Ron Eardley Driver Training- Test Info

Theory Test
The total cost of the Theory Test is £31.00 and it comprises two parts. The first part consists of 50 multiple choice questions taken from a bank of over 1000.

All the questions are based on the Highway Code and road safety matters. The test is taken using a “touch screen” computer. A practice session lasting up to fifteen minutes is available before the test begins. Only one question will appear on screen at a time and you can navigate backwards or forwards through the questions to review or change answers if necessary.

57 minutes are allowed to complete the multiple choice part of the test and at least 43 questions must be answered correctly to pass. To sample some DSA Theory test questions.

Once the multiple choice questions have been completed you may take a break of up to THREE minutes before the second part of the test, dealing with hazard perception, begins automatically.

The second part consists of 14 video clips, each containing one or more developing hazards, viewed from the drivers perspective. A sample clip is shown before the actual test commences. You respond by clicking a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may cause you, the driver, to change speed or direction. (Note that you do not have to move the mouse pointer to the hazard).

The sooner you respond, the more points (max 5 per hazard) you will score. There are 15 scoreable hazards in total. (one clip contains two scoreable hazards). Before each clip starts there is a 10 second pause to allow you to fully assess the new situation.

The hazard perception part of the test lasts about 20 minutes and you cannot repeat any of the video clips. For learner car drivers, a pass mark of 44 out of 75 is needed.

Practical Driving Test
This will last about 40 minutes and will cover a wide range of road and traffic situations. You will be expected to demonstrate that you know the Highway Code and can maintain a safe standard of driving throughout the test.

The standard weekday test fee is £62.00. Full time Test Centres may also conduct tests at weekends although a higher fee will be charged for this.

The test will then begin with a check of your eyesight (if you fail this, your test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee, so ensure you take your glasses with you if you need them for driving!). You will be asked to read a convenient number plate that is a distance of 20.5 metres away.

After completing the eyesight test you will be asked 2 vehicle safety questions. The examiner will then join you in the car and explain the remainder of the test to you. As well as covering forward driving the test will include 2 reversing exercises. These will be selected from the following exercises:

Reversing around a corner to the left (or very occasionally the right)
Turning the car around in the road
Reverse (parallel) parking
Reverse (bay) parking. (Note - Only where the Driving Test Centre has bays available for this purpose

You may also be asked to carry out a Controlled (ie Emergency) Stop exercise.

You can make up to 15 minor driving errors and still pass your test (16 or more would result in a fail as you would be regarded as having been very lucky not to have committed a serious or dangerous error!). However, if you commit just one serious or one dangerous error, you will fail your test. Should your examiner feel that you are a danger either to themselves, yourself or to other road users at any time, then your test will be abandoned on safety grounds and you will lose your fee.

Professional driving are a must for anyone learning to drive. However, many learners also benefit from additional private lessons. If this applies to you then you must make sure you have adequate learner driver insurance.