|
The Driving Test is changing on the 24th November 2025
What is changing?
1. The number of stops at the side of the road will be reduced from 4 to 3 times
2. The frequency of emergency stop exercises will be reduced from 1 in 3 tests to just 1 in 7 tests
3. There will be added flexibility with the Independent Driving segment of the test (this can be following a satnav, traffic signs or both) - this can now run for the full duration of the
test.
Why are the changes being made?
The changes are designed to improve the overall flow of the test and better reflect real-world driving conditions. By putting them in place and allowing for more meaningful route planning, examiners
will be able to observe learner drivers in a more natural and realistic driving environment. Making the adjustments will create test routes that venture into more high-speed and high-risk areas,
giving learner drivers the opportunity to face a broader range of driving scenarios. The extension of the independent driving section will give learners more time to demonstrate their ability to
follow directions independently, just like they would after passing the test.
What is not changing?
1. The pass mark will not change - you will pass the test if you make no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults
2. The reversing manoeuvres will not change - you are asked to do one of the following: A parallel park at the side of the road or
drive or reverse into a parking bay and reverse or drive out or pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for two car lengths and rejoin the traffic.
3. The examiner still assesses the test in the same way as before, the same things still count as faults - so it still does not matter if you go the wrong way as long as you don't make a fault
when doing so.
4. Following directions from a Sat Nav - 4 out of 5 test candidates are asked to follow directions in the Independent Drive from a Sat
Nav.
5. The Show Me question is still asked while the candidiate is driving, the Tell Me question is still asked at the start of the test
before the candidate starts driving.
6. The overall time of the driving test stays the same - approximately 40 minutes.
7. The cost is still the same - £62 for weekdays and £75 for evenings and Saturday tests (only when provided by the DVSA)
All Learn in a MINI pupils will be fully trained in all aspects of the latest test and of course much more as well!
How will you know when you are ready?
When you have passed your theory test - you will have two years in which to pass your practical driving test.
You will be ready when you can show that you have reached Level 5 (independent and able to reflect on your driving performance) in all of the key skills on your Driver's Record. If there is a
long waiting time for tests at a particular test centre then an estimate of the progress you will make over the length of time of the wait will be taken into account to give you the best estimate of
when you will be ready.
The national pass rate for the practical car test last year was 48.2% - the reason for such a low success rate is because candidates are not properly prepared. The pass rate for Crewe test centre for
the same time period was 44.4% - the 46th lowest in the entire country!
You must be able to drive consistently well with confidence and without help or guidance from your instructor. If you can't - then you are not ready.
DVSA research has shown that those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training, combined with 22 hours of private practice. We are, of course, all
different so the actual amount will depend on you.
Who books the test?
When you are reaching Level 5 on all of the key skills we will discuss suitable timescales for booking your practical test. I book all tests for pupils using a direct link to the DVSA national
booking service, this allows us to change your test more easily if required, beat the queues on the public system and often pick up cancellations without having to pay for a third party service via a
website or an app.
I cover the Crewe Driving Test Centre. The current price for the practical test is £62.00 for weekdays and £75.00 for weekday evenings and weekends.
For the public test booking service, follow this link: www.direct.gov.uk/bookpracticaltest
What happens on the day of the test?
Most pupils have a one hour lesson before the test - which is approx. 40 minutes long, meaning that a 2 hour booking is usually enough to get you to the test centre, have the test and back home
again within the time. If you live a long distance from the test centre this may need to be extended. If you wish to only take the test with no warm up lesson on the day, this is also
possible.
What is an Observer on Test?
The Examiner will ask when meeting you in the waiting room if you would like your instructor to accompany you on the test. This can be useful to ensure that the feedback from the examiner at the end
of the test is heard - if you have passed - you tend not to listen and if you haven't passed - you also tend not to listen! I sit in on most of the tests with my pupils at the moment and will
continue to do so, but it is your choice if I go with you or not.
|
Print 