Driving Test
The information stated below provides information and data about passing a driving test. Majority of the information has been extracted from the Driving Standards Agency website about an LGV or PCV driving tests.
Driver CPC part 1 - Theory Test
You can book the part 1 theory test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence.
The test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts separately, but you can take them on the same day.
It does not matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
- A Great Britain photocard driving licence
- A Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- An EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
How the Theory test works
Multiple-choice questions part
You can take a practice test to find out how the test works. The multiple-choice questions part lasts for 1 hour and 55 minutes, and the pass mark is 85 out of 100 questions.
Hazard perception part
Watch a video about how the hazard perception part works. You’ll watch 19 videos, and there are 20 developing hazards to spot. The pass mark is 67 out of 100. You cannot review your answers.
Your test result
You’ll be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you’ve just taken. When you’ve passed both parts, your theory test certificate will be posted to you. You need this when you book your Driver CPC part 3 driving test.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.
You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3 driving test within 2 years, otherwise, you’ll have to pass the part 1 theory test again.
If you fail the theory tests
You’ll get a results letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed. You can book another theory test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.
Driver CPC part 3 - Driving Ability Test
You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3 test.
If you want to take your test in England and do not already have an appointment, your driving school must book your test for you.
What to take to your test
You must bring a lorry or a bus or coach that meets the rules.
Currently, you must bring a face covering, unless you have a good reason not to wear one.
You must also bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring these.
How the Practical test works
Your practical test will last about 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes:
- Vehicle safety questions
- Practical road driving
- Off-road exercises
Vehicle safety questions
During your test you’ll be asked vehicle safety questions on either:
- Lorries, buses and coaches
- Lorries, buses and coaches towing trailers
Practical road driving
During your practical road driving, the examiner will see how you:
- Use the vehicle controls
- Move away at an angle, uphill and downhill
- Do a controlled stop
- Use the mirrors
- Give appropriate signals
- Show awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions
- Manage your progress and control your vehicle speed
- Deal with hazards
- Select a safe place to stop
There will also be 10 minutes of independent driving, designed to test your ability to drive safely while making independent decisions.
Off-road exercises
The off-road exercises will include:
- An ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
- Showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer
During the driving test
You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.
If you make a mistake which means you’ve failed, your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre. The test will end early.
Test result
After you’ve taken the practical test your examiner will tell you if you’ve passed and explained how you did.
You’ll pass your test if you make:
- 15 or fewer driving faults
- No serious or dangerous faults
If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.
Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have a pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.
The Manoeuvring test layout for the off-road practical part of your HGV driver can be viewed on the manoeuvring exercise (reversing) as shown in the first image on the next page.
You can calculate the measurements for the type of vehicle or vehicle & trailer you will be using on the test by referring to the measurements chart on the following page.
Example - Manoeuvring Exercise
If you are to take your manoeuvring test in an articulated lorry with an overall length of 18.75 metres, the two markers A and A1 will be moved forward to the top of the area at the 66-metre point.
