Sometimes the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has to cancel or stop driving tests because of bad weather, vehicle problems or other reasons.

Your test will usually be automatically rebooked for you at no further cost if it’s cancelled by DSA.

Bad weather: Practical driving tests are not held in dangerous weather conditions, e.g. when the roads are icy.

Call your test centre if there is snow or ice in your local area on the day of your test.

When to phone your test centre: You should call the test centre:

• as soon as you can on the day of your test if it’s booked for early in the morning
• later in the morning if your test is in the afternoon

No answer from the test centre: If nobody answers the phone, and the conditions in your area aren’t looking too bad, it’s likely that the driving examiners are:

• checking the local roads to see if driving tests can go ahead
• taking driving tests because the conditions are suitable

However, this isn’t a guarantee that your test will go ahead.

Call the test centre again or go there in time for your test.

If your test can’t go ahead: A new appointment date will usually be sent to you within 3 working days. This could take up to 7 days when the bad weather goes on for longer.

You won’t be able to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Waiting times for a practical driving test: As well as causing cancellations, bad weather can sometimes lead to longer waiting times for practical test appointments.

It’s illegal to impersonate someone (pretend to be them) and take the practical driving test for them.

Impersonators and people who use their services have been convicted in the criminal courts and given prison sentences.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) investigates every case of suspected impersonation and works closely with the police to take offenders to court.

Report an impersonatorIf someone offers to impersonate you for your driving test, report it to DSA.

DSA integrity team

[email protected]
0115 936 6051
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

When you book your practical driving test you should say if you have any special needs or disabilities.
There are a number of facilities to help. You still take the same driving test as everyone else, no matter how serious your disability is. Booking your practical driving test: When you book your test you’ll be asked if you’ll be bringing an interpreter with you.

You’ll also be asked if you have:

• any condition which affects your movement
• any missing limbs
• any special learning needs
• arthritis
• dyslexia
• epilepsy
• paraplegia
• any other special needs

You’ll also be asked if you’re:

• deaf - either profoundly or not
• heavily pregnant

Getting more time to take your test: More time might be allowed for your test if you have certain special needs. It will give the examiner time to talk to you about your disability and any adaptations fitted to your vehicle.

If English isn’t your first language: You can bring your own interpreter for your practical driving test. They must be at least 16 years old. Your approved driving instructor can be your interpreter.

You’ll need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge.

If you have hearing difficulties: The examiner will tell you what will happen by using written notes at the start of the test if you are deaf or have hearing difficulties. They will also look at you to help you lip read what they are saying if you find that helpful.

The examiner will usually give directions to you as hand signals. These will be explained and shown to you using written cards before your test starts.

Foreign drivers must prove they have passed an appropriate driving test before getting a British licence under tough new rules announced by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond.

An inconsistency in the law meant that previously some non EU drivers were able to exchange their licence without proving that the necessary standards to drive in this country had been met.

The change in law means requests to exchange driving licences from outside the EU will only be accepted if the licence holder can prove they passed a driving test in a country where the testing standards are comparable with those in Britain.

Stephen Hammond said:

“The UK’s roads are amongst the safest in the world, thanks in part to the rigorous standards demanded by our driving test. By closing this loophole we will not only make Britain’s roads even safer, but will help tackle fraud and level the playing field for British drivers who spend time and money learning to drive at the standard required in the UK.

“It is obvious to everyone that drivers who have not been through a rigorous driving test will not be as safe as those who have. This change in the law will mean we can be sure that any foreign drivers exchanging their licence here have already passed a test of a similar standard to ours.”

Licences issued by an EU state

All driving licences issued by an EU state allow that driver to drive in any part of the EU and there is no need for them to exchange their licences. This does not apply to drivers outside Europe but arrangements are in place with 15 countries that allow drivers to exchange their licences for a Great Britain one.

They do not need to take any additional driving tests as DVLA recognise that the licence they hold proves that they have already met the appropriate standards to drive in this country.

Inconsistency in the law

But because of an inconsistency in the law, some foreign drivers were able to exchange a licence with another overseas country with which DVLA have an exchange agreement, and then subsequently swap it for a Great Britain one.

This meant that DVLA could not be sure that the driver had met the appropriate standards to drive in this country before exchanging their licence.

The law will now make clear that the licence to be exchanged will only be issued on the basis that the driver has met the appropriate standards to drive in this country.

The change in law came into force on 11 January 2013

A vehicle can be recalled by the manufacturer if it has a known safety fault.

Some recalled vehicles can’t be used for the practical driving test. You need to check if your vehicle is in the tables below if you’re using for your test.

Your vehicle will need to be checked and fixed before you can use it for the driving test if it’s on the list.

You’ll need to take proof to your test that the vehicle has been fixed properly. The proof you bring has to be one of the following:

• the actual recall letter or safety notice that has been stamped by the manufacturer or dealer
• written proof from the manufacturer or a dealer (on official or headed notepaper)

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don’t bring the right proof.

