Driving Test

Current Cost = £62  or £75 for an evening/weekend Test
Extended Test = £125 or £150 for a Saturday Test

(If you use a site other than the DSA site to book your test, you may be charged an extra £20 booking fee)

Book
HERE

In order to pass the Driving Test you must show your examiner
that you can drive safely, complete the nominated set exercises
and show through your driving that you have a thorough
knowledge of the Highway Code.
Your test will last approximately 40 minutes over a route that will
include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. This could
include town centres, urban roads, rural roads and Dual
Carriageways.
 

At the start of your test you will be asked to sign a declaration
that your test vehicle is covered by insurance. (This is not a
problem with Gateway School  of Motoring)
You will be asked if you wish your Instructor to accompany you
on the test, and/or if you would like him to be present at the debrief
at the end of the test.
Your examiner will also conduct an eyesight test, you must be able
to read a car number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, with or
without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.
If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to do this, you must
wear them whilst driving. If you fail the eyesight test your driving
test will not continue.

Since 1st September 2003 there has been an additional part added
to the driving test (Show me, Tell me) which involves you being asked
to describe and also show your examiner how you would carry out a
number of safety checks on your vehicle. You will need to answer two
questions regarding the maintenance and operation of the vehicle.
The format is simple, one question involves you having to demonstrate,
and the other requires you to explain.

 

Click on picture below for more
information on the new driving test.

 

 

Click on picture below for more
information on Independent Driving

 

 

During your test you will be asked to carry out one of the following
set exercises: - Reverse round a corner. - Turn in the road - Reverse
park-You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
.................................................................................................................

On 4th October 2010 the test changed slightly. 

During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:
  • a series of directions
  • traffic signs
  • a combination of both

To help you understand where you’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers and you are able to ask the examiner for a reminder.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.

If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

 

During your test your examiner will assess and record your driving
faults.
Committing one fault of a Serious or Dangerous nature will result in
you failing your test. Committing driving faults of a less serious nature
may not lead to failure, provided you do not commit more than 15
faults, however, if a particular fault is habitual this would be considered
to be a serious weakness in your driving and would be marked as a
serious fault thus  leading to failure.
 

At the end of your test your examiner will go through your driving test
report with you and offer some guidance and explanation of your faults.

To make sure your ready for your test contact us at Gateway School of Motoring,
we have the expertise to help you get that important Pass Certificate.