The practical driving test is a test of your ability to drive a car without assistance from your instructor or accompanying driver.  It covers a range of situations and road conditions and involves demonstrating your ability to manoeuvre the car safely in both forward and reverse gears.

The test is conducted by the Driving Standards Agency at over 370 test centres throughout the country.  The Inverclyde Test Centre is in Greenock.

Despite what you may have heard, there is no 'quota' or 'percentage' set for passing the driving test.  If you drive well then you will pass.

We will let you know when you should apply for your practical test. Remember that if you are not getting things consistently right with your instructor, then you are not ready to take your test.

The fee for the test is currently £56.50 and this can be booked directly here.

EYESIGHT TEST

At the start of the test, you will be asked to read a numberplate from 67ft (20.5m) or 66ft (20m) in the case of it being a new-style plate.

SHOW ME - TELL ME

You will then be asked a couple of general vehicle maintenance check questions.  These are very straightforward and we will make certain that you know these well in time for your test.

THE DRIVE

From this point on, you will be driving the car for around 35 minutes.  The routes used are all designed to be as uniform as possible and there are no "easy" or "hard" routes.  All of them take in a range of typical road and traffic conditions.

The examiner will assess your driving and test you on most of the topics you will have covered in your lessons.  You will be asked to carry out two manoeuvres and, possibly, an emergency stop.

You are allowed to commit up to 15 driving (minor) faults but no serious or dangerous faults.  However, do bear in mind that repeated instances of the same driving fault would be classed as an habitual problem and be declared a serious fault.

RESULT

At the end of the test, the examiner will inform you of the result.  Should you be unsuccessful, you will be given a verbal explanation of where you went wrong.  This will help you, in conjunction with your instructor, to work on the aspects of your driving that let you down to give you a greater chance of passing the next time.

For more information, see the Driving Standards Agency website.