Around half the test you are expected to drive independently, with the either the help of a sat nav, following road signs or a combination of the two. The rest of the test the examiner gives you directions, don’t worry about going the wrong way, it’s a driving, not a navigation test (although there is a limit but you have to go a long way off course for the test to be abandoned). 

The day of your test will follow something like this. Pick you up an hour before hand, make sure you have your driving licence. (They also ask you to take your Theory Pass paper. This is mainly historical as you can no longer book your Practical Test if you haven’t passed your Theory.  Although it is still a good idea to bring it with you).

We will go on a drive to get you warmed up and cover any last minute bits you want to go over. We will arrive at the test centre around five minutes early, at the the time of writing we can’t go inside the test centre so we will wait by the car. The examiner will ask to see your licence and you will need to sign the form like it is on your licence. Next the examiner will ask a Tell Me question about the car (see Show Me Tell Me section) before moving off out of the car park.

You might start straight away with the independent driving or that might come later, you will do one reversing manoeuvre on the test. Some tests will involved an emergency stop, all will involve much pulling over and moving off again (check those blind spots!).

 Once you arrive back they will tell you the result before they leave the car.