Updates: Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance
2024
Updated section 6.17 - Eyesight - Customers with a disability.
8. Candidates with a disability, health condition or learning difficulty
Added note to section 8.07 - License restriction codes - 32 - Combined service brake and accelerator systems.
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
4. Tractor and specialist vehicle driving tests (categories F, G, H and K)
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
5. Driver CPC part 4 practical safety demonstration test
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
7. Particular types of vehicle and adaptations
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
8. Candidates with a disability, health condition or learning difficulty
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
10. Accident and legal procedures, and other non-operational matters
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
11. Guide to assessment and marking
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
12. Finding and recording faults on the digital test report
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
13. Vehicle safety check questions
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
15. Flowchart for automatic upgrade
The guidance has been updated because driving examiners now record driving test results digitally on a tablet. The guidance has also been reorganised to make it easier to use. There have not been any changes to the way tests are done or how faults are assessed.
This section has been withdrawn because the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stopped providing taxi driving assessments for local councils on 1 January 2017. Other organisations, such as road safety charities and driving instructor organisations, can carry out taxi assessments.
Annex 2: Vehicle safety questions (motorcycles)
This section has been withdrawn because the content has been merged into a single section of vehicle safety questions for all types of vehicles at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/13-vehicle-safety-check-questions
Annex 3 : Vehicle safety questions (car and trailer test)
This section has been withdrawn because the content has been merged into a single section of vehicle safety questions for all types of vehicles at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/13-vehicle-safety-check-questions
Annex 8: Vehicle safety questions (lorry or bus with trailers)
This section has been withdrawn because the content has been merged into a single section of vehicle safety questions for all types of vehicles at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/13-vehicle-safety-check-questions
Annex 4: Vehicle safety questions (large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle)
This section has been withdrawn because the content has been merged into a single section of vehicle safety questions for all types of vehicles at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/13-vehicle-safety-check-questions
Annex 5: Taxi test cabology questions and taxi specifications
This section has been withdrawn because the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stopped providing taxi driving assessments for local councils on 1 January 2017. Other organisations, such as road safety charities and driving instructor organisations, can carry out taxi assessments.
2022
7. General operational matters
Updated the postal address for DVSA in section 7.62 (ministerial correspondence).
8. Accident and legal procedures, and other non-operational matters
Updated the contact details for DVSA press office in section 8.27 (publications, statements to the media).
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
Updated A7.01 Test wordings for cars (all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes).
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
The changes made to A7.01 (Test wordings for cars (all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes)) on 1 March 2022 were incorrectly published. The changes have been removed.
Updated section 2.01 (Motorcycle minimum test vehicles (MTV)) to reduce the minimum engine size for A2 motorcycles from 395cc to 245cc.
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
## A7.01 Test wordings for cars (all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes) - updated to reflect the recent changes to the test
2021
Removed reference to Carding ton in section '2.26: Compulsory basic training (CBT) - supervision and monitoring'
3. Car and trailer (B+E), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Added information about car and trailer driving tests ending.
Annex 3 : Vehicle safety questions (car and trailer test)
Added information about car and trailer driving tests ending.
Annex 6: Guide to assessment and marking
Removed reference to Cardington in section '01: Purpose'
2019
Updated the definition of a category A motorcycle in section 2.01 to say it must be at least 595cc, have an engine power of at least 50kW (67.9bhp) and a kerb-weight of at least 180kg.
1. Car driving test and extended car driving test
Updated section 1.30 to clarify that an additional designated stop must be conducted if stopping on a hill is not possible.
Updated sections 2.15 and 2.21 to clarify that a module 2 motorcycle test must contain a designated stop if a hill start is not available.
7. General operational matters
Updated section 7.16 to clarify which vehicles must have a working engine malfunction indicator lamp.
2018
7. General operational matters
Added a vehicle with a passenger airbag (where fitted) switched off as an example of unsuitable vehicles to section 7.16, and added guidance about candidates attending a test wearing a Kirpan in a new section 7.70.
5. Candidates with an impairment
Added new section 5.13: Spectrum and processing disorders.
7. General operational matters
Updated section 7.03 with information about no valid tax or MOT.
1. Car driving test and extended car driving test
Section 1.0.1 - Added link to category B minimum test vehicle.
Section 1.2.0 - Added references to the D255 - for eyesight test failure.
7. General operational matters
Section 7.15 - Updated information about vehicles that are not suitable for test from 4 June 2018.
1. Car driving test and extended car driving test
Updated information about ADLI in sections: 1.14: Northern Ireland licences and 1.44: Documentation at end of test.
Updated information to remove references to the DL77 in sections: 1.09: Preparations for the test and 1.20: Eyesight.
Updated information about the emergency stop exercise and the avoidance exercise in section: 2.12: Mopeds.
