Driving Tests in Kettering          

The practical driving test includes a section of independent driving. This tests your ability to drive unsupervised and make safe decisions, without guidance, in unfamiliar driving situations.

During the test candidates will have to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, traffic signs, or a combination of both. To help candidates understand where they're going, the examiner may show them a diagram.

Independent driving is not a test of the candidate's navigation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault, there's nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time. There is no change to assessment.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give the candidate directions until they can see the next traffic sign - they won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

If the candidate asks for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them. Driving independently means making your own decisions and this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you're going.

You obviously cannot use a SatNav device for independent driving.

Car test candidates (category B) must complete one reversing manoeuvre, which will be selected by the examiner from:

• turning in the road
  
  
• reversing around a corner
  
  
• reverse parking (either on the road, or into a bay)

An emergency stop exercise will be conducted on one in three tests.

The DSA has procedures to identify additional needs and disabilities when tests are booked. The examiner then knows which type of additional needs the candidate has so reasonable adjustment can be made. For independent driving this could be asking the candidate which method they prefer for the section – in other words, following signs, or a series of directions (a maximum of three) which are supported by a diagram approved by the British Dyslexia Association. In some cases this will be shortened to just two directions.        

DT1 Form        
The DT1 is the document that guides Examiners on carrying out tests                                       

DL25 Form
The DL25 is the form on which your driving test is logged.

The top boxes on the form regard the admin of the test. Most of the boxes will be filled in by the examiner – such as the application reference, date and time. He will also fill in the car details such as the car registration and type of test. You will be required to sign a declaration acknowledging that the test vehicle is roadworthy and insured. Once filled in, the test begins.

1. Eyesight test: Failing the eyesight test will be marked in section 1a as a serious error. The test will terminate. Section 1b only applies if you are not required to take a separate theory test.

2. Controlled Stop: If you are asked to perform this manoeuvre, you will be marked on your promptness and control of the vehicle. 1 in 3 tests will be required to perform the controlled stop.
   
   
3. Reverse Around A Corner (Left): You should display observational skills and maintain full control of the vehicle, to finish within 30cm of the kerb.
   
   
4. Reverse Around A Corner (Right): You will not be required to perform this at Kettering Test Centre.
   
   
5. Reverse Parking: You should finish the manoeuvre about 30cm from the kerb, within 2 car lengths of the car in front.
   
   
6. Turn In The Road: You must not hit the kerb, maintain control of the vehicle and observe all around during the TIR.
   
   
7. The Vehicle Checks: You will be required to answer two of the Show Me Tell Me questions..

Manoeuvres 8 and 9 are used in the taxi test only; manoeuvre 10 is only used in the car + trailer test.

For the following items, you can receive up to three minor marks. Should you receive three minors for any section, you will automatically receive a serious fault, and will therefore fail the test.

1. Precautions: Before you move away at the start of the test, you should ensure that your mirrors are set, that you are comfortably seated and can reach the pedals and controls, and that your seatbelt is fastened.
   
   
2. Control: This covers control of the clutch, gears, accelerator, brakes, steering and the use of the parking brake. Drive smoothly, selecting appropriate gears at appropriate times, and depressing the clutch before coming to a stop will be required. Making full use of the parking brake when stationary, and when performing hill starts will be needed. It is this section where it is easiest to pick up minor marks thanks to the number of different items you will be marked upon.
   
   
3. Moving Off: You should be able to move from a stationary position in a safe and controlled manner. The examiner will ask you to move from a level position, as well as a hill start. You will be marked on safety and control, so stalling will earn a minor mark. Remembering to check your mirrors is important, as you could potentially earn a dangerous mark if you fail to check your mirrors.
   
   
4. Use of Mirrors: During normal driving, you should check your mirrors frequently. You should also use mirrors when making a turn, changing speed or performing manoeuvres.
   
   
5. Signals: You should use your indicators to inform other road users (including pedestrians) of your intentions. Always signal in good time, and ensure that the signal has been cancelled after performing the manoeuvre, to avoid confusing other road users.
   
   
6. Clearance & Obstructions: Ensure you leave plenty of room to pass stationary vehicles or obstructions, and drive with caution in case a pedestrian walks into the road or a car door opens without warning.
   
   
7. Response to Signs and Signals: You should be able to understand and respond to traffic signs, and should respond to them as appropriate. You will also need to obey traffic signals such as traffic lights, as well as signals given by police officers, crossing patrols, and other road users.
   
   
8. Use of Speed: You should make safe progress, without travelling too slowly, or exceeding the speed limit. It is also important to ensure you can stop safely in the distance you have available, and so your speed should be appropriate to this. Factors such as traffic, weather and obstacles should also be taken into account.
   
   
9. Following Distance: The “2 Second Rule” should be followed at all times (4 seconds if wet). You must not tailgate vehicles in front. When in a queue of traffic, leave enough space between yourself and the vehicle in front to pull out and pass if the vehicle has problems.
   
   
10. Maintain Progress: You should show the examiner you are capable of driving at a speed appropriate to conditions. You should also be able to pass hazards at a safe, controlled speed. At junctions, you should be prepared to move out as soon as it is safe to do so.
    
    
11. Junctions (Including Roundabouts): You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you don’t cross the white lines. You should position the vehicle correctly in order to prevent any obstruction to another vehicle. At a multi-lane junction, ensure your vehicle is positioned in the correct lane. When turning right, do not cut the corner. If turning left, do not swing out of the junction. Stay alert, and watch for cyclists and pedestrians.
    
    
12. Judgement: You must exercise good judgment in overtaking stationary vehicles, or when overtaking cyclists and motorcyclists, particularly as cyclists can wobble and swerve. Similar judgment should be exercised where a road narrows, or where traffic calming measures exist.

Also, where you are turning out of a junction, good judgment should be displayed when pulling out of the junction, in order to prevent another driver having to slow down to avoid you.

1. Road Positioning: Your vehicle should be positioned in a sensible position at all times. You shouldn’t cross white lines (unless overtaking), nor move beyond them at a junction. Where multiple lanes exist, you should drive in the centre of the lane, and should not straddle the lane markings.
   
   
2. Pedestrian Crossings: You should be able to recognise the different types of crossing, and should show courtesy to pedestrians. At all crossings, you should slow down and stop if required. You should give way to pedestrians when there is an amber light flashing (either on a pelican or a zebra crossing), and give way to cyclists at toucan crossings.
   
   
3. Positioning (When Stopping): You should stop where it is safe, where you will not obstruct a road. You should never stop on yellow lines, white zigzag markings. Nor should you stop in a bus stop, as this is an instant fail. When stopped, you should apply your handbrake.
   
   
4. Awareness/Planning: You must display awareness of other road users at all times. You should be thinking ahead, and planning ahead so that you can judge what other road users are going to do, make plans to avoid them, and act in good time. Changes in traffic conditions should also be planned for. You should take extra care considering more vulnerable road users such as cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.
   
   
5. Ancillary Controls: You should be able to use controls in the car as and when required. Controls such as headlights, windscreen demisters, indicators and windscreen wipers. You should be able to operate the controls without looking down.

At the end of the test, your driving errors will be written up for each section, and added up to give a total. The examiner will also fill in which route was taken, and finally will fill in the pass/fail box, before announcing the result to you.

Are you ready?
Practice all the manoeuvres until you can carry them out flawlessly. Practice until you can drive for at least 40 minutes without advice from your instructor. Family and friends are not qualified to assess whether you are ready to pass the driving test, even if they think they are.