Passing the practical driving test is one of the biggest achievements in most people lives, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. At Accord Driving School we will do our best to prepare you; we will conduct the basic taught lessons in and around your local area. Once you’ve covered the syllabus then lessons would be mainly practice coached lessons in and around Camborne and Redruth area. Enabling you to hone your skills and gain valuable experience in and around the test areas.
To give yourself the best chance of a 1st time pass, not only should your driving be at a required standard to be able to drive safely unsupervised once you’ve passed. You should also be mentally prepared (Mock tests will help).
Things to avoid
Late Cancellations
– plan ahead so that you get a test date and time that is suitable (we do get a lot of calls from others saying that they’ve got a test in 2 or 3 days and their Instructor has let them down).
Test times – Plan what time of day suits you, personally i think the 8.30 test is a really good time because you get up, shower and out the door at 7.15 and get on with it, rather than a 2.57 test where you’re sat around all day fretting about it: however if you’re not a morning person then the 8.30 test is not for you!
Outside Pressures – there are a lot of outside pressures that can affect you on test day, such as – leaving your test till just before your theory runs out, booking a test just after either you or your instructor has been on holiday (most will want a few extra top up lessons the week prior )
The better you’re prepared and the calmer you are, the better your chance of success!!!
While you are driving the examiner will note any driving faults on the driving test report form (DL25). The driving faults are categorised into minor, serious and dangerous and are recorded against the appropriate headings shown below. Each fault is denoted by a slash ‘/’in the appropriate box. At the end of the test the examiner will total up the number of minor driving faults under each heading and overall. If you commit 16 or more minor driving faults you will unfortunately fail the driving test. If you commit one or more serious or dangerous driving faults you will also fail the test. Even if you feel you have failed the test you should continue to try, as the test will help you to identify where you need more practice.
Booking a Driving Test
You can book a practical test online or obtain a driving test application form from any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0300 200 1122, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a driving test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form. You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence, your theory test pass certificate number and your driving school code (260212) if you are being trained by me. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card as confirmation within a few days.
Cancelling a test
You are required to give a minimum of 3 clear working days notice of your decision to cancel or postpone your test; otherwise you will lose your test fee. If you are unwell on the day of the test and can get a doctor to verify this, the DSA will refund the test fee.
At the test centre
You must take the following items with you to the test centre.
- Your theory test pass certificate;
- Your photocard driving licence.
If you have the old paper licence you'll also need photographic identification. Acceptable forms of photographic identification include:
- Your passport, which doesn’t have to be a British passport.
- An employer’s identity or workplace pass bearing your photograph and name or signature or both.
- Trade union card bearing your photograph and signature.
- School Bus Pass bearing the name of the issuing authority and your photograph and signature.
- A signed photograph, together with a suitable statement (as shown opposite) from a recognised figure of authority. Acceptable figures who can certify you as being the named person include: Approved Driving Instructor, Member of Parliament, medical practitioner, teacher (qualified), Justice of the Peace, police officer, civil servant (established), bank official, minister of religion, barrister or solicitor.
It is extremely important that you arrive in good time at the test centre so that the above documents can be checked. If you arrive after the start time you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will lose your test fee.
Your test vehicle
The vehicle you intend to drive must be legally roadworthy, has a current MOT certificate if over the prescribed age and be fully covered by insurance for its present use and for you to drive. The driver will be asked to sign a declaration that the cars insurance is in order. The test will not be conducted if you are unwilling to do this. Hire cars are unlikely to be insured for this purpose.
Your test vehicle should also display L-plates or alternatively D-plates in Wales to the front and the rear. Your vehicle must also have a properly fitted head restraint and a fully functioning seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat, and an additional interior rear-view mirror for suitable use by the examiner. If you overlook any of the above your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee.
