The Theory Test
On the day of your theory test you will need to present your plastic provisional driving license.
The test involves answering 50 multiple choice questions which you will have 57 minutes to complete using a touch screen computer to select your answers. In order to gain a pass you must achieve a minimum of 43 correct answers.
The screen part of the test is the hazard perception test. This will involve you looking at a computer screen as if you are in the driving seat of a car. You must identify the potential hazard, and a hazard that either makes you alter course or slow down. This is done by clicking the mouse button.
In order to gain a pass, you will have to score a minimum of 44 out of 75. This test includes 14 separate moving clips, and will take approximately 20 minutes.
You will need to pass both parts of the test to get an overall pass.
You must pass your theory test before you can book your practical test.
The Taunton theory test centre is located in Victoria House on Victoria Street, just off of East Reach.
The theory test has recently been changed, and you can read about it here.
The Practical Driving Test
On the day of your test, you will be required to present the following documents:
- Your plastic provisional licence
- And your theory pass certificate
The examiner will check the above documents and test your plastic photo license is not forged. He will ask you if you want your instructor to accompany you on your test, which is entirely up to you. You will then be taken outside where you will perform an eye test which involves reading a number plate that is 20.5 metres away.
The test will last 40 minutes and you will be required to do one manoeuvre. You may also have to do an emergency stop.
The pratical test changed on the 4th of December 2017, and now contains the following elements:
20 Minutes of Independent Driving
During this part of the test, you have to drive without turn-by-turn directions from the driving examiner.
Following Directions from a Sat Nav
During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.
The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up. You won’t need to set the route – the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of sat nav you practise with.
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test – you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.
You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it.
One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.
Reversing manoeuvres will be changed
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres are no longer tested, but you should still be taught them.
You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres:
- Parallel park at the side of the road
- Park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
- Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic
Answering a Vehicle Safety Question While You’re Driving
The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test – these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
- ‘Tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
- ‘Show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI08tzIfo4c
Click here for more information about the test changes.
At the end of the test, if the candidate has passed, the examiner will take both parts of their license and arrange for a full license to be sent to the candidate for no extra fee. The Taunton test centre is located in the Crown Industrial Estate on Venture Way, TA2 8RX. Tel 01823-334412.
Your theory test can now only be booked online, which you can do at https://www.gov.uk/book-a-driving-theory-test.
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