Practical driving test guides

Clear, up-to-date guides to the UK practical driving test: what happens on the day, how the examiner marks faults, and how to practise the roads around your test centre.

• Automatic driving test: what changes, and what your licence lets you drive

  An automatic driving test is the same test as manual, but your licence covers automatics only (code 78). How EVs, hybrids and upgrading to manual work.

• How to choose a driving test centre when you can only move to nearby ones

  How to choose a driving test centre now a booked test can only move to the 3 nearest centres: compare distance, waiting times, local roads and pass rates.

• Driving test in bad weather: cancellations, rebooking and driving in the rain

  Driving test in bad weather? Tests don't run on icy or flooded roads, in thick fog or high winds. What to do on the day, how rebooking works and rain prep.

• Driving test faults: how minors, serious and dangerous faults are marked

  Up to 15 minors and no serious or dangerous fault is a pass. How examiners mark driving test faults in 2026, with examples of each level and what to fix.

• Driving test with a disability or learning difficulty: what can be adjusted

  Taking a driving test with a disability, dyslexia or a learning difficulty? The 2026 adjustments: more time, written plates, sign language and sat nav choice.

• Failed driving test: what to do next, from the debrief to the retake

  Failed your driving test? Rebook for a date at least 10 working days away and pay £62 or £75 again. Using the fault list, 2026 booking rules and appeals.

• How long is a driving test? What fills the 35 minutes, part by part

  A driving test in Great Britain is around 35 minutes of driving, never under 30, with 20 to 35 minutes independent. How the time splits, and the extended test.

• Using your own car for your driving test: rules, checks and banned models

  Using your own car for your driving test? The 2026 GOV.UK rules: extra mirror, L plates, 62 mph, test insurance, warning lights, banned models and recalls.

• Supervising a learner driver: the rules, and how to practise for the test

  Supervising a learner driver? You must be 21+ with 3 years on a full licence. The 2026 rules on payment, insurance, L plates and phones, plus practice plans.

• Undue hesitation: when driving too cautiously costs you the test

  Undue hesitation can fail a driving test. How examiners mark slow driving and waiting when it's safe to go, where learners hold back, and drills to fix it.

• What happens when you pass your driving test, and what to sort out next

  What happens when you pass your driving test: pass certificate, full licence sent automatically, driving home alone, insurance and the new driver 6-point rule.