The DSA Driving Test
What happens before, during and after?
Preparation for the Test
Near the end of your driving lessons/course you will complete a mock test with myself to help you understand the procedures and pressures of the actual test. The purpose of completing the mock test is to give you a thorough understanding about what will happen on your big day. If you know what to expect you will be better prepared to deal with anything that comes your way on the test and if nothing else you may sleep better for knowing what to expect.
The result of the mock test is however irrelevant, it is purely designed to get you familiar with test conditions and not about assessing your driving standard. (By this time you will have already demonstrated you are capable of passing your driving test)
During the test the examiner will tell you in good time which way to go. If you go the wrong way do not panic - the examiner is testing your ability to drive not your ability to follow directions. It is better to go the wrong way correctly than to go the right way incorrectly.
If at time you are unsure what the examiner requires do not hesitate to check what he or she wants; the examiner appreciates that you may be nervous and will be happy to repeat any instructions or clarify any instructions given.
While you are driving, the examiner will note any driving faults on the driving test report form. The driving faults are categorised into minor, serious and dangerous and are recorded against the appropriate headings. at the end of the test the examiner will total up the number of minor faults under each heading and overall. If you commit 15 or fewer minor driving faults without any serious or dangerous faults you will have passed your test and be smiling from ear to ear. However if you commit 16 or more minor faults you will unfortunately fail the test. If you commit one or more serious or dangerous driving faults you will also fail the test.
Even a failed test can be used as a useful learning experience as it will help you to identify where you need more practice, and you will know exactly what to expect next time round.
About the DSA Driving Test
The DSA driving test for car drivers is about 40 minutes long. During this time the examiner will try to ensure that you cover a wide variety of different road conditions. From quite low speed roads to busy high speed roads and town or city-centre driving. The examiner may require you to undertake two of the following manoeuvres and optionally the emergency stop:
- Reverse parking behind a parked car or into a bay.
- Reversing round a corner
- Turn in the road
