Book Online

Book your driving test

Book your driving test

ARE YOU READY FOR 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.

Book your driving test today

Book your test online

GETTING THE EXPERIENCE

According to the DVSA, 51 out of every 100 driving tests failed during January 2025. 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.

Trust our RED Driving Instructors

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.

Practice with family and friends

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.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON REASONS PEOPLE FAIL A DRIVING TEST?

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 enough experience and preparing for various road conditions is crucial to passing.

REASONS FOR FAILING

Making a silly mistake

According to the DVSA, 1 in 5 failed students fail due 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 happen due to a lack of preparation or nerves.

Being too nervous

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.

Manoeuvres and technical faults

Technical errors, like failing to complete a manoeuvre correctly, are also common reasons for failure. It’s all about practice—especially under test-like conditions so make sure you practise reverse parking, parallel parking, and three-point turns so you feel more comfortable.

Getting the test cancelled

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 these errors!

How can you avoid failing?

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: Familiarise 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.

HAVE YOU PASSED YOUR THEORY TEST YET?

OUR LEARN TO DRIVE WITH RED APP HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED

Learning to drive efficiently is being able to monitor and track your progress to test success. The Learn To Drive With RED app is a practical and theory-driving app that allows you to follow your driving lesson progression and study for your driving theory test all in one place. Designed to make learning fun, effective, and convenient.

  • Purchase and book driving lessons with your instructor
  • Complete set of DVSA questions, hazard perception clips and video case studies
  • Personalised daily training plan
  • Timed mock tests

Start your journey with a 30-day free trial. Download now.

Book your test online

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.

Book online

FAQs

Can I practice driving outside of lessons?

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.

What do I do if I don’t feel ready for my booked test?

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.

You may also be interested in…

Learn to drive with our automatic driving lessons

Read more

Learning to drive in a manual car is not for everyone – for many people, automatic driving lessons are a better option. Find out more.

Read more

Prepare for your practical Driving Test with RED

Read more

It’s important to get plenty of practice before taking your practical driving test. Find out more and start learning with RED Driving School

Read more

Learn more about RED Learner Driver Insurance and how to apply

Read more

RED’s Learner insurance is a great way to gain those extra recommended hours of practice sessions in your own car, or in a friend’s or relative’s car. Find out more.

Read more