What is the driving test report?

What is the driving test report?

It would be nice to think that everybody performed perfectly in their driving test and there was no need for any driving test report. Alternatively, perhaps the Driving Instructor could be expected to remember all forty minutes of your driving, and how you did on every single aspect of the test, without muddling you up with his/her other six candidates for the day.

Sound a little far-fetched?

That’s why they have the driving test report.

Throughout the test the examiner will be making marks on the report, which is standard form DL25 and is usually on a clip-board in front of them, and at the end of the test they give part of the report to you and talk you through any errors that you’ve made and why they passed or failed you.

What goes on the report?

The report has four pages. DL25A is the top copy, on which the examiner writes, this is carbon copied on DL25B, which has a back page for the examiner’s notes. These pages are retained by the test centre. Another carbon copy is DL25C which is given to you at the end of your test, and on the reverse of this are explanatory notes and details of the appeals procedure. The fourth page is DL25D which explains each section of the report and what the examiner was looking for, and is also given to you at the end of the test.

At the top of the report the examiner records the date, your name and licence number, their own name and reference number, the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) number of your instructor, and some details about the car. The main part of the report is made up of boxes. Each item that you are being tested on has a box, for example “use of speed”, “following distance”, and some are further broken down within the box, so the “signals” box has “necessary”, “correctly” and “timed” sections. In each box there are spaces for the instructor to mark faults or errors. These are minor, S (serious) and D (dangerous) faults. Whether a fault is minor, serious or dangerous has a lot to do with road conditions and other road users. For example, if you fail to indicate at a junction once, that might be recorded as a minor fault. If your failing to indicate meant that another road user was put in danger, then that would probably constitute a serious fault. If the examiner or another road user was forced to take evasive action to avoid danger, for example the examiner needed to use the dual controls to stop the car at a zebra crossing to prevent you running over a pedestrian, then that would be a dangerous fault. At the end of the test, if you have any serious or dangerous faults, then you will have failed. If you have sixteen or more minor faults, then you will also have failed. If you have fifteen or fewer minor faults then you will probably have passed the test.

If would like to find out about learning to drive in Glasgow, give TX-Driver Training a call now on 0141 764 1213.

How to prepare for your practical driving test

How to prepare for your practical driving test

Once you’ve passed your Theory Test and you and your Driving Instructor have agreed together that you are ready to take your practical driving test, it’s time to get ready. Making sure that you’ve done the best preparation that you possibly can will give you the very best chance of passing your test. 

Here’s how to get, ready, get set and go and pass that test:

I know that you’ve taken your theory test, but now is the time to have another read through the Highway Code to make sure that you remember all that information about stopping distances and what to do in any given situation. This is the theory that underpins all the practical driving, and it’s a vital bank of information on safe driving.

Make sure that you’ve had a chance to familiarise yourself with the car you’ll be driving, have practiced manoeuvres in it, and know where your blind spots are. Make sure that you know how to open the bonnet, check the oil and tyres, know which fuel to put in and how to open the fuel cap, and know what all the indicator and warning lights mean. This will help you in the “show me, tell me” questions, but will also help you to stay calm and know what to do if warning lights illuminate during your test.

Go through the Driver’s Record with your instructor to make sure that you have covered the whole syllabus and have driven on a wide variety of roads and conditions. If there are any gaps then now is the time to make sure that you address them in your lessons.

Familiarise yourself with the location of the test centre and the different roads in the area. You need to find the test centre on the day without getting lost, but you’ll also then be aware of the main roundabouts, junctions, zebra crossings and one-way streets that you might meet in your test.

A couple of weeks before your test make sure that you know where your provisional licence and theory test certificate are. If you can’t find them, you should still have time to get a replacement before your test.

If you have the opportunity to practice driving with a friend or family member, do so during the week before your test. If not, then try to get an extra driving lesson in that last week to help you get into the zone.

The night before your test pick out some comfortable clothes, and get your provisional licence and theory test certificate out ready. Get plenty of sleep.

On the morning of your test make sure that you eat so you don’t feel light-headed or have a rumbling stomach, but nothing too heavy, smelly or spicy, you don’t want garlic breath or chilli repeating on you during your test. Have plenty to drink (not alcohol, obviously!) but don’t overdo it. Use the loo while you are waiting for your examiner.

Good luck!

If you would like to learn to drive in Glasgow, contact TX-Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.

What happens on the eyesight part of the driving test?

Being able to see clearly is vital for safe driving. Without good vision you will not be able to read the road ahead, or road signs, and therefore won’t be able to make judgements about where on the road you need to be, or safely respond to developing hazards. An eyesight test has therefore been an essential part of the driving test since 1937, just two years after the first driving test was introduced.

The rules

You must be able to read, from at least 20 metres, a car number plate (post 2001). You should also have a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale using both eyes (or just one eye if you only have sight in one) and an adequate field of vision. If you are unsure about any of this, or have any concerns at all about your eyesight, it would be a good idea to get an eye test with an optician before you start driving. They will be able to tell you whether your eyesight is good enough to drive, and will prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help you if necessary. If you need to wear contact lenses or glasses to read a number plate from twenty metres, then you should wear them during your test and whenever you drive.

How this part of the test works

At the beginning of your test, before you have even got to your car, the driving examiner will stop you and ask you to read a number plate on a parked vehicle which is at least 20 metres away. You may write down the number plate if you have difficulty with spoken English. If you can’t read the first number plate, the examiner will ask you to read another one, slightly closer but still over the required distance. If you cannot read this one, then they will measure the exact required distance to a third number plate and ask you to read that one. If you are still unable to correctly read the number plate, then the test will terminate. You will fail your test and the examiner will contact the DVLA to revoke your provisional licence. You can reapply for a licence after this, but will be required to take an eyesight test first, and will then still have to pass the eyesight test when you take your practical car driving test.

To ensure that you are as safe as possible when driving, and to prevent unnecessary accidents, you should make sure that you get your eyesight checked before you start your driving lessons. Tell the optician that you are going to learn to drive and ask them whether you are likely to meet the required vision standards. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, then make sure that you do. Have regular eye tests throughout your adult life, as eyesight does deteriorate. If your eyesight becomes a problem and you no longer meet the minimum requirements, you are required to inform the DVLA and surrender your licence. It’s not about the DVLA being strict – it’s about keeping our roads safe.

To find out more about learning to drive in Glasgow, contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.