• A video showing examples of this can be viewed on our Instagram account.

Roundabouts

How you interact with other road users, show your intentions, signal and position your car on the road are all important factors when navigating roundabouts during your test. It is also important for you to follow the rules of the road.

Passing stationary vehicles

It is important for you to adjust your speed and anticipate various events when passing stationary vehicles. There may be a bus at a bus stop, for example, or cars parked along a road.

Driving in urban areas

During your test, you will drive in urban areas with different speed limits and traffic environments.

Independent driving to a destination

You will be tasked with driving independently to different destinations. This may be a destination that you are familiar with, and in that case you select your own route. It may also be a destination that is signposted.

If you make a mistake and head in the wrong direction, the examiner may ask you to make a U-turn and continue towards your intended destination. If you realise you have made a mistake, you can make a U-turn and carry on driving to your intended destination

Driving near roadworks

Roadworks are fairly common on the roads. Some are indicated by means of temporary road markings to help you pass as safely as possible. It is important for you to understand the potential risks and adapt your driving accordingly.

Railway crossings

You may pass a railway or tramway crossing during your test.Narrow and/or winding roads

You may drive along narrow and winding roads with different speed limits during your test. These may be gravel tracks or surfaced roads.

Motorways, dual carriageways

During the test, you may be asked to drive on a motorway or dual carriageway or similar, where the speed limit may be up to 120 km/h.

Joining rural roads

When you join rural roads with different speed limits, you must be able to plan and execute your manoeuvre safely. It is important for you to

• Adapt your speed.
• Position the car correctly.
• Focus on your driving.
• Turning off a rural road.

When you turn off rural roads with different speed limits, you must be able to plan and execute your manoeuvre safely. It is also important to focus on how you

• Adapt your speed.
• Position the car.
• Signal.
• Use the verge where necessary.

Driving on rural roads

You may drive along different types of rural roads with different speed limits during your test.

Overtaking

When you need to overtake another vehicle during the test, where you choose to overtake, how you manoeuvre your car and signal are all important factors.

Oncoming traffic

You may find yourself in situations that require action by you and interaction with other road users. It is important for you to be able to demonstrate your ability to assess risk due to oncoming traffic.

Reduced visibility and darkness

Darkness, fog, heavy precipitation and low sun are a few examples of aspects that may affect visibility during your test.
Hazardous road conditions

The roads may be slippery when you take your test. They may be slippery because of snow, ice, wet road surfaces, mud or tarmac warmed by the sun. It is important for you to adapt your driving to the road conditions.

Situation-specific questions

The examiner may choose to ask you a question or two related to situations that arise during your driving test.

FAQ about the driving test​