There are a number of documents which you need to produce at the start of the driving test. These are to ensure that the test is conducted legally. These documents must contain the relevant information and be valid for the day of the test. You will also be asked to sign an insurance declaration stating that the test vehicle is insured for the purposes of the test. The documents are listed below:
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If you are unable to produce your driving licence there are a number of possible alternative documents which can be used. You can view this additional information by selecting the "Evidence for the test" Link.
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Prior to carrying out this procedure it is important to ensure, if you use corrective lens, that you have these with you. If you require corrective lens to read the number plate the examiner will insist that you use these during the test.
The examiner will ask you to read a clean number plate on a stationary vehicle, which contains letters and figures 79 mm high and 57mm wide, at a distance which is more than 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the letters and figures are 50mm wide (12 meters or 12.3 meters respectively for category K). If you are unable to read the number the examiner will ask you to read another number plate (still at the same distance) and, if necessary, allow you to walk forward until it is just over the appropriate distance.
If you are still unable to read the second number plate the examiner will ask you to wait in the waiting room while s/he measures out the precise distance from a third plate. The measuring tape will be left so that you can see the exact distance.
If you fail to read the third plate and the examiner is satisfied beyond doubt of your inability to comply with the eyesight requirement then you will be told that you have not reached the required eyesight standard, this will mean immediate failure to pass the test so the remainder of the test will not be carried out.
The examiner will ask you to sign a form to acknowledging that you were unable to comply with the eyesight requirement and he will give you a copy of the driving test report form (DL9).
We recommend that you test yourself prior to coming for test to ensure your test goes ahead. If you are unsure your sight will comply with these requirements please make arrangements to have your eyesight checked.
More detailed information can be found in
car show me tell me questions (pdf, 185Kb)
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At the start of the test the examiner will give you a short introduction explaining what the test entails. S/he will advise you on how long the test will take (approximately 40mins) and what it will include. S/he will inform you that you will have a number of manoeuvres to carryout during the test; these will be selected by the examiner and can be any two from the following three manoeuvres:
- Turn In The Road (commonly referred to as the 3 point turn)
- Reverse into a side road which could either be to the (a) left or (b) the right (Right reverse is carried out then the test vehicles view to the rear is obscured e.g. Van)
- Reverse behind (a) a parked car or (b) into a Parking Bay.
The Bay Park exercise can be carried out either at the start of the test or at the end. When you perform the manoeuvre at the start you will be asked to drive out of the bay, turn to the left or right (if both these options are available) and stop with the wheels straight ahead before reversing back into any convenient bay. If this manoeuvre is carried out at the end of the test you will be advised to pull up possible with the bays in view and asked to reverse back into a convenient bay.
You will also be asked to carry out an Emergency Stop, an Angle Start (move off from behind a parked car) and several Normal Stops (moving off from the side of the road).
The examiner will advise you to follow the road ahead unless directed otherwise. S/he will explain that if you do not understand the instructions you should let her / him know and s/he will clarify what they have asked you to do.
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At the end of all tests (pass or fail) the examiner will offer you a brief explanation of the faults marked on your driving test report (DL9). The debrief will aim to give you a 'word picture' of your performance during the test. It will include all the serious and dangerous faults if you have failed and a selection of the repeated driving faults if you have passed. If you fail as a consequence of accumulating more than 15 driving faults, all the faults will be explained.
The examiners will ask you at this point if you would like to have your instructor or accompanying driver present during the de-brief. It is important therefore to have this individual near by at the conclusion of the test. The examiner will not have the time for you to going looking for them.
We would encourage you to avail of this service as the feedback that you get, pass or fail, is going to benefit you during your driving career.
If your instructor / accompanying driver is not present during this process the examiner will not be able to discuss your performance once the test has concluded.
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Any vehicle or vehicle/trailer combination presented for use at test must meet minimum test vehicle standards (MTV). These standards are part of European Community Legislation on Driver Licensing. Northern Ireland as a member of the European Union is obliged to comply with these requirements.
Minimum Test Vehicle requirements:
| Category | Specification |
|---|
| B | Four-wheeled motor vehicle of no more than 3.5 tonnes capable of at least 100km/hr. Fitted with front and rear seats, fully functional seat belts for the front and rear seats, an appropriate head restraint for the front passenger seat; and a suitable rear view mirror fitted for use by the examiner. A mirror fitted to the sun visor is not acceptable. Vehicles fitted with electronically operated parking brakes are not acceptable for the purpose of the driving test. |
| B1(invalid carriages) | An invalid carriage. |
| B1 in the case of any other test. | Any vehicle in sub-category B1 capable of a speed of 60 kilometres per hour on the level. |
| B+E (In the case of a vehicle first used before 30th September 2003) | A combination of a minimum test vehicle for category B and a trailer having a maximum authorised mass of 1,000 kilograms which is capable of a speed of 100 kilometres per hour on the level. |
| B+E (In the case of a vehicle first used on or after 30th September 2003) | A combination of a minimum test vehicle for category B and a trailer having a maximum authorised mass of 1,000 kilograms, capable of a speed of at least 100 kilometres per hour on the level, which does not fall within category B; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the corresponding dimensions of the tractor vehicle; the closed box body may also be slightly less wide than the tractor vehicle provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the tractor vehicle. |
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Relating to Categories B1, B & B+E
(For B1, B (see notes 1 & 2) and B+E (see notes 3,4, 5 & 6))
- It is not a legal requirement that the head restraint be adjustable, but the passenger seat head restraint must be fitted as an integral part of the seat. (for further information see Community Directive 78/932/EEC(a))
- "Slip-on" type head restraints are not permissible.
- All vehicles and trailers presented for test must be unladen.
- All vehicles must have rear forward facing seats (excluding vehicles in sub cateory B1 if constructed without rear seats) fitted with properly anchored and functioning seat belts.
- All vehicle combinations must operate on appropriate brakes and utilise a coupling arrangement suitable for the weight.
- See coupling & uncoupling (pdf, 18KB)
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Test Categories: Car