What is the Driving Standards Test for Northern Ireland?
It is about much more than just operating a car and there a variety of things you will need to know.
What the things you will need to know has no straight forward answer.
The DVA (Northern Ireland) have named it the 'Practical Driving Test' but a more accurate name would be the Driving Standards Test.
So what's the real difference between those 2 titles?
Driving a car in a basic sense can be learned in a relatively low number of lessons and the co-ordination of hands, feet and basic observation and motor skills isn't that hard to master. The more intense part of learning to drive to the test standard in Northern Ireland is the much the much more important part and the part that will get you to the standard of driving you will need to pass the test itself.
If you have done your test in another country, outside the EU for example, the standards in that country are often not as high as that of Northern Ireland and having an International Licence does not mean you will pass the test without any proper training.
What does that mean for you and your desire to obtain a driving licence in Northern Ireland?
With us you can rely on the fact that we work really hard to give each pupil the skills they need to meet the Northern Ireland Driving Test standard. Road Safety, Awareness, Planning, Observation, Manoeuvres and everything else you will need so that you are fully prepared for the day of your Driving Test.
Practical Driving Test FAQ's:
How many lessons will it take to learn to drive?
On average a manual car will take between 24 and 30 lessons and an automatic car 20-26 lessons. This does depend on the learner driver and some pick up things fast than others and some slower than others. There is no definitive number as every learner driver learns and adapts differently.
What age can you start to learn to drive?
In Northern Ireland you can apply for a Provisional Driving Licence just in advance of your 17th birthday and you can start driving on that birthday date. There some special exceptions to that where this can be 16 if you have a condition resulting in you receiving the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or Child/Adult Disability Payment.
The price of your 1st Provisional Driving Licence is £62.50 and you can apply here.
Where are the DVA Test Centres in Northern Ireland?
Hydebank (Belfast), Balmoral (Belfast), Lisburn, Newtownards, Larne, Ballymena, Craigavon, Coleraine, Londonderry, Armagh, Downpatrick, Newry, Enniskillen, Cookstown, Omagh.
If you have any questions about the information above please do not hesitate to get in touch.
You can call us on 02895704470 or email us at info@vrooomdrivinglessons.co.uk. You can also use the Chat feature on either the bottom left or right of the screen.
What does all this mean?
There is a lot of work that goes in to getting a learning driver up to the necessary standard to successfully pass the Driving Test.
Some of the key things you will need to be fully proficient at and be tested on are:
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The eyesight check.
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Performing an Emergency Stop correctly.
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Performing one of the standard Manoeuvres correctly. (1 of 4 manoeuvres selected by the Examiner on the day.)
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Your use of all the vehicles controls and contact surfaces.
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Your ability to move the car of safely and under control
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Your ability to interpret effective mirror use and good all-round observation
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Your ability to signal the vehicle correctly.
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Your safe clearance of obstructions.
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Your response to all road users, control features and more.
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Your Speed and it's use.
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Your Progress in relation to a wide range of scenarios.
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Your overall judgement.
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Your ability to position your vehicle correctly at all times.
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How you deal with Pedestrian Crossing and other Road Users.
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Your Awareness and Planning.
And much more.
DOWNLOAD OUR SHOW ME, TELL ME QUESTIONS GUIDE HERE.
The Northern Ireland Driving Test FAQ's:
What is the Northern Ireland Driving Test about?
The Driving Test is about your ability to obey our road rules and the safety at which you drive and apply those rules. The overall scheme is called 'Safe Driving for Life' and this should be every drivers focus when taking the test. It is not a test of your ability to operate a motor vehicle which most seem to think is the case. Driving a car is simple with practice but driving a car safely comes from the application of road rules and consistent practice of those rules.
What happens during the Driving Test?
The test has a number of things that will happen, as follows:
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You must arrive at the test centre 10-15 minutes prior to your test.
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Upon your arrival you wait in the waiting area (with your Instructor or supervising driver).
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At the designated time an Examiner will call your name for your Test.
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Presentation of your Driving Licence and paper counterpart as well as your Theory Pass Certificate to the Examiners.
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You will be asked to read and sign a declaration on a tablet confirming a range of details.
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You will be given a breakdown of what to expect on your test on the way to your car.
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You will be asked to read a number plate at a distance of approx. 20 metres. (I must be able to read the plate.)
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There will be an inspection of the car for it's general roadworthiness.
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You will be asked the 'Show Me, Tell Me Questions' by the Examiner prior to starting the driving section of your test.
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Out on the road you will be expected to present a safe standard of driving, awareness and safety through-out the drive.
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You will be asked to perform at least 1 of the 4 manoeuvres.
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You will be asked to perform an Emergency Stop.
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You can be asked to perform a period of Independent Driving after being given instructions and being shown a diagram.
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You Driving Test should last approx. 35 minutes in total.
What sort of things will I need to learn for the Driving Test?
You will need to show a high and safe standard of driving in the following areas:
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Excellent use of your mirrors and general observation.
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Reading the road ahead and adapting your driving accordingly.
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Excellent levels of understanding of/and how to control your car.
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A complete understanding of all road rules including, road signage, road markings, all form of traffic control etc.
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Maintaining safe distances.
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Driving at appropriate speeds for differing scenarios.
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Highly proficient at all manoeuvres, including the Emergency Stop.
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Show proficiency with levels of independent driving.
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How well you interact safely with all other road users and pedestrians.
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A good understanding of appropriate positioning of your car when on the road.
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and much, much more.
What's the pass mark and format for the Northern Ireland driving test?
If you haven't already you should read our blog post detailing the driving test pass rates for each test centre in Northern Ireland which gives you some insight into the pass rates for each test centre.
Be careful with what you read here as it doesn't tell the whole story. There are a number of contributing factors that make up the information here, ones that we have went on to explain.
The basics of test marking though are that you are allowed anything up to 15 minors, no serious faults and no dangerous faults. Habitual faults mean you can fail with 4 or 5 minors in the same field of error.
The current first time pass rate for those sitting the Driving Test in Northern Ireland is around 56%.
Our Driving Lessons and Lesson Support Options
MANUAL DRIVING LESSONS
Drive both Manual & Automatic cars after passing your test.
From £45 per hour.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING LESSONS
Are a more relaxed way of learning to drive, taking the stress out of the process.
From £45 per hour.
INTENSIVE DRIVING COURSES
With 3, 2 & 1 week options we have something to suit you getting you to test standard faster.
Beginners - £1299 / Intermediate - £999 / Advanced - £699
MOCK DRIVING TESTS
Our Mock Driving Tests let you find out if you're test ready.
From £70.
REFRESHER DRIVING LESSONS
Not driven for a while? Lost a bit of confidence?
Our Refresher Lessons will get you back on the road.
From £45 per hour.
DISQUALIFIED DRIVER LESSONS
Been banned from driving?
Our Disqualified Driver Lessons will help get you back on the road.
From £45 per hour.
MEDICAL DRIVING APPRAISALS
Let our professional opinion lead your decision about hanging up your driving gloves.
From £55 per hour.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER LESSONS
It's not just the ability to drive but the standard at which you drive is important.
From £45 per hour.
FREE DRIVING TEST ROUTES
We have a catalogue of Driving Test Route GPS Maps all free to download with Vrooom Driving Lessons.
DRIVING LESSON HELP FOR PARENTS
Our range of lesson help guides give you the power to keep an eye on your Driver the way your Driving Instructor does.
From £9.99.
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