• Your Driving Test

    Ok, you want to take your driving test but are not quite sure what exactly is involved. To begin with there are some requirements you must meet with.

    You must have passed your theory test before you can book your driving test.

    Work towards the DVSA guide "Ready to Pass"

    1. You do not need prompts from your driving instructor

    You need to be dealing with every part of driving consistently, confidently and independently – without any prompting from your driving instructor.

    You’ll be getting ready for your test when you’re able to adapt to situations and see why developing your skills makes you safer and more fuel-efficient.


    2. You do not make serious or dangerous mistakes when you’re driving

    You need to be a good and safe driver to pass the driving test.

    If you’re making serious or dangerous mistakes during your driving lessons and brushing them off as ‘silly mistakes’, you’re not ready to pass your driving test and drive on your own.

    3. You can pass mock driving tests

    Taking and passing mock driving tests with your driving instructor will help you understand if you’ve reached the standard that’s needed to pass.

    Are you able to drive with minimal or no intervention from your instructor? If not then you'll need a little longer to practice. Dont forget at this moment there is still plenty of time to perfect your skills but you should be working close to becoming fully independent.

    Does your instructor think you are ready for the test? You'll be keen to want to take it but think! Would a few extra lessons be more cost effective and ensure that pass you so want?

    Are you available for your test? Make sure you haven't arranged a 'night out' the day before or have other commitments on the day you want to take your test. Remember you cannot attend for your test if you are self isolating.

    It's good to be prepared. Read about what is involved on this page and make sure you understand what are the requirements.

    Make sure you have your driving licence. Without it you won't be able to take your driving test. No exceptions!

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  • What's Involved

    There are 5 parts to the driving test:

    • an eyesight check
    • ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
    • general driving ability
    • reversing your vehicle
    • independent driving

    The test will be the same for both manual and automatic cars.

    How long does the test last?

    You’ll drive for around 35-40 minutes.

    You’ll drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.

    Taking someone with you

    You can ask for your instructor or supervisor to accompany you on your test.

    You cannot take a foreign language interpreter with you. You have to take the test in English or Welsh.

    Eyesight check

    You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

    20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

    20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

    New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

    You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

    At Driving-Ed you'll be required to take the same eye sight test at the commencement of your course of driving tuition, so you'll have no problems on the day of your test.

    Show Me, Tell Me Questions

    You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.

    You’ll be asked the:

    ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving

    ‘show me’ question while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

    We'll be practicing these during your lessons so you can go into the test full of confidence.

    You can download the Tell Me questions and view a video of the Show Me questions on this page.

    Your general driving ability

    At Driving-Ed we will get you fully prepared for your driving test so that all of these elements of the test should just fall into place on the day. Of course you may be nervous but you should also be confident that the skills you have learnt will give you success. It's time to believe you are going to be successful.

    You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

    The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes aren’t published, so you can’t check them before your test and it's not something we really want you to become overly familiar with. During your lessons and particularly on the run up to your test we'll spend time in the locality of your chosen test centre but ultimately it's important to be able to drive anywhere.

    Pulling over at the side of the road. You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

    Normal stops at the side of the road including pulling out from behind a parked vehicle and a hill start.

    You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

    Reversing

    The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

    • parallel park at the side of the road
    • park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
    • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

    Independent driving

    You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either directions from a sat nav or traffic signs

    The examiner will tell you which you have to do.

    Following directions from a sat nav

    The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.

    You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test.

    Going off the route

    Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it. It's ok to go the wrong way, correctly!

    The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do happen to take an wrong turn.

    If you can’t see traffic signs (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

    Progress Assessment

    At Driving-Ed we can provide you with at least 1 "progress assessment” before your actual driving test. There could even be the possibility of being tested by another instructor to add realism for you. If you are interested in this please ask Jonathan.

    Making mistakes

    You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

    The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

    If you think something you have done has caused you to fail and you ask the examiner to tell you be aware that they can only inform you once the test is concluded. If you insist that you want to know they will end the test where you are and tell you. However due to the insurance regulations you are not allowed to continue to drive and the examiner is also not insured to drive you back to the test centre. Both of you would be required to walk back!

    If you make a mistake

    You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.

    If you make a serious or dangerous fault, which means you’ve failed, your driving examiner will continue to complete the test in most circumstances but won’t tell you that you’ve made that mistake.

    What are Driving Faults (Minors)?

