When to book
Your driving instructor will discuss with you when to book your practical driving test. The decision on when to book will depend on your current standard of driving and the current waiting times and availability of driving tests.

To avoid the possibility of a double bookings and the availability of the car for test, please do not book a driving test without prior agreement from your instructor.

The cost
The current cost of a driving test is £62.00, if you are using your instructors car you will also need to book a 2 hour lesson at a cost of £40.00 to cover the time required for traveling to and from the test centre and taking the driving test.

To book your driving test.
You can obtain a driving test application form (DL26) from myself, Post Offices, any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372, 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 or on the internet using the DSA Online Booking Service. You will require:

• Your driving licence number
• Theory test pass certificate number
• Date of theory test
• Method of payment
• If learning with an Approved Driving Instructor you will also be asked to provide your driving instructors reference number.

If possible try to avoid booking a test during busier road times, these are usually more available at short notice due to their unpopularity. Many early morning tests are cancelled during spells of bad weather.

Please confirm your booking as soon as possible to your instructor, and as soon as you receive your confirmation letter from the DSA please bring it with you to your next driving lesson.

Day of the Test
On the day of the driving test your instructor will arrange to collect you from a location of your choice allowing plenty of time to reach the test centre.

Please ensure you have all the relevant documents with you:

• Both parts of your driving licence, photo card and paper counterpart
• Theory test certificate
• Letter of appointment
• Photo ID (passport) if you only have an old type paper licence

York Driving Test Centre
At the York DTC you may not enter the car park more than 10 minutes before your test time. On arrival at the test centre you will reverse with your instructor into a parking bay.

In the test centre take a seat in the waiting room and wait for an examiner to come and call your name, check your documents are in order and ask you to sign a declaration that the car is road worthy and insured for test purposes.

The examiner will then take you outside where they will ask you to identify your vehicle, perform an eyesight test by asking you to read a number plate from 20.3 metres, you will then be asked to answer two show me tell me questions.

The driving test will last approximately 40 minutes and will include the new ten minute independent drive and now only one manoeuvre, you may also be asked to perform an emergency stop. The emergency stop is included in 1 in 3 tests.

Independent Driving
Independent Driving Explained
Your practical driving test will now include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you will have to drive independently by either following:

• a series of directions
• traffic signs
• a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going, the examiner may show you a diagram (see example).

It does not matter if you don't remember every direction, or if yoiu go the wrong way, that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions, this includes deciding when it is safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you are going.

The Independent Driving Route
If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.
If you go off route it will not affect the result of your test, unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.
If there are poor or obscured traffic signs the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign, you won't have to have a detailed knowledge of the area.
You can not use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn by turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

The Marking Sheet
Faults are recorded by the examiner during the test and are recorded as minor or major driving faults on the test sheet.

Minor faults are recorded as driving faults and you are allowed up to 15 driving faults. More than three faults on any subject may result in a major fault been awarded.

Major driving faults are recorded as serious or dangerous, with just one major driving fault required to fail.


Book your Practical Test Online

Practical Test Centre (York)
Murton Way,
Osbaldwick,
York.
YO19 5UN

Current waiting times for tests is approximately 7 weeks