The pratcial test is all about ensuring you are a safe and competent in the basic driving skills. Consisting of a drive on your own with the examiner (no instructor permitted), a basic sight test and a couple of "show me tell me" questions, the test is your final stage in gaining your license and should not be considered as the end of your learning but the beginning.

The driving test can be quite a foreboding experience but as with any test, preparation is the key. Fail to prepare and prepare to fail is the old adage, and it is often true in the case of a driving test.
Many people take their first test far too early in their driving experience and find out the hard way that they are simply not a competent or safe enough driver to be on the road. In many cases just a few more lessons would have enabled their instructor to pick up on any bad habits or correct dangerous behaviours, enabling them to pass the test with a greater level of ease.
With Debut driving school tuition we will tell you when we think you are ready to book the test, giving you a greater level of confidence to pass on the day. Check the sections below for more information on how to prepare for the test itself.

Booking the test is fairly straightforward and easily achieved online, by post, phone or fax. You may have to wait some time for your test - often over 5 weeks, depending upon the demand at the time. There are however cancellations on occassion so keep an eye out for something to suit you. Don't forget that you need a car to take the test, so if you need the instructor's car then book it too!
There is a testing centre in Maidstone, just off Loose Road, which may well be where you wish to take the test. You should tell your instructor where you are likely to be taking the test as it will affect where they complete the more advanced stages of your tuition.
Test fees are currently £56.50 on a weekday or £67.00 on a weekday evening or weekend. Link to driving test online booking

Firstly when you arrive, after a (hopefully) short wait, your examiner will greet you and need to see all your relevant documentation. Once checked you need to sign a declaration that the car is insured for a driving test and that your address details are correct. The test will stop here if you fail to do either of these.
You will then be asked to go to your car, take your documents and follow the instructions from the examiner. He may or may not want you to get into the car at this point. Don't worry - there's no points deducted for getting this wrong!
You will now be asked to read a numberplate from around 20.5 meters - you will know if you can do this or not as your instrctor will have asked you to do this before. If you fail this test, you will not be permitted to continue.
The test now moves to the show me tell me section. The examiner will ask two questions about where and how to check the tyres, brakes, fluid levels, lights, direction indicators, power steering and horn. One question will be a show me ...... and one will be a tell me ...... If you get either or both answers wrong then a minor fault will be recorded against you.
The test now moves on to the driving section. You will be asked to get in the car (if you are not already) and make yourself comfortable. You should not start the engine unless instructed. Following a set of instructions from the examiner, detailing how he wants you to drive, the driving section will commence when you start the engine.
You will be instructed as follows: "Throughout the test I'd like you to follow the road ahead at all times, unless road markings or road signs tell you otherwise. If I do want you turn, I will tell you in good time.". If at any point you do not understand or simply don't hear an instruction properly then ask.
The test will take around 30-40mins encompassing various road situations which may or may not include driving at speed. Two reversing manoeuvers are to be expected and possibly the Emergancy Stop. Good tution will have prepared you for all of this and when you come to actually take the test, the driving should be second nature.

To pass the test successfuly you will need to have driven without a serious or dangerous fault at any time. You must also drive without gaining more than 15 minor faults.
Many people fail the driving test on their first time, a significant number on their second, third and even fourth times on occasion, so don't be disheartened if you do fail.
If you passed or failed, the examiner will run through exactly what you did well on and where you need to improve. A sheet will be given to you explaining your result and showing the information explained to you. Whether you pass or fail, you are likely to be on a somewhat emotional rollercoaster so it is not recommended that you drive home or to your next destination. With Debut, your instructor will take you to your next location and explain the next steps in your learning career. Even if you have just passed, this is not an indication of how brilliant a driver you actually are, just a first step in the learning ladder of driving in the real world. See the "After you passed" section for more information.

The Internet holds a wealth of information on the driving test, along with many books and software resources all aimed at helping you pass. We have selected some of the best of the bunch below. to help you through this stage of your driving career.

When you book lessons with us, you will have access to books, CDs and DVDs at less then the RRP or available for loan.