Ford Fiesta 
Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Faulty seat belt mechanism1989 to 1990 models18 March 1996 Faulty brake hoses Models built between July 1995 and June 1996 with the following build codes: SS, ST, SJ, SU, SM, SP, TB, TR, TA, TG, TC or TK12 

February 2008 DSA code: COB 8/98, 10/98, 11/98, 14/98 Right-hand engine mount stud(s) may not be fully inserted. If all 3 studs broke it could result in loss of drive to the wheels1.6 litre 
DV6 engine with VIN numbers in the range: WF0CXXGAJ6A23666 to WF0UXXGAJU7Y2381318 

November 2008 DSA code:COB 37/2008 Fusion Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Right-hand engine mount stud(s) may not be fully inserted. If all 3 studs broke it could result in loss of drive to the wheels1.6 litre DV6 engine with VIN numbers in the range: WF0CXXGAJ6A23666 to WF0UXXGAJU7Y2381318 

November 2008 DSA code :COB 37/2008 Mazda 121 Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Faulty brake hoses1998 models with the following build codes: SP, TB, TR, TA, TG, TC, TK or TD13 

February 1998 DSA code: COB 9/98, 14/98 Peugeot 107 Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Accelerator pedal may fail to return to idleModels registered from February 2005 to August 200903 

February 2010 DSA code: COB 04/2010206 Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Faulty brake linkage Models (excluding Station Wagon (SW)) with build dates between September 1998 and February 2002. All cars affected are ‘S’ registration plate up to and including ‘51’11 

December 2003 DSA code: COB 30/03
Renault Clio ll (mark two) and Campus A current MOT certificate is acceptable evidence for the Renault Clio ll (mark 2) and Campus only.

These are the prices to book your test using the official service. Unofficial websites may charge more.

Practical test type: Car Weekday price £62, weekend and bank holiday prices Car £75

Practical Car and trailer: Weekdays £115. Weekend and bank holiday price £141 

You’ll have to pay the full amount again if you don’t pass your test and want to take another one.

You can use your own car for the driving test if it meets certain rules.

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if your car doesn’t meet the rules.

Your vehicle must:

• be properly insured and have a valid tax disc
• be roadworthy and have a current MOT if it needs one
• have a seatbelt for the examiner
• have an interior rear-view mirror for the examiner (these are available from most motor stores)
• have a proper passenger head restraint (not a slip-on type)
• be a smoke-free environment
• have 4 wheels
• be able to reach at least 62mph
• have a speedometer measuring speed in mph
• have no warning lights showing - for example, the airbag warning light
• have L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kilograms

MAM is the maximum weight of the vehicle including the maximum load that can be carried safely while used on the road. This is also known as ‘gross vehicle weight’.

Using a hire car: You can only use a hire car for your test if it is fitted with dual controls and it meets all the other driving test vehicle rules.

Space-saver tyres: In some cars the spare tyre is a space-saver and only supposed to be for temporary use. You can’t take your test if a space-saver tyre is in use.

Electronic parking brakes: You can use your vehicle for your test if it is fitted with an electronic parking brake.

Vehicles you can’t use
Some models of vehicle can’t be used for the test. This is because they don’t give the examiner all-round vision. They are generally convertible cars and panel vans.

You can’t use these cars for a driving test:

• BMW Mini convertible
• Ford KA convertible
• Toyota iQ
• VW Beetle convertible

Other types of convertible car or panel van may also be unsuitable. Check with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) before booking your test.

DSA practical test enquiries

Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (English), 0300 200 1133 (Welsh)
Textphone: 0300 200 1144
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

• can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
• know the Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability

As long as you show the standard required, you’ll pass your driving test. There are no pass or fail quotas.

You’ll need to have passed your driving theory test before taking your practical test.

• You are at the beginning of this guide
• Part 2Documents to bring to your test

• your theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you’re not exempt from taking the theory test
• both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart

You must take your signed driving licence and a valid passport if you have an old-style paper licence.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring the right documents.

Lost driving licenceYou’ll need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours. This could take up to 15 days. You may have to rearrange your test if this happens.

Lost theory test certificate Contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with your name and driving licence number as soon as possible. DSA doesn’t issue replacement certificates, but will send you a letter containing your certificate number.

DSA - theory test enquiries

[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (English), 0300 200 1133 (Welsh)
Textphone: 0300 200 1166
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

Eyesight check' You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

• 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
• 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
  

You can write down what you see if you can’t speak English or have difficulty reading.

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, eg AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail your driving test and the test won’t continue if you can’t pass the eyesight test.

Vehicle safety questions: ‘show me, tell me'  You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

The examiner will ask you one ‘show me’ question, where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check.

You’ll also be asked one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to explain to the examiner how you’d carry out the check.

The driving ability part The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

Your general driving abilityDuring your test the examiner will give you directions that you should follow. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions. You should drive in the way your instructor has trained you.

It should include:

• normal stops
• an angle start (pulling out from behind a parked vehicle)
• a hill start

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Reversing your vehicle safelyYou’ll have to show how well you can reverse your vehicle. The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road
• reverse parking - either into a parking bay, or parallel parking at the side of the road

Independent driving sectionYour driving test will include around 10 minutes of independent driving. It’s designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions on your own.

If you make mistakes Carry on if you make a mistake, because if it’s not a serious mistake it might not affect your result.

Your examiner will stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

Taking someone with you Your examiner will ask if you want your instructor, or another person, to:

• sit in the back of your car during your driving test
• be with you after the test for the result and feedback

This person will usually be your driving instructor, but it could also be a relative or friend.

They must be over 16 and can’t take any part in the test.

The examiner’s supervisor The examiner’s supervisor may come along as well. They will be watching the examiner’s performance, not yours. The supervisor won’t have any say in how you’re tested or in your result.

Your test might be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don’t let the examiner’s supervisor go with you.