3. Car and trailer (B+E), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated information about trailer loads in section: 3.02: Minimum test vehicles (MTVs) suitable for test purposes
5. Candidates with an impairment
Updated information to remove information referencing the DL77 in section: 5.04: Form D255 - Completion - disability or failed eyesight test
7. General operational matters
Updated information about hire cars in section: 7.41: Hire card on test.
Updated information about test conducted in bad weather in section: 7.46: Bad weather guide for examiners.
Annex 6: Guide to assessment and marking
Updated assessment criteria in section: Item 7: Vehicle checks.
2017
1. Car driving test and extended car driving test
Updated section 1.05 (completion of forms).
7. General operational matters
Updated sections 7.03 (terminated tests - procedure) and 7.35 (independent driving - general instructions).
Annex 6: Guide to assessment and marking
Updated guide to assessment and marking.
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
Updated annex 7 (test wordings, all categories).
1. Car driving test and extended car driving test
Updated various sections of chapter 1 to reflect changes made to the car driving test on 4 December 2017.
Updated section 2.23 - safety, security, and care of DVSA motorcycles.
7. General operational matters
Updated various sections of chapter 7 to reflect changes made to the car driving test on 4 December 2017.
8. Accident and legal procedures, and other non-operational matters
Updated section 8:02 (accident reporting procedure in DVSA) and section 8.19 (injuries).
Annex 1 : Vehicle safety questions (cars)
Updated with the vehicle safety questions used from 4 December 2017.
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
Updated the test wordings for cars to reflect changes made to the car driving test on 4 December 2017.
Added new section 9.07 (Information security incidents), and moved 'General' information to section 9.08.
08: Accident and legal procedures, and other non-operational matters
Updated section - 8.20: Assaults on examiners
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Updated section 1.11 (meeting the candidate) with updated residency information.
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated section 3.50 (uncoupling and recoupling).
07: General operational matters
Updated section 7.64 (quality control assessments).
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Paragraph 1.11 - Meeting the candidate - has been updated
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
An automatic upgrades flowchart has been added to sections 3.18 & 3.54.
New section added.
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated section 3.53 (Test terminated at candidate’s request)
07: General operational matters
Paragraph 7.33 has been updated.
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Updated 1.07: Definition of markings on forms DL25 to remove the advice 'If the ADI is the interpreter both boxes must be marked.'
04: The taxi test (this section is for reference only)
This section has been updated to remind users that DVSA stopped providing taxi driving assessments for local councils from 1 January 2017.
07: General operational matters
Two new paragraphs have been added: 7.81: Electric vehicles for test and 7.82: Tests conducted on a motorway
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Updated section 1.11 Change of name or gender
Updated section 1.23 'L' (or 'D' plates in Wales)
2016
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updates have been made to section 3.02
10: The Driver CPC module 4 practical safety demonstration test
Sections 10.03 to 10.16 updated to reflect the operational changes to the delivery of the module 4 practical demonstration tests.
05: Candidates with an impairment
Updated the EU codes at section 5.03.
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
1.14: Northern Ireland licences has been updated.
07: General operational matters
If an unsuccessful candidate drives away unaccompanied from the test centre, the examiner no longer has to report it to the integrity team. However, they should report the facts to the local police. Form INT3 is no longer needed.
Annex 2: Safety check questions (motorcycles)
Annex 2 was showing the wrong safety check questions before. They've now been updated.
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Updates have been made to section 1.02
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Section 3.05 has been updated.
Annex 4: Safety check questions (C & D)
Updated 'Safety check questions' to include Questions 27 and 28 following user feedback.
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
Section 1.42 has been updated with additional advice.
Annex 1 : Safety Check Questions (Cars)
The answer to Key2 has been updated with further instructions.
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated section, 3.02 to include information on the fire service exemption to minimum test vehicle requirement
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated sections 3.18 & 3.54.
Annex 6: Guide to assessment and marking
Changes made to items 3, 6 and 8.
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
Updated sections 3.18 and 3.54
07: General operational matters
A new sub-section - 7.80 - giving advice on Run flat tyres - has been added.
2015
08: Accident and Legal Procedures, and other non-operational matters
New section added.
07: General operational matters
New section added.
Annex 2: Safety check questions (motorcycles)
New section added.
New section added.
05: Candidates with an impairment
New section added.
Annex 7: Test wordings (all categories)
New section added.
03: The B+E (car and trailer), medium and large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle test
New section added.
New section added.
Annex 5: Taxi test cabology questions & taxi specifications
New section added.
Annex 3 : Safety check questions (car + trailer test (B+E)
New section added.
Annex 6: Guide to assessment and marking
New section added.
06: Particular Types of Vehicle and Adaptations
New section added.
Annex 8: Safety check questions (categories C1+E, C+E, D1+E, D+E)
New section added.
01: The practical driving test and extended test for cars
New section added.
New section added.
Annex 1 : Safety Check Questions (Cars)
New section added.
Annex 4: Safety check questions (C & D)
New section added.
10: The Driver CPC module 4 practical safety demonstration test
New section added.