Practical Driving Section

Once you have completed the eye test and vehicle safety questions, the examiner will walk around your car, taking details of the make and model and checking that the vehicle is roadworthy. Before the test, make sure that your car has no broken lights, the windscreen is clean, the windscreen wipers are in place, the tyres comply with the legal requirements and the 'L' plates are properly displayed. If the examiner is happy with the car, they will begin the test.

Once in the car, the examiner will tell you that they want you to follow the road ahead unless traffic signs direct otherwise, or unless they asks you to turn. You will be expected to know and act on all traffic signs and signals, including any signals given by other drivers. Failure to do so will result in fault being recorded in the section known as 'Take prompt and appropriate action on all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights, signals given by traffic controllers, other road users'.

At this point, they will ask you to drive away when you are ready. Before doing so, make sure that you take proper precautions before starting the engine; that is, making sure that the handbrake is on and the gear lever is in neutral. You will need to demonstrate your ability to move off smoothly and safely on the level, on a gradient and at an angle taking the correct precautionary observations.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it may not even count as a minor driving fault and so may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 minor driving faults, but if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail immediately and the test will be stopped.

General Driving Categories

During the test, the examiner will be building up a picture of your ability and common sense as a driver and marking your performance on their sheet. They will be looking for how you perform in a number of categories, including:

• Make proper use of accelerator, clutch, gears, foot brake, handbrake, steering.
  They will check for reasonably smooth use of the controls.
• Make progress by driving at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions, avoiding undue hesitancy.
  Your ability to suit your speed to the road and traffic conditions
• Exercise proper care in the use of speed.
  Your ability to choose the right speed for general driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction and roundabouts.
• Make effective use of the mirrors well before signalling, changing direction, slowing down or stopping.
  Correct use of mirrors and signals.
• Give signals where necessary, correctly, in good time.
  The examiner will be checking that signals are given in good time and that the correct signals are given.
• Show awareness and anticipation of the actions of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers.
  In this section, the...

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