DSA Practical Test
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A DSA Practical Driving Test is a test administered by the Driving Standards Agency which UK learner drivers must pass to obtain a driving licence. Different tests are available for users of different vehicles, from car drivers, to motorcyclists and HGV drivers.
It is necessary to have passed a DSA Driving Theory Test and a DSA Hazard Perception Test before sitting this exam. Passing this test then entitles one to hold a full UK driving licence.
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[edit] Format
The practical test is taken on the road, with the examiner directing the candidate around a pre-determined (but unknown to the candidate) route. The examiner marks the candidate for driving faults (commonly called minor faults or minors), serious faults, and dangerous faults. A candidate will fail the test if he or she accumulates any serious or dangerous faults, or more than fifteen "minors". A failure is also achieved if the driver has 4 minor faults in the same box. The test lasts 37 minutes in a standard test, or one hour when the candidate is taking a test after having their licence revoked.
[edit] Eyesight Test
Before getting to the car, the examiner will ask the candidate to read a car's number plate at a distance. The distance required is 20.5 metres for an old-style plate (A123ABC) and 20 metres for a new style plate (AB51ABC). If the candidate needs glasses to do this then these must be the ones worn whilst completing the rest of the test. If the candidate fails to read the number plate correctly then the test does not continue and the candidate has failed.
[edit] "Show me, tell me"
Before the candidate is taken out onto the road, the examiner asks two basic questions about car maintenance and safety. These are always phrased in the form "Show me..." and "Tell me..."; for example:
- Show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
- Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A failure to answer one or both of these questions correctly would result in a driving fault being marked against the candidate.
[edit] Manoeuvres
During the test, the examiner will ask the candidate to carry out any TWO manoeuvres from the following four:
- Bay park
- Turn in the road
- Left corner reverse
- Parallel park
It is the examiner's choice which manoeuvres a candidate is asked to perform. Also, one candidate in three will have to perform an emergency stop.
Candidates taking the test after having their licence revoked must carry out ALL manoeuvres.
[edit] General driving
Usually, the time taken in finding an appropriate place for the candidate to carry out the two manoeuvres and driving to an appropriate stretch of road bearing the national speed limit satisfies the minimum amount of time required on the test. This naturally involves a certain amount of general town driving, during which faults can be gained. If the minimum amount of time has not been satisfied, the candidate may be asked to drive around to satisfy it.
