Get your driving licence by first getting practical driving lessons. Prepare the right way for your driving test. Follow our tips to get your driving licence first time.

The Provisional Driving Licence
If you need a D1 provisional driving licence, then you can obtain an application form for it from the post office,

• you will need to fill in your details, include 2 passport size photos and the licence fee,
• issue of the provisional driving licence usually takes 10 to 14 days,
• you may apply before your 17th birthday, but the licence will not be valid until you are 17.

Book Your Test
If you are ready to book your theory test and/or your practical driving test, then you can do so online at this government web site:
- direct.gov.uk/bookpracticaltest, and
- direct.gov.uk/changepracticaltest

Be Prepared
The current NATIONAL pass rate is in the region of 40%. And for first time candidates, it's even lower!

These are the top ten reasons why people fail their test:

1. OBSERVATIONS AT JUNCTIONS - observations and judgment,
2. REVERSE PARKING - ineffective observations, lack of accuracy,
3. USE OF MIRRORS - not checking or acting on information,
4. REVERSING AROUND A CORNER - ineffective observations or lack of accuracy,
5. INCORRECT USE OF SIGNALS - not canceling or giving misleading signals,
6. MOVING AWAY SAFELY - ineffective observations,
7. INCORRECT POSITIONING ON THE ROAD - at roundabouts or bends,
8. LACK OF STEERING CONTROL - steering to early or leaving too late,
9. INCORRECT POSITIONING TO TURN RIGHT- at junctions or one way streets,
10. INAPPROPRIATE SPEED - traveling too slowly or being hesitant.

Therefore, take enough driving lessons and get lots of practice if you want to pass first time.

Tips for your Practical Driving Test
We would like to share with you some tips to make your practical driving test as painless as possible.

Mock Test
Make sure you are fully prepared for your Practical Driving Test. This can be done by doing a Mock Test. The mock test takes exactly the same format as the real thing and creates the feeling of being under exam conditions as your instructor could play the role of a DSA driving examiner. This is a great way to help you with any nerves you may have and to give you time to practice any weak points in your driving.

On The Day
Make sure you get a good night's sleep before the practical driving test and have all your documents ready. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, try not to be too nervous.

Documents to Take with You
You will need to take 3 documents with you:

• your signed provisional driving licence,
• your theory test pass certificate,
• an acceptable document which contains your photograph and signature which can be any of the following:
• your provisional licence (photo type),
• a passport,
• photo-bearing version of cheque or credit card,
• work-place identity card,
• student or trades union membership card,
• card used to buy railway tickets, or
• a school bus pass.

The Car Used for the Test
The car you use for the driving test must be fitted with the appropriate mirrors, headrests, L-plates, Tax, and must have the appropriate insurance.

The vehicle also needs to be in a clean and good working condition capable of normal performance for that type of vehicle.

The Test Itself
The Practical Driving Test lasts approximately 35 minutes and is conducted from your local driving test centre by a DSA examiner. When you go to take your Practical or Theory Test, you will need to bring your driving licence or some other acceptable proof of identity that bears your name, photograph and signature.

You will be required to sign your test form, after which you will walk outside with the driving examiner and be given an eye sight test (by reading a number plate). You will then walk to the car where you will be asked two of the 'TELL ME SHOW ME' questions. If you are not using your driving instructor's car for the test, you will then need to bring a valid insurance certificate for the car you will be using.

The driving examiner will assess your ability to drive competently and safely, and will test you on most of the topics you should have covered in your driving lessons.

You will be required to drive along one of the test routes which are designed to be as uniform as possible and to include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. You will fail the test if you commit a serious or a dangerous fault during the test drive. You can also fail if you commit more than 15 driving faults altogether.

'SHOW ME TELL ME' Questions
At the start of your practical test, the examiner will ask you one of each of the following:

• an explanation of how you would carry out certain safety checks,
   
• a demonstration on how you would carry out certain safety checks. You will need to open the bonnet of the vehicle for some of these checks.

To that end, you will be asked two questions from the following (the red indicates the question you will be asked, and the green indicates the 'answer' you should provide):

Q1) Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

A. Apply the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators. (ou may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)

TIP Most cars will not need to have the ignition switched on to activate the hazard switch, so it should be simple to lean into the car, switch it on, walk around the car checking all 4 main indicators (there are also indicators on the front wings and/or the door mirrors), and then lean into the car to switch off the hazard switch.

Q2) Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)

A. Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (you may need to switch ignition on, but do not start engine)

Q3) Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

A. If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q4) Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.

A. Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

TIP Keep the button pressed in when applying the handbrake so that you do not hear the ratchet noise.

Q5) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.

A. Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.

TIP You will have to open the bonnet, but then just point to the dipstick, and describe pulling it out to check the level. Different cars have different min/max markers - they could have lines or rings. People usually wait for the engine to be stopped for a while before checking the oil level (on level ground), pull out the dipstick, wipe it on a cloth, re-insert it, and then pull it out once more to check the level.

Q6) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

A. Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

TIP- You should always wait for the engine to cool down before opening the header tank cap or the radiator cap. This is because the cooling system is pressurised, and although the normal running temperature of an engine is around 80c (very hot), it can rise to above boiling point.

Q7) (Show me) Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

A. Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

TIP If and when you do top up with brake fluid, be very careful as brake fluid can cause serious damage to paintwork on the car.

Q9) Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).

A. Check is carried out by using control usually on steering wheel. (turn on ignition if necessary).

Q10) Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.

A. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary).

Q11) Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens.

A. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction/source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

TIP Front air direction should be set to demist - usually this looks like a windscreen with 'wavey' lines on it, temperature to warm or hot - usually red, and fan speed should be set to medium or high - often cars have numbers 0-5. Rear demist will be a button usually in the centre of the dashboard. Air conditioning can be used to good effect for demisting the windscreen in the winter as the air is dryer.

Q12) Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle)

A. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

TIP Rear foglight should be used when visibility is seriously reduced. It must be switched off as soon as visibility is improved to avoid dazzling other drivers, especially at night.

Q13) Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.

A. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

TIP Main beam warning light will be a blue light usually close to the main instruments.

Q14) Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

A. Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

TIP Spongey brakes are caused by air in the hydraulic system, and the brakes should be bled immediately, and the cause of air ingress investigated. Pulling brakes may be caused by one brake being faulty (usually seized) which results in the effect of the 'good' brake pulling the car to one side.

Q15) Tell Me where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

A. Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

TIP On some cars you can see the level in the bottle, but on many the bottle is concealed, and all that you can see is the filler neck. In this case you could say that you would open the filler cap and look dow for a level or just try topping up the bottle with screenwash/water.

Q16) Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

A. Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

Q17) Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

A. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable.

Q18) Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A. No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Q19) Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)

A. Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle. (As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights)

Q20) Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

A. A warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

After The Test
Straight after the exam, the driving examiner will inform you whether you've passed or not.

If you failed, you will be told why. You will then have the option of reapplying straight away, but you will need to wait at least 10 working days before being able to retake the test.

During the 10 working days, we suggest that you book some more driving lessons to gain further driving experience focusing on any driving faults.

If, on the other hand, you pass your Practical Driving Test, then you will be given a form to fill in to obtain your Full Driving Licence . Note that if you had a photo licence issued after 1st March 2004 and the details on the licence are correct, then you can keep the pass certificate. You will then need to give you old licence to the examiner and a new full licence will be automatically sent out to you.

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