Book your driving test
Book your driving test
Are you ready for your driving test? With demand at an all-time high, it’s important to ensure you’re fully prepared before taking your test. Not only will this save you money and the hassle of rebooking if you don’t pass, but it will also help you avoid long waiting lists for another chance.
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According to the DVSA, between January and March 2022, 53 out of every 100 driving tests failed. A big factor behind this is the need for more sufficient driving experience. On average, it takes 45 hours of driving lessons with an instructor and 22 hours of practice with family or friends to be fully prepared. These hours ensure you have a broad understanding of different driving scenarios, from busy city streets to rural roads.
It’s tempting to rush into your test, especially if you’re eager to start driving independently. However, ensuring you’re genuinely ready will save you from potential disappointment and make you a safer driver in the long run.
Trusting your RED driving instructor to tell you when you are ready for your driving test is essential, as they are highly trained and experienced in assessing a learner’s ability to handle real-world driving scenarios. They can evaluate your skills, including road awareness, vehicle control, and decision-making under pressure. Their feedback is grounded in years of experience preparing students for tests, so you can rely on their judgment to guide you through the learning process.
On average it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons with a driving instructor and 22 hours of practice with family or friends to learn to drive.
Typically, your instructor will know when you’re ready to take your test. But the key advice is to not rush into taking it. We know how getting on the road as fast as possible is enticing, but rushing things will likely end up in it taking longer.
While professional lessons are crucial, additional practice with family or friends can make a significant difference. These real-world experiences outside your structured lessons will help solidify your skills and give you the confidence to drive independently. Practice regularly to keep your skills sharp.
Learner driver insurance allows you to practice in your car or a family member’s car outside of formal lessons. Not only does this increase your driving time, but it also allows you to become familiar with a vehicle you’ll likely use post-test. RED offers flexible and affordable learner insurance policies that can be set up quickly so you can start practising right away.
RED offers flexible learner insurance policies that are affordable and can be arranged in minutes.
There’s a wide variety of reasons people fail their driving test, and for most learners, it comes down to one simple factor: not having enough real-world driving experience. You may have perfected your manoeuvres in lessons, but the unpredictable nature of driving in different conditions truly tests your skills.
Whether making a minor mistake due to nerves or being caught off-guard by an unexpected situation, gaining sufficient experience and preparing for various road conditions is crucial to passing.
According to the DVSA, 1 in 5 failed candidates attribute their failure to making a simple mistake. This could be anything from stalling the car to misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic at a junction. These mistakes often stem from a lack of preparation or nerves, leading to concentration lapses.
Another key factor is nerves. Driving tests can be stressful, especially if you’re not confident in your abilities. About 1 in 10 candidates say nervousness caused them to fail. Staying calm and composed can make all the difference.
Technical errors, like failing to complete a manoeuvre correctly, are also common reasons for failure. If you're uncomfortable with these moves, reverse parking, parallel parking, and three-point turns can all go wrong. It’s all about practice—especially under test-like conditions.
Surprisingly, many tests are cancelled before they even start. Over 1,100 driving tests are cancelled each month, with reasons ranging from bringing incorrect documents to arriving late. Don’t let all your preparation go to waste by missing out on the test due to administrative errors!
Avoiding failure is all about being prepared. The better prepared you are, the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel on test day. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances of passing:
Practice regularly: The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more instinctive your driving will become. Whether you’re practising with your instructor or family, aim to get as much real-world experience as possible.
Master your manoeuvres: Ensure you’re confident in all required manoeuvres, including parallel parking, reverse bay parking, and the emergency stop. Practice these until they feel second nature.
Keep calm and breathe: Try to maintain your calm on test day. Being too nervous can lead to mistakes, but a relaxed mindset can help you make better decisions.
Check your documents: Ensure you have everything you need for test day, including your provisional driving license and other required paperwork. Double-check that your car meets DVSA requirements if you’re using your own.Prepare your route: Familiarize yourself with the area surrounding your test centre. Knowing the roads you’re likely to encounter can reduce test-day.
If you have a driving test booked but feel that you’re not yet ready, you can re-arrange the test for free as long as it’s 3 working days before (Monday – Saturday).
Your driving instructor should be helping you with these things and won’t suggest you take your test until you are ready. Listen to their advice, and don’t rush into booking your test if you feel unprepared.
You can easily book your driving test online through the DVSA website. Make sure you choose a test centre you’re familiar with, as this can reduce test-day nerves and increase your comfort with the surrounding roads. Check the availability early, as many test centres can have long waiting times, especially in busy areas.
Yes! Practising driving with family or friends is highly recommended for extra experience. To do this legally, you’ll need learner driver insurance, which can be easily arranged to cover you while practising in someone else’s car or your own.
If you have a driving test booked but feel unsure about your readiness, don’t hesitate to reschedule. You can change the date for free, as long as it's at least three working days before the test (Monday to Saturday). Your driving instructor can guide you in assessing your readiness. Their recommendation will likely indicate whether you’re ready to pass or need more time. Listen to their advice, and don’t rush the process.
Learning to drive in a manual car is not for everyone – for many people, automatic driving lessons are a better option. Find out more.
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