    There are 3 types of fault you can make

    • a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
    • a serious fault - something potentially dangerous
    • a driving fault - this isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault (This is often known as 'a minor')

    Pass Mark: You will pass the driving test if:

    no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)

    no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)

    If you pass your test the examiner will:

    tell you what faults you made, if any

    give you a pass certificate

    ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this

    send you an email with your driving test report on for you to review the marking

    At the end of your test

    Your driving examiner will:

    give you your test result feedback

    ask if you want your instructor to come over to listen to the feedback

    It’s a Pass! What next?

    At the end of the test your examiner will ask you if you’d like them to keep your old licence and receive your new, FULL licence in the post. It usually takes no more than 2 weeks to receive your new licence. More often than not it’s just a few days.

    You can also apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test if you don’t want to get your licence automatically.

    TIP: Want to update your photo? Let your examiner apply for your new licence on your behalf and when it arrives pop over to the post office and ask for a form to change the details on your new licence. Send it off, with your new photo.

    When you can start driving:

    You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You don’t need to wait for your full licence to arrive. Contact DVLA if your full licence hasn’t arrived 3 weeks after you applied for it.

    You’re unsuccessful. What happens now?

    If you are unsuccessful the examiner will explain what the faults were that caused you to fail and send you a copy of the driving test report to you by email.

    We’ll discuss where you need to improve and plan how to prepare you for another driving test.

    You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away. It’s usually possible to book a new test on the same day but you won’t be able to take it within 10 working days (about 2 weeks).

    You can appeal if you think your examiner didn’t follow the regulations when they carried out your test.

  • Safety Questions: Show Me, Tell Me

    You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.

    The examiner will ask you one:

    ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving

    ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving

    You’ll get one driving fault (sometimes called a ‘minor’) if you get one or both questions wrong.

  • Show Me questions

    View our Show Me video from our previous tuition car. We'll go through these on the run up to your test so you are fully confident in being able to operate the correct switches.

  • Tell Me questions

    1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
    Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

    2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
    Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

    3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
    The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

    4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
    No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

    5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

    6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
    Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

    7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

    8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
    Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

    9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
    If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
    Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

    10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
    Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

    11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
    Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

    12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
    Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

    13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
    Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

    14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
    Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
    You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.

  • Driving Test Centre locations

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    Darlington

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    Northallerton

  • What do I need?

    Important stuff that you’ll need to have!

    Your driving test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

    You must be in possession of your provisional driving licence. You will not be allowed to take the test without it.

    You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours before your test. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

    You may need your theory test pass certificate, though in practice because you can’t book a test without having passed your theory test it is rarely asked for.

    Face Covering: You will have personal choice on whether you want to wear a face covering on your driving or theory test.

    Candidates no longer have to let DVSA know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test.

    DVSA driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish.

    Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your instructor during driving lessons in England.

    A suitable car. Your car must:

    Your car must:

    • have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light
    • have no tyre damage and meet the legal tread depth on each tyre - you must not have a space-saver spare tyre fitted
    • be roadworthy
    • be fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
    • be fitted with a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed)
    • be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer
    • be fitted with L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
    • have 4 wheels and meet the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg

    The car must:

    • be taxed
    • have a current MOT (if it’s over 3 years old)
    • be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)

    Dashcams and other cameras

    You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

    • faces outside of the car and does not film the inside
    • does not record audio from inside the car

    Manual and automatic cars

    You can take the test in a:

    • manual car - these have 3 pedals
    • automatic or semi-automatic car - these have 2 pedals

    If you take your test in a semi-automatic car you’ll only be able to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars once you’ve passed your test.

    Hire cars

    You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

    Vehicle features

    You can use a car with:

    • an electronic parking brake
    • hill-start assist
    • an electronic parking brake
    • hill-start assist
    • cruise control
    • speed limiters
    • parking sensors and cameras
    • lane assist
    • blind spot monitoring
    • traffic sign recognition

    If your car has the following features, you cannot use them during the test:

    • self-parking
    • Tesla autopilot
    • your own sat nav

    Prohibited Cars

    Some cars cannot be used in the test because they do not give the examiner all-round vision.

    You cannot use any of the following:

    • any panel van (cars without rear seats or rear side windows)
    • BMW 218 convertible
    • BMW Mini convertible
    • Ford KA convertible
    • Smart Fortwo (2-door)
    • Toyota iQ
    • VW Beetle convertible

    Check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you book your test if you want to use a:

    • convertible car
    • panel van

    There are some cars that may be prohibited due to safety check recalls. These include some Citroen, Vauxhall, Toyota & Peugeot makes.

