Lorry and bus driver practical test
- What will the test include?
- What happens during the test?
- Driving test standards
- Special needs and your practical test
- After the practical test
What will the test include?
Drivers seeking vocational licence entitlement should be experienced and technically expert, the assessment criteria reflects this. At the beginning of the test you will be asked five vehicle related safety questions which will be a combination of "show me" and "tell me". A driving fault will be recorded for each incorrect answer to a maximum of four driving faults. If the candidate answers all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault will be recorded.
Please use the link below to download a list of the safety questions you could be asked at the beginning of your driving test.
Lorry and bus safety questions
After the safety questions you will be examined on your general driving and on set exercises. The set exercises will include:
- an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
- a braking exercise
- demonstrating the uncoupling and re-coupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer
The drive on the road last about 60 minutes and the overall test takes about 90 minutes.
What happens during the test?
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
You are allowed to take someone with you on the test; this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.
Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.
Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. We will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test will go ahead.
If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.
Special needs and your practical test
The Driving Standards Agency is committed to equal opportunities for all. We provide a number of facilities for candidates with special needs or physical disabilities.
When booking your practical test, please let us know if you:
- are deaf or have severe hearing difficulties
- are in any way restricted in your movements
- have any physical disability
No matter how serious your disability might be, you will still take the same driving test as every other test candidate. However, more time is allowed for the test. This is to allow the examiner to talk to you about your disability and any adaptations fitted to your vehicle
Using an interpreter
You may bring your own interpreter for your practical test as long as they are:
- not your driving instructor
- over 16 years of age
You will be responsible for arranging your interpreter and for any cost involved.
After the practical test
When the driving test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.
If you pass…
Automatic driving licence issue
If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.
If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within three weeks of you passing your practical test.
Sending your licence to DVLA
If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.
If you fail…
If you fail the test you should ask the examiner for some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You can take another practical test three working days after your bus or lorry test.
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Page last updated: 22/05/2008