the driving test
When you have passed the Theory test you can apply for your practical driving test.
Always consult with your driving instructor about when to apply for your test, and make sure that your instructor will be available for when you would like the test.
To be test standard, you should be able to drive your car safely and smoothly with minimum instruction, with full awareness of other road users and consideration for the road, weather and traffic conditions. You should also be competent with each of the slow manoeuvres.
To book your practical test you call the Driving Standards Agency on 08700 101372 or apply online at www.dsa.gov.uk. The current fee is £62.00. You will need your driving licence and theory test pass certificate to hand, plus a method of payment.
Arriving at the test centre
The car you use for the driving test must be fitted with an additional passenger mirror, headrests, L-plates, Tax, and the appropriate Insurance. The vehicle also needs to be clean and in good working condition capable of normal performance for that type of vehicle. We guarantee that all Coopers driving school cars are fit for the driving test.
Documents to take with you:
1. Your signed provisional driving licence.
2. Your theory test pass certificate.
3. An acceptable document which includes your photograph and signature.
4. The new photo driving licence with counter part.
* Item 3 can be any of the following:
A passport, photo-bearing version of cheque or credit card, work-place identity card,
student or trades union membership card, card used to buy railway tickets, or a school bus pass.
If none of these are available, you must provide a photograph of yourself which has
been certified by an acceptable person, who can be an Approved Driving Instructor or Motorcycle Instructor, an MP, a Justice of the Peace, a minister of religion, a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a local councillor, a bank officer, a civil servant, a police
officer or a commissioned officer in Her Majesty's armed forces.
Arrive with your driving instructor at the test centre in plenty of time and try to relax. The test centre is located in warnden, worcester, but tests at other test centres can be arranged at your request.
Once the examiner has checked your identification, your driving instructor will wait in the test centre whilst you show the examiner to your instructor's car.
The examineer will conduct the show me tell me part of the test and ask you 5 simple questions about your car. If you have learned with us, you will be well prepared for this during your lessons, and should be able to answer these with ease. Make sure you are familiar with opening and closing the car bonnet.
The examiner will now get in the front passenger's seat, and explain briefly how the
test works. You'll be asked to start the car and given directions of where to drive.
You have about 40 minutes in the car; that time includes two of the three possible
slow manoeuvres: turn in the road, reversing round a corner, or reverse parking, and you may be required to do an emergency stop. The reverse bay-parking manoeuvre may take place off-road at the test centre. During the test it is also likely that you will be asked to demonstrate a hill-start and an angled start. The rest of the time is taken up with general driving.
In worcester, there are 12 routes that you may be taken on. If you do make a wrong
turning during the driving test, then it is the examiner's responsibility to get you back on to the test route. Taking a wrong turn will not usually cause you to fail your driving test.
Some minor driving faults are permitted during the test. These are errors that do not
in themselves create an actual or potential danger to other road users and you are
allowed up to 15 of these. You will fail the test should you make a serious or
dangerous error.
At the end of the test the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed. If you pass, your driving licence will be needed for the examiner to fill in the pass certificate. You need to send this to DVLA with your provisional licence, and you will receive your full licence in a few days' time. You can drive on your own in the meantime providing you keep a record of your Driver Number.
We offer pass plus courses, once you have passed your test you should consider discussing this with your driving instructor.
Good Luck!!
The Coopers Driving School Team.
