Driving and theory tests
The United Kingdom driving test was first introduced in 1934.
Today’s test is separated into three distinct parts: a multiple-choice theory test, a hazard perception test and the practical test. It is necessary to pass all three parts before a full driving licence is granted
The Theory Test
The driving theory test was introduced in July 1996 as a written examination and updated to a computer-based test in 2000. From November 2002 onwards, there are two parts to the theory test: the multiple-choice test and the hazard perception test. Both must be taken and passed in the same session in order to obtain a theory test certificate, which can then be used to book the practical driving test within two years of the theory pass.
Multiple-choice test
This part of the theory test is performed on a touch screen computer system. The test has 50 multiple-choice questions and the candidate must answer at least 43 of them correctly to pass. Each question may have more than one answer and this will be indicated in the question. All questions are randomly selected from a bank of thousands on a selection of topics.
The test lasts for 40 minutes (Candidates with special needs can apply for more time) and all 50 questions must be answered. The test allows practice time at the start of the exam to get used to answering the questions and how to use the system. To answer a question the candidate simply touches their choice of answer from the listed answers on the computer screen. If a mistake is made the candidate can deselect a choice and reselect a different option. The candidate is allowed to go back to a question at any time and can also flag questions they are unsure of to allow easier reference if they choose to come back to it later. To pass the test, 43 of the 50 questions (86%) must be answered correctly.
Hazard perception
The hazard perception test was introduced in November 2002.
Examinees watch fourteen one-minute clips filmed from the perspective of a car driver and have to indicate, usually by clicking a mouse button or touching the screen, when they observe a developing hazard. All of the clips will include one developing hazard, and one will include two such hazards. The sooner an examinees reacts to a developing hazard, the more points are scored, from five down to one, with no score if the examinees reacts too late. Thus the maximum possible score is 75. The pass mark is 44 for car drivers and motorcyclists, 50 for bus and lorry drivers, and 57 when qualifying as an approved driving instructor.
For the purposes of the test, a "developing hazard" is defined as something, which requires the driver to adjust speed and/or direction. Potential hazards are hazards that no immediate action needs to be taken, but are worth observing in case their status changes. Clicking on potential hazards is acceptable, but the scoring window only opens if that hazard develops, thus examinees have to remember to react if the status of a hazard changes, and not just when the potential hazard is first spotted
The implementation of the Hazard Perception Test is commonly criticised. Each hazard in a clip has a five-stage window to determine the scoring and whether a user has noticed the hazard or not. A user taking the test may click before the scoring window opens and fail the clip, rather than gaining extra points for noticing the potential hazard early. Note that this is unlikely to happen, since the scoring window usually opens as soon as the hazard begins to occur. Hence, any clicks before that point is either for a different hazard, or coincidental guesses. The problem can also be eradicated by clicking two or three times in succession for a single hazard - indeed, this is recommended by most training software.
Only the timing of the "click" is recorded, rather than a screen position. This means that, if a user is watching (for example) a lorry at the left hand side of the screen, they might click to register it as a potential hazard. The developing hazard, however, could actually be on the right hand side of the screen as a dog (for example) wandering in to the road. The user would still gain marks for this hazard, despite the fact they actually registered a click for a different hazard and missed the marked hazard altogether.
A user will also be penalised for clicking too many times during a clip. Although the user could genuinely be suggesting many hazards - such as road signs and concealed entrances - they could be marked as cheating and fail that clip. It could be argued that the user should gain extra points for noticing this, rather than lose the clips points altogether for clicking too much. However, the limit is set high enough to allow even very paranoid clicking, so this should not concern most people.
Practical test
It is necessary to have passed both components of the theory test before sitting this exam. Passing this test then entitles one to hold a full UK driving licence.
When attending for your practical test you must have the following paperwork: - both parts of your driving licence, your theory pass certificate and your appointment letter, you will then wait in the waiting room till your name is called, you will then show your paper work to your examiner who will check it and ask you to sign the driving test report, if you want your driving instructor to accompany you on test this is the time to ask (do you mind if my instructor sits in on the test) the driving examiner will not object, your instructor cannot speak to you or your examiner during the tests and he cannot argue or persuade the examiner to make a different decision at the end of the test, the examiners decision is final, if you fail you my well be upset, but stay professional and calm you have to come back.
