Frequently Asked Questions- Do I meet the requirements to apply for my provisional license?
- What is the theory test and what should I expect?
- What will I have to do during my practical test?
Q: Do I meet the requirements to apply for my provisional license?
A: You can apply for your
first British provisional driving license online if you:
- are a resident of Great Britain
- can meet the minimum age requirement
- can meet the minimum eyesight requirement
- are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
- can pay the current license application fee
- have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
- can provide addresses of where you have lived over the
last three years
Q: What is the theory test and what should I expect?
A: The test is made up of
two parts - a multiple-choice question section and a hazard
perception section. You'll need to pass both bits before you
can book a driving test.
Multiple choice questions – In the booth,
you'll find instructions on how to use the computer. You can
even do a 15-minute practice test to get used to it. For the
actual test, you'll have a maximum of 57 minutes unless you
have a special requirement.
To pass, you'll need to get 43 out of 50 answers correct.
All the questions are multiple choice and you touch the screen
to choose the answers you want.
Hazard perception test - The hazard
perception section of the test will begin automatically after
the multiple choice. A tutorial video will show what you need
to do.
The test itself is made up of 14, minute-long, video clips
featuring various hazards. You respond by clicking the mouse
to avoid the hazards – the faster you respond, the higher your
score. You'll see 15 in total, each with a maximum of five
marks. For car drivers you'll need to get 44 questions right
out of a possible 75.
Q: What will I have to do during my practical test?
A: The Practical Test will last for around 40/45
minutes and the examiner will be looking to see that you're a
competent and safe driver – responding to situations sensibly
and making sound judgments.
From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will
include a section of ‘independent driving’. This means that during your
test you’ll have to drive by either following traffic signs, a
series of directions, or a combination of both, for about ten
minutes.
Apart from general driving, such as which direction to go,
where and when to turn and stop; your examiner will ask you to
carry out one of the following exercises:
reversing around a corner, turning in the road, reverse
parking, or bay parking. You could also be asked to do an
emergency stop.
