Once you have passed your theory test, you are then able to apply for your practical driving test. I know the current waiting times and will advise when to apply. You can book online by clicking here or by phone on 0300 200 1122. You will need your driving licence number, theory certificate number, and a payment card. You MUST also quote my ADI number (my personal reference number) – without this you may be given a test date when I am unavailable. My number is 175119. The current fee is £62.00. You can find information on what is expected of you on the test, and the content of the test below.
PLEASE READ THIS – ON YOUR PRACTICAL TEST DAY:
You must bring your photocard licence – you don’t need to bring your theory certificate.
Make sure you have your glasses or contact lenses if you need them for the eyesight check. My fee is 3.5 times the current lesson cost (includes a lesson of 1 hour 15 mins, the hire of my car for the test, and returning home afterwards).
Once your documents are checked, the examiner will ask you if you wish your driving instructor to sit in the back of the car during the test, and whether you want him to listen in to the debrief at the end – please let your me know your decision. After the eyesight check, the examiner will ask two show me or tell me questions – please see the menu on this page to view or print them. Very occasionally, a senior examiner will sit in the back to check your examiner is conducting the test correctly. You can view the DVSA’s videos offering information on tests on YouTube by clicking here.
IF USING YOUR OWN CAR FOR the PRACTICAL TEST:
You don’t need any other documents (MoT, insurance etc) however YOU MUST PROVIDE A MIRROR FOR THE EXAMINERS USE (if I am coming with you I will bring mine) and L plates front and back. Also make sure all the lights are working, especially the brake lights as the examiner may check them, and make sure the tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread and no damage to the wall of the tyres, and have the correct pressure. Check the DVSA’s website to make sure your car has not been subject to any safetly recalls, if so they will require written proof that any remedial action has been undertaken – click here to vist their list of cars affected.
The test is approximately 38 minutes long. When you pass the examiner may ask if you want him to apply for your full licence for you – you do as this means there is no fee or form to fill in – he will keep your old licence but you can still drive straight away as he will give you a pass certificate.
Once the test is passed, you can then take the Pass Plus course, anytime within the first year.
This includes dual carriageways, motorways, and country roads, and then as well as invaluable experience, may give you a discount on your car insurance.
The course duration is 6 hours, and there is no test at the end – see our prices section in the menu for the current charge. For more information visit the official Pass Plus website here.
I have some YouTube video’s on my channel for parts of the Bromley routes here. https://www.youtube.com/user/McGrathPete
Tips for accompanying drivers
There are a number of things you can look out for when you are out practising with your learner:
Use of mirrors. Use the mirrors BEFORE:
Handbrake.
There is personal preference with the handbrake – some people prefer it more than others, you just just keep control of the car and not roll back on hills (some cars have a hill hold feature which is fine on test).
Gears.
The gears are normally selected in sequence when changing up (ie 1,2,3,4) but when changing down, you can skip straight to the gear you require (ie 4th to 2nd). It is no longer required to change down through all the gears in sequence – this means taking hands off the steering, and modern brakes no longer need the assistance of the gears to slow the car.
Observation.
This is one of the most common reasons for not passing, whether not looking in the mirrors at the correct time, moving off, at a junction or when reversing.
Passing your test is not just about learning test routes, however each Test Centre area may have some unusual layouts that require practice.
There are a number of one way streets – at the end of which if you are turning right you MUST go to the right side of the road when approaching the give way.
At the STOP sign at the end of Church Lane, Chislehurst, you MUST come to a complete stop at the junction – you cannot roll through it as if it were a give way – come to a complete halt at the line. Turn left here to the traffic lights at Chislehurst war memorial, and go right towards Sidcup. At Frognall Corner roundabout, go ahead in the left lane towards Sidcup, 2nd exit. Make sure you keep left on the roundabout.
On Maidstone Road going towards Swanley you may be asked to turn onto the A20 back towards Crittall’s Corner. You will see the National Speed limit sign on the slip road. As it is a dual carriageway, the speed limit for cars is 70mph. Leave at either the first exit towards Bexley, or the second exit towards Sidcup.
Go from the driving test centre towards Ruxley roundabout and follow signs for the A20 towards Central London. This will take you by Tesco, and to Crittals Corner. It can be hard emerging from the test centre road onto Ruxley Roundabout when busy, and on Crittals, make sure you position on the A20 markings on the floor on the roundabout
Practice going in all directions from St James Way to the North Cray Road, they can get you to turn all directions via the dual carriageway.
Be aware of the 20mph speed limit in Bexley village.
You will need to practice Crittalls Corner, Frognall Corner and Ruxley roundabout many times to become comfortable with them.
Be very careful approaching the zebra crossings in Sidcup High Street. The pavement is very narrow and it is not always obvious when someone wants to cross – be ready to step if anyone is near the crossings.
The speed limit within the industrial estate housing the test centre is only 15 mph.
You can visit my YouTube channel with some videos of West Wickham test routes here. Particularly practice the route “Up Gravel Hill”.
Passing your test is not about learning test routes, however each test centre area may have some unusual layouts which require practice.
There is a bus lane on Bromley Common heading towards Bromley – it has recently changed to 24hr operation – you MUST NOT drive in the bus lane.
Practice the ‘up Gravel Hill’ route from my YouTube video – this is probably the most difficult part of a route on the test.
Go along Gates Green Road coming from Coney Hall, this becomes a narrow country lane towards Keston. Turn left up Fox Lane, at the top turn left at the first mini roundabout and right at the second mini roundabout, the two roundabouts are close together.
