Thursday, November 17, 2011

Booking driving test, preparation and DSA theory and practical test

Book driving test appointment:

The beginning towards getting a full license is to booking driving test for your Theory test exam. You need to book your test at a test center nearest and most convenient to you. You can book your test either online, telephone or even by post.

Driving test appointments can be booked and subject to three clear working days notice, be canceled or changed using the online booking service or the telephone. You can also download an application form and apply by post. You will need to Make sure you have a valid provisional driving license before you can take your driving theory test. You can directly apply for a provisional driving license from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application form (form D1) can be obtained from your local Post Office. If you have a valid provisional driving license then you can book your theory test. 95 percent of theory test candidates receive an appointment date within two weeks of their preferred date but Waiting times vary from region to region.

To book driving test online and telephone you will need -

A valid UK provisional driving license
A valid debit or credit card for payment (MasterCard, Delta, Visa Electron, Visa, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

To book driving test by post you will need an application form. Application forms are available online or on request from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) booking line. Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not accepted.

Prepare for DSA theory test:

After your Theory test appointment has been confirmed you need to prepare for your theory test.

The test consists of two sections:

1. The Multiple choice part: The multiple choice section of the DSA test is designed to test your understanding of the theory behind driving. Each multiple choice test questions in DSA test vary according to the vehicle's category. i.e. a motorcycle driving test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other DSA test. A question and several answer options will appear on computer's touch screen and you have to select the right answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.

2. The Hazard perception part:

This part of the DSA driving test designed to test your awareness of potential hazards while driving. You will be shown with a series of 14 video clips. Each clip is about a minute long. which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard and you need to click the mouse when you see a hazard developing. The videos feature various types of hazard, such as road conditions, vehicles and pedestrians. The earlier you spot a hazard developing that may require the driver to take some action, the higher the score. There are 15 score able hazards in the tests and candidates can score 0 to 5 points on each hazard.

The Practical driving test:

You need to pass practical driving test, after you have passed your theory test exam.

The driving part of your test will about 40 minutes. Throughout the practical test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. 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 practical test.

The Driving practical test will include a check eyesight (if you fail this check, your test will not continue). The eyesight check requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises.

The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

* Reversing around a corner
* Reverse parking
* Turning in the road

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the practical test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

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.

When your practical test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.