Driving Test Routes
Driving test routes detailed below are possible test routes that our dedicated Driving Instructors will skilfully guide you through in relation to the Hornchurch Test Centre. Test route information is provided by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Please note that any test route in Hornchurch is subject to alteration at the discretion of the examiner.
- Hornchurch Test Routes: 1 – 5
- Hornchurch Test Routes: 6 – 10
- Hornchurch Test Routes: 11 – 15
- Hornchurch Test Routes: 16 – 20
- Hornchurch Test Routes: 21 – 24
During the driving test
What to take to your test
You must take:
- Your UK driving licence
- Your theory test pass certificate
- A car – most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules
Your test will be cancelled and you won’t get your money back if you don’t take the right things with you.
Taking someone with you:
Your examiner will ask if you want someone to:
- Sit in the back of the car during the test
- Be with you for the result and feedback
This will usually be your driving instructor, but you can take a relative or friend. They can’t take any part in the test.
They must:
- Be over 16
- Follow the rules about observing tests
You can’t take a foreign language interpreter with you. You have to take the test in English or Welsh.
There are 5 parts to the driving test:
- An eyesight check
- ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
- General driving ability
- Reversing your vehicle
- Independent driving
The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.
How long the test lasts:
You’ll drive for around 40 minutes. You will drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.
Eyesight check:
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:
- 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
- 5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
During the practical driving test the examiner will give you clear directions which you will need follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. The examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.
Reversing your vehicle
The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:
- Parallel park at the side of the road
- Park in a parking bay – either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
- Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and re-join the traffic
- You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested. However, you should still be taught them by your Instructor.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your Wests School Of Motoring driving instructor has taught you during your lessons. If you make a mistake, please do not worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result.
The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.