MK-Automatic
Driving School
A Milton Keynes Based Driving School
Specialising In Automatic Driving Tuition
MK-AUTOMATIC.CO.UK
£38 per hour
The Practical Test
Overview
Test Structure ( 5 Parts)
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Eyesight check – read a number plate at 20 metres (20.5m for old-style plates).
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‘Show me, tell me’ questions – 1 ‘tell me’ at the start, 1 ‘show me’ while driving.
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General driving – junctions, roundabouts, urban & rural roads, lane discipline and hazard awareness.
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Reversing exercise – one of the three manoeuvres below.
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Independent driving – ~20 minutes following sat nav directions or traffic signs.
Timing Snapshot
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Arrival & documents: ~5 mins
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Driving assessment: ~40+ mins (includes independent drive)
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Debrief & result: ~5 mins
Extended tests for previously disqualified drivers last ~70 minutes.
~40 Mins
Total Drive Time
5 Parts
Eyesight, Drive, Questions, Independent, Reverse
Max 15 Driver Faults
No Serious or Dangerous Faults Allowed
What happens – Step by Step
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Meet your examiner & ID check – in the test centre waiting room.
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Eyesight check – outside, reading a number plate at 20m (20.5m for old-style plates).
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‘Tell me’ safety question – explain how you’d carry out a basic check of your car (You may be required to open the bonnet).
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35 - 40 min drive – Taking in a variety of roads and traffic conditions and junctions, including normal stops, hill start, angle start and possibly an emergency stop.
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One reversing exercise – as listed below.
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‘Show me’ question while driving – demonstrate that you can operate a car control while driving. (e.g. open and close your side window).
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Independent driving – ~20 minutes following the sat nav or road signs.
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Return to centre, result & debrief – examiner will explain the result and any faults you may have incurred.
What is Independent Driving?
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During the test you will be required to drive independently. This means that you will not receive any directions from the examiner and will need to make all the decisions yourself on where to go.
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The independent drive will last for about 20 minutes and you will need to follow either a sat nav directions or follow road signs. (Around 4 in 5 tests use sat nav which will be provided by the examiner).
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It is important to remember that going the wrong way does not matter by itself – it’s only a problem if it leads to a fault. The examiner is testing you on your ability to make decisions NOT that you can find your way to a particular place.
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The examiner will bring a sat nav (if used), set it and secure it in place at the beginning of the test.
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The independent drive may start at the beginning of the test or further into the drive.
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Remember - Focus on planning, lane choice, safe speed and responding to hazards, taking a wrong turn is not a problem as long as it is done safely and correctly.
The Reversing exercises
During the test you will be required to carry out one
of the following reversing exercises
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Parallel park at the side of the road.
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Reverse bay park in a car park.
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Drive forward into a bay in a car park and reverse out.
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Pull up on the right, reverse ~2 car lengths, then re-join traffic when safe.
What the examiner will look for during the exercise
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All round observation - before and during the manoeuvre. Safety and consideration for other road users and pedestrians is priority.
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Control - coordination between speed and steering.
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Accuracy - You don't have to get it right first time so don't rush and correct the position if necessary.
Standards Required & the End of the Test
How the test is marked
During the test the examiner will be marking you on a tablet, you are only marked on your faults. They are as follows:-
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Driving faults (“minors”): non‑dangerous lapses. You can have up to 15.
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Serious faults: potentially dangerous or a breach of the law – automatic fail.
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Dangerous faults: actual danger, usually if the examiner has to take action. – automatic fail.
After the test
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If you pass, you will be issued wit a pass certificate and the examiner can arrange for your full licence to be processed. You can drive straight away if your car is insured.
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If you do not pass, you’ll get feedback on what to improve before rebooking.
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Ask your instructor to sit in on the debrief if you want another set of ears.
Pass standard
To pass: no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
Your debrief highlights strengths and areas to improve whether you pass or not.
Using your own car for the test
Although it is common, it is not a requirement to use
a driving instructors car for the test, or have a car with dual controls. There are however a few key rules you must follow if you use your own car.
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The car must be roadworthy, taxed, MOT (if 3+ years) and insured for a driving test.
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There must be no warning lights showing (e.g. airbag). It must have legal tyre tread with no damage and no space-saver fitted.
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Two interior mirrors: one for you, one for the examiner.
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It must have 4 seats with front passenger seatbelt & head restraint (no slip‑on headrests).
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L plates front and rear; a mph speedometer and able to reach 62mph.
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It must have 4 wheels and be under 3,500kg MAM.
Before you get to the test centre
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Clear the dashboard and footwells; remove extra sat navs/cameras if distracting.
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Car must be smoke‑free before and during the test.
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Bring an extra interior mirror (most driving schools supply one).
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The examiner provides and sets up the sat nav when used. You cannot use your own.
On The Day Checklist
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✅ Photocard UK provisional licence (required).
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✅ Theory test pass certificate if you have it (not essential to bring a copy).
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✅ Bring a Suitable car (instructor’s or your own) meeting the rules below.
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✅ Arrive 5 minutes early, reverse park into a parking bay at the test centre.
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✅Switch phones to silent; have glasses/contacts if needed.
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✅Wait in the waiting room for your examiner.
Note:-
If you cannot read a number plate at 20m during the eyesight check, the test ends and you’ll fail.