Driving Tests

See also driving test centres

Restricted licence test

The restricted licence test takes an hour and involves about 45 minutes driving. This allows time for the vehicle checks and debrief afterwards. The test is in two stages, stage 1 and stage 2. You need to pass stage 1 to proceed onto stage 2. You will be given directions by the Testing Officer and will need to stick to the test route. Failure to do so will result in failing the test.

You will be assessed on a wide variety of traffic situations. Some of these are covered in the full licence test

These may include:-

• Roundabouts
• T intersections
• Cross intersections
• Traffic light intersections
• Flush medians 
• Bus lanes
• Lane Changing
• Merge lanes
• Medium speed traffic
• Faster speed traffic

You will also be expected to perform either a parallel park or a 3 point turn.

For each traffic situation you will be assessed against a number of items.

These include:

• Observation - Mirror use, headchecks, Scanning the road, 12 second search
• Signal use - Giving correct signals, timing of signals etc
• Positioning - Correct positioning on the road for the traffic situation
• Speed control - Driving at the correct speed for the traffic situation, speed limits
• Following distance - Keeping a safe distance (2 or 4 second rule)
• Gap selection - Choosing a safe gap at intersections

All these topics will have been covered on lessons by the driving instructor so shouldn't present a problem on the day of the test.

Things to avoid on the test!