How prompt cards will be used during your driving test if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment
Published 24 February 2022
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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When you take your car driving test, your driving examiner can use prompt cards to support you if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.
The prompt cards give short written instructions and diagrams so you know what you need to do. Your examiner will not use the cards when the car is moving.
Before the day of your test
Your driving examiner might arrange to meet you and your driving instructor before the day of your driving test. You’ll need to go to the driving test centre.
During this meeting your examiner will:
- tell you what to expect during the test
- show you the prompt cards and explain how they will use them
- find out what hand gestures you and your driving instructor used during your driving lessons
- reassure you that they’ll use the same hand gestures during the test
On the day of your test
If your examiner cannot meet you on a day before your driving test, they will:
- talk to you and your instructor to find out what instructions you received during training and how you wish to communicate - for example, if you want to lip read
- ask you if you know about the prompt cards
Your examiner will check your ID. They will ask you to read declarations and confirm your email address.
If you take a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter with you, your driving examiner will explain their role and how they will be involved during the test.
Checking your eyesight
Your driving examiner will check your eyesight by asking you to read a number plate.
They will show you this prompt card.
You can write your answer to this instead of speaking if you would prefer.
Asking a ‘tell me’ vehicle safety question
Your driving examiner will ask a ‘tell me’ question. They will show a prompt card similar to this.
During the test
Before you start the car, you and your driving examiner will agree hand signals for:
- stopping and pulling over
- moving off
- pulling up on the left
- turning left or right (at side roads and end of the road)
- exiting roundabouts
When your examiner wants to use a card, they will ask you to pull up using the pre-agreed hand signal. They will then show a prompt card.
They will not use the cards when the car is moving.
Before you start the car and move off, your examiner will show you these prompt cards.
Independent driving
Your examiner will ask you to pull up on the left. They will ask you to drive independently either by:
- following directions from a sat nav
- following road traffic signs
You’ll need to drive independently until the examiner tells you not to. You should raise your left hand if you do not understand at any time.
Following directions from a sat nav
If your examiner asks you to follow directions from a sat nav, they will show you this prompt card.
Following traffic signs
If your examiner asks you to follow traffic signs, they will show you this prompt card.
At the end of the independent driving section
Your examiner will ask you to pull up on the left and show you this prompt card at the end of the independent driving section.
Asking a ‘show me’ vehicle safety question
Your examiner will ask you to pull up on the left.
When you’ve stopped, your driving examiner will ask a ‘show me’ question.
They will show a prompt card that looks like this.
You will then need to drive on and when it’s safe to do so carry out the control you need to demonstrate.
Emergency stop
Your examiner might ask you to carry out an emergency stop during your test.
If they do ask you to do one, they will ask you to pull up on the left. When you’ve stopped, they will explain that they’ll be asking you to do an emergency stop.
They will show you these prompt card cards.
You will then need to drive on. When they give the gesture, you need to stop as quickly and safely as possible.
Carrying out a reverse exercise
You’ll have to carry out a reverse exercise during your test.
The examiner will ask you to pull up on the left. When you’re stopped, 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 rejoin the traffic
They will show a prompt card that looks like this.
Getting your result
After your test has finished, your examiner will ask you to pull up and show you the prompt card that says your test has finished.
If you pass
Your examiner will show you these prompt cards if you pass your test.
If you do not pass
Your examiner will show you this prompt card if you do not pass the test.
