UPDATED NOV 2025 Driving Test Explained

HERE ARE THE MAIN AREAS THE DRIVING TEST HAS CHANGED AND WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM MONDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2025

•The required number of normal stops is being cut from four to three.

•Emergency stops will now happen in roughly one in seven tests instead of one in three.

•Examiners can now stretch the independent driving section to the full length of the test, using a sat nav, road signs, or a mix of both.

The main reason for these changes is to make the driving test more realistic and better reflect the way you’ll drive once you’ve passed. By spending more time on higher-speed roads, you’ll gain valuable experience in a wider range of traffic and road conditions, which will hopefully help reduce accidents among new drivers.

BELOW ARE SOME COMMON QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED AND EXPLAIN THE TEST IN MORE DETAIL

WHICH CAR WILL I USE ON THE TEST?

You will do the driving test in your instructors car unless you wish to use your own car if you have one.

HOW LONG IS THE DRIVING TEST?

You’ll spend around 40 minutes behind the wheel driving on a variety of roads and traffic conditions .

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE I DRIVE?

You will sign a declaration to say the car is insured for you and be asked to read a number plate from 20 metres away, so don’t forget your glasses or contacts if you need them to see clearly. You will also need to take your provisional license. The examiner will ask you if you want your instructor to sit in the back of the car on your test, this is upto you. They can’t offer any advice as your driving independently.

THEN WHAT?

Next comes the ‘tell me’ questions, something like ‘Tell me, how you’d check your direction indicators are working? You’ll find the full list of show me tell me questions in the resources section in our Total Drive app.

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE WE START DRIVING?

You’ll be asked to drive independently for a large section of the test, this could be for the full duration and will either be following satnav, road signs to a destination or both. Taking a wrong turn is no big deal, as long as you do it safely, you are not being tested on your navigation , they just want to ensure you can drive safely.

WILL I BE ASKED A ‘SHOW ME’ QUESTION? 

Yes, here you will need to ensure you can use buttons and settings in the car while keeping the car safe. Ensure you can maintain the speed of the car, keep the steering under control and glance at the control panel if necessary.

WHAT MANOEUVRES WILL BE PART OF THE TEST? 

As well as performing a hill start, pulling out from behind a parked car and making a normal stop at the side of the road, you may need to carry out an emergency stop. You’ll also need to carry out one of the reversing manoeuvres either a forward bay park then reverse out, a reverse bay park and then drive out, a parallel park or a pull up on the right and reverse back 2 car lengths. 

HOW GOOD DO I NEED TO BE TO PASS?

You need to prove that you are safe and competent. As long as you don’t make anymore than 15 driving faults (minors) and no serious or dangerous faults (majors) you’ll be okay!

AFTER THE TEST?

Whether you pass or fail, they will talk you through any faults you have made. If you’re unsuccessful, work on your faults and come back stronger. If you’ve been successful, you can get straight on the road as soon as your insurance has been sorted. Your driving instructor always drives you home, not because your not insured it’s because you will be reflecting on your experience and now you can relax and contemplate your future driving journey.

Thanks for reading 

The-Driving-Academy-Team