There are two one way streets, at the end of which, if you are turning right you MUST go to the right hand side of the road at the give way. One of them is at the end of Upper Elmers End Road, at the junction of South Eden Park Road, opposite Langley Boys School.
You could be taken along Westmorland Road, from the Beckenham end towards Bromley South, past the Vue cinema. At the lights on the hill, turn right. Both lanes go right, but use the right one and keep right. Once past Waitrose, turn right at the next set of lights, past the Ford garage. Again here, both lanes turn right, but this time use the left one, so other cars can overtake, and it’s easier to merge. Make sure you don’t get stuck in the large box junction. Proceed along Masons Hill by Halfords, and then turn right at the Dripping Tap lights down Hayes Lane, by a Ravensbourne School and through the width barriers.
Practice turning right at the traffic lights, coming from Wickham Court Road, into Glebe Way – the examiner could ask you to do this at the start of the test, and it can be awkward. There are no arrows on the floor, so you have to figure out whether to position in front, or behind any cars approaching from opposite who also want to turn right. Also, once in the middle while waiting for a gap, you can’t see any traffic lights, so you don’t know when the lights change back to red.
Practice driving forward into a parking bay, and reversing out. A good car park is Norman Park. The examiner could also use the car park behind Carpetright in West Wickham High Street, and also Harvington Park, on the bend on South Eden Park Road.
You will be asked 2 of the following – some you may be asked to TELL how you would do something, others you may be asked to SHOW whilst driving how you would actually do it. Getting both answers wrong would only incur 1 minor fault. The bonnet release is in the passenger footwell. DO NOT START THE ENGINE UNLESS ASKED TO BY THE EXAMINER!
One of the following TELL questions will be asked at the start of the test:
Q. Open bonnet, TELL how you would check the oil level.
A. Point to dipstick, explain you would make sure the road is level, then remove dipstick, wipe clean, re-insert, remove again and ensure the oil level is between the MAX and MIN marks. If necessary you would top up where the oil cap is.
Q. Open bonnet, identify engine coolant. TELL how you would check the level.
A. Point to coolant tank, explain you would make sure the road is level, then observe the fluid level and check it is between the MAX and MIN marks. If necessary you would top up with water when the engine is cold.
Q. Open bonnet, identify brake fluid reservoir. TELL how you woud check the level.
A. Point to brake fluid reservoir, explain you would make sure the road is level, and the fluid level is between the MAX and MIN marks. If necessary you would top up with brake fluid.
Q. TELL how you would check all the indicators are working.
A. Explain you would switch on hazzard warning lights. Then walk round the car to observe all 6 indicators are flashing.
Q. TELL how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working.
A. Explain you would switch on the ignition if necessary, then turn the light switch to dipped headlights. You would then walk to the back and front of the car to make sure the lights are lit.
Q. TELL how you would check the brake lights are working.
A. Explain you would switch the ignition on, then press the brake pedal to operate the brake lights, you would look for reflections behind the car or ask someone to look for you.
Q. TELL how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A. Explain you would drive forward, apply the brake pedal and make sure it’s not spongy or slack, and the car doesn’t pull to one side.
Q. TELL where you would find recommended tyre pressures for the car, and how you would check them.
A. Explain you would look in the cars handbook, and then attach a pressure gauge to the valve on the tyre. You would adjust if necessary, refit the valve cap, you would also check the spare tyre, and you would do this WHEN THE TYRES ARE COLD.
Q. TELL how you would check the tyres have sufficient tread depth, and their general condition is safe for use on the road.
A. Explain you would use a tread depth gauge to ensure they have AT LEAST 1.6mm of tread, and that there are no cuts or bulges in the wall of the tyre.
Q. TELL how you would switch on the rear fog light and explain when you would use it.
A. Explain you would have your dipped headlights on, you would then switch on the rear fog light and an orange warning light would come on the dashboard. You would use the fog light if visibility was less than 100 metres and you would switch it off when visibility improves.
Q. TELL how you would check the power steering is working.
A. Explain if the power steering was faulty, the steering would feel heavy. To check, you would start the engine, and then dry steer a little to make sure the steering feels light.
Q. TELL how you would know if there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
A. Explain the ABS warning light would illuminate if there was a fault.
Q. TELL how you would check your head restraint is correctly adjusted.
A. Explain you would make sure the top of the head restraint is at least as high as your ears, and as close to the back of your head as possible.
Q. TELL how you would switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know main beam is on.
A. Explain you would turn the light switch to dipped beam, and then push the indicator stalk forward for main beam. The blue main beam warning light would then come on. You then push the stalk again to switch back to dipped lights.
One of the following SHOW me questions will asked while driving during the test:
Q. When it’s safe to do so, could you SHOW how you would clean the front windscreen.
A. You would pull the wiper stalk towards you to operate the front window washer.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, could you SHOW how you would clean the rear window.
A. Push the wiper stalk forward to operate the rear window washer.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, can you SHOW how you would set the demister controls for the front window.
A. Push the front demister button, and then push again to turn it off.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, could you SHOW how you would set the demister controls for the back window.
A. Push the rear demister button and then push again to turn off.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, could you SHOW how you would switch your dipped headlights on.
A. Turn headlight switch once to the left to dipped, the green warning light will come on the dashboard.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, can you SHOW how you would operate the horn.
A. Make sure there’s no one around and then push the centre of the steering wheel.
Q. When it’s safe to do so, can you SHOW how you would open and close the side window.
A. Push the front drivers window switch down, and then lift to raise the window back up.