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Are There Different Stages of a Driving Test?

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Your Complete Guide

The UK driving test is designed to assess your ability to drive safely and confidently on the road, so understanding the different stages of the driving test is crucial for anyone looking to embark on their journey towards becoming a licenced driver. So let’s explore the various stages of the practical driving test and discuss how working with a trusted provider of driving lessons in Sudbury can help you to prepare effectively.

Practical Driving Test

Once you have successfully passed your theory test, you can move on to the practical driving test. This will assess your actual driving skills and your ability to apply the knowledge you gained during your theory test to a variety of real-life situations. The practical driving test is made up of several stages, which are as follows:

  • Eyesight Check: The examiner will take you outside and ask you to read a number plate from 20 metres away (or 20.5 metres if it’s an old-style number plate). You must be able to do this for the test to proceed.
  • Show Me, Tell Me Questions: The examiner will ask you a ‘tell me’ safety check question before you set off. The ‘show me’ question will be asked once you are actually driving, and this could be at any point in the test.
  • General Driving Ability: The examiner will direct you out of the test centre and take you on a test route. This will contain a variety of road types and traffic conditions and will last around 40 minutes.  The examiner might ask you to demonstrate an emergency stop during this part of the test. 1 in 3 candidates are asked, so you must know how to perform one. Don’t worry – you will be given some warning prior to the examiner asking you to do so.
  • Reversing Manoeuvres: Everyone’s favourite part of the test! You will be asked to carry out one of the following: parallel parking, forward or reverse bay parking, or pulling up on the right. You will only have to carry out one of these.
  • Independent Driving: This stage will last around 20 minutes. You will be asked to drive whilst following directions from a sat nav, or 1 in 5 learners will be asked to follow the traffic signs for a certain location instead. Both of these will follow a route pre-determined by your examiner.

Why Choose Us?

Here at Nayland Driving School, we have guided so many learner drivers to success. Our instructors know what is asked of learners during their tests and will cover all stages at length with you. They can even take you out on a mock driving test so that you know how the real thing will be carried out. We have a great first-time pass rate, so you couldn’t be in safer hands.

Want to find out more? Get in touch to book your first driving lesson today!

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Testimonials

I was taught by Geoff for about 2 months and I went to my test and passed the first time with this company and I would highly recommend Geoff and the company ad he teaches really well, he ensures that you end up being a driver and not a learner and i felt that is a really respectable quality when it comes to a teacher. I could not say any bad experience and was extremely happy

Alen Thomas

For any one wanting to learn to drive but not sure who to go with I definitely recommend Nayland, with his great help I passed first time and in just over three months, the lessons were great I always looked forward to them as Michael is a lovely guy and very down to earth, and up for a laugh 🙂 but he is also very patient for any one who is nervous about driving. 🙂

Harriet Osborn Davies

Thanks a lot to Dave, very calm and professional instructor. Passed after 20h, would definitely recommend.

Mikolaj Witkowski

I passed my test first time, I didn’t need to use any other instructor as Michael gave me all the advice I needed, down to earth, practical and easy to understand. While learning to drive can be stressful, Micheal made it so easy for me. I enjoyed learning and looked forward to the lessons as they were really enjoyable, if you want to learn to drive with someone that will make it enjoyable and practical Micheal is the guy! guy.

Peter Callaghan

Before having Michael as a driving instructor I was with someone else! I was given his number through a recommendation, and his lessons gave me the confidence to pass my test! Michael has great prices and deals, to suit anyone! I have now been driving a year, and I have recommended many people to go with him and they have gone on to pass very fast! 🙂

Amy Cowlin

Massive thanks to Suzanne! Amazing instructor! Helped to boost my confidence and pass my test quickly! Highly recommend!

Tom Clarke