The driving test examiner may some times be accompanied by a senior examiner this is to monitor the driving examiner not you so don’t worry! Just be aware of the extra weight in the back of the car you may feel when braking accelerating and corning) he will then lead you outside on the way he will introduce Himself or Herself and ask you if he may call you by your first name.
Eyesight Test
Once outside the examiner will ask you to point out your car and then asks you to read a registration plate of a car of his choice. The distance required is 20.5 metres for an old-style plate (A123 ABC) and 20 metres for a new style plate (AB51 ABC). If the candidate needs glasses to do this, then these must be the ones worn whilst completing the rest of the test. If the candidate fails to read the first number plate correctly, then the examiner will ask the candidate to read a second number plate. If the candidate cannot correctly read the second number plate, then the examiner must use a tape measure to measure the correct distance between the candidate and a third number plate. If the candidate cannot read the third number plate, then the candidate is deemed to have failed and the test will not continue.
Before the candidate is taken out onto the road, the examiner asks two basic questions about car maintenance and safety. These are always phrased in the form "Show me..." and "Tell me...” for example:
- Show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
- Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A failure to answer one or both of these questions correctly would result in a minor driving fault being marked against the candidate. There are 19 different questions, which can be asked, in 18 different combinations, and they are updated and changed regularly, the last recent change occurring July 2008.
Once you have done show me tell me you examiner will ask you to sit in the car, do not start it wait while He or She checks around the car making a note of the registration and ADI numbers, they will then join you and explain the procedure and ask you if there are any questions or concerns.
It is very common for people to get mixed up with left and right, if you have this problem explain to the examiner at this point and they will offer to make hand signals for you ,it is not a problem for them and they understand,if you have no questions you will be able to start the engine and start your test, you will then be asked to follow the road ahead unless you are told to turn which will be in good time, if you are not sure where to go you can ask them to repeat the direction.
On the way around the examiner will make light conversation, but will know if you do not want to talk and will stay quiet, try to relax and if you make a mistake don’t think you have failed just keep focused. Don’t try and look at the examiners paperwork, if they mark something down it may be from something earlier and this is there first opportunity,to put pen to paper.
Manoeuvres
During the test, the examiner will ask the candidate to carry out any two manoeuvres from the following list:
Turn in the road
Reverse around a corner to the left
Bay park (only in test centre car park)
Parallel Park using a parked car to reverse into the space of two car lengths.
If your examiner is obstructing your view politely ask them to move,if its raining you can open your passenger window and wipe your mirrors to aid viability.
The examiner may also, optionally, ask the candidate to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
Manoeuvres are selected at random by the examiner selecting a sheet at the test centre, which also determines the test route, and if an emergency stops is done (1 in every 3 tests the examiner takes requires him to carry out this exercise).
In this exercise the candidate must stop quickly and safely as if in an emergency, as if a small child ran out from between parked cars.
Candidates taking the test after having their licence revoked must carry out all manoeuvre
General driving
This naturally involves a certain amount of general town driving, during which faults can be gained. If the minimum amount of time has not been satisfied, the candidate may be asked to drive around to satisfy it. The candidate will also be asked to pull up on the left of the road and stop before moving off again, and include negotiating roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, hills, crossroads, duel carriageways e.t.c
On your driving test, drive at the speed that road conditions allow, don’t be over checking your mirrors and having the attitude of I will show the examiner I can drive, drive the way you instructor has shown you, do not ask the examiner for instruction, you need to show that you understand road procedure and that you can drive on your own unsupervised making sound judgment and making your own decisions.
On returning to the test centre your instructor will make themselves visible to you, the examiner will then offer you a result asking if you wish your instructor to be present, it is a good idea to let them listen as if you have failed the examiner will be able to give a clearer explanation.
The examiner marks the candidate for driving faults (commonly called minor faults or minors), serious faults, and dangerous faults (collectively referred to as major faults or majors). A candidate will fail the test if he or she accumulates any candidate acquires several (three or more) driving faults in the same category, the examiner may consider the fault a recurring and dangerous habit and mark a serious fault in that category. The test usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes in a standard test, or one hour when the candidate is taking a test after having their licence revoked.