    Check if your car can be used before booking a test

    You can check if your car can be used by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

    Always check if you want to use a:

    • convertible car
    • coupe (a car with a fixed roof, two doors and a sloping rear)

    DVSA driving test enquiries
    customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
    Telephone: 0300 200 1122
    WhatsApp (message only, no calls): +44 (0)1908 787001
    Webchat
    Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

    Tinted windows

    Your windscreen and front side windows must follow the rules for tinted vehicle windows.

    There are no rules for rear windows, but your test may be cancelled if they are too dark for the examiner to see clearly.

    Hire cars

    You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

  • Driving Test Fees

    As well as the fee payable to the DVSA for the driving test (This is currently £62 for a weekday test or £75 for a weekend test) there is a fee for using the tuition car you have learnt to drive in to take your driving test.

    This session involves up to 3 hours of time. The amount of time needed will be decided by your instructor and includes collection from a place you choose, a ‘warm up’ drive, fully insured use of the driving school vehicle for your test and your return to the location you specify.

    Driving test fees for the use of the tuition car will be charged at a rate of £89 for a weekday test and £107 for a weekend test from 1 April 2025.

    Therefore a weekday driving test with the tuition vehicle will cost you £151 and a weekend test £182.

  • Disability Assistance 

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    Contact me to learn more...

    At Driving-Ed I'll do my best to accommodate any disability.

     

    When you book your driving test you should say if you have a:

    disability

    health condition

    learning difficulty

    a reason for not wearing a face covering

     

    You’ll still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments for your situation.

     

    If you have a disability you might be allowed more time for your test if you have certain disabilities. It will give the examiner time to talk to you about: your disability and any adaptations fitted to your car.

     

    If you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment the examiner will use written notes at the start of the test to explain what will happen. If you lip read, they’ll also look at you so you can lip read what they’re saying. The examiner will usually give directions to you as hand signals. These will be explained to you before your test starts.

     

    Using a sign language interpreter. You can take a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter with you. They must be at least 16 years old. Your driving instructor can be your interpreter. You need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge. You can claim the cost back after your test.

     

    If you’re pregnant you can take a driving test at any stage of your pregnancy. However, you must be able and willing to do an emergency stop.

     

    If you have reading difficulties when you do the eyesight check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud.

     

    If you have learning difficulties the examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test if you have learning difficulties. They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of directions from a sat nav.

  • Booking Your Driving Test

    • This section is important. Please take time to read it and do ask Jonathan if you are unsure about booking your driving test.
    • If you have not yet read the other sections on Your Driving Test I strongly recommend you read them before booking your test.

    It’s advised that you speak with Jonathan before booking your test. He can give you advice on where and when to take it, availability and how best to prepare yourself.

    You’ll then be scheduled into the diary and receive priority bookings over regular lessons.

    When booking your driving test use only the link below or type into your browser https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test to take you to the correct website. That way you won’t pay extra to third party websites.

    IMPORTANT

    You MUST add Jonathans ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) number to your search. This is 765402. Your search results will show you when the tuition car/instructor is not available as a grey triangle and “Instructor Clash” warning.

    Please be aware if you have booked your test without using the ADI number in your search Jonathan may not be available to take you and you won't be able to use the tuition car. In this situation Jonathan cannot be held liable for any monies lost.

    At this time you can also state if you have a disability that needs to be catered for. If in doubt, please contact Jonathan before booking.

    You’ll need to pay the DVSA the correct fee.

    Weekday fee: £62

    Weekend fee: £75

    Extended driving tests for disqualified drivers cost £124/£150

    Once booked please notify Jonathan with the date, time and location. You may do this by phone call or text to 07919 203370 or email lessons@driving-ed.co.uk

    You may change your driving test booking free of charge with the DVSA. If you do please let us know.

    From 8 April 2025 you will be required to give 10 working days notice to change or cancel a test. Effectively thats a fortnight. Working days are Monday to Saturday and do not include the day of notification or the day of the test.

    If you are looking for an earlier test date it’s possible to subscribe to a cancellation service. If you do this you MUST ensure that the dates offered do not clash with the unavailable dates recorded on the .Gov website under instructor reference 765402.

    If Jonathan considers you are not yet ready to take your driving test a month before your test date you will not be able to use the tuition car and you will be advised to rebook to a later date.

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