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Skills You Need to Pass Your Driving Test

When you learn to drive, you'll be learning and practising 27 important driving skills that you'll need for a lifetime of safe driving.

Watch & Learn

These official DVSA videos will help you understand what's expected during your driving test.

Understanding the Driving Test

Learn what to expect during your practical driving test and how examiners assess your driving.

Show Me, Tell Me Questions

Practice the vehicle safety questions you'll be asked at the start of your driving test.

How to Learn Effectively

Learn with a Driving Instructor

It's unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) will have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. They're specially trained to help you learn all 27 skills.

Find out about taking driving lessons →

Practise with Family or Friends

When you're at the right level, it's a good idea to start practising with family or friends between your driving lessons. People who combine extra practice with driving lessons do better when they take their test.

Find out about practising with family or friends →

The 27 Skills You Need to Learn

The 27 skills you need to learn to become a safe driver are split into 8 groups.

1-4

Basics

Includes legal responsibilities, safety checks, cockpit checks and security.

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5-7

Control and Positioning

Includes controls and instruments, moving away and stopping, and safe positioning.

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8-13

Observation, Signalling and Planning

Includes mirrors, signals, anticipation and planning, use of speed, other traffic and fuel-efficient driving.

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14-16

Junctions, Roundabouts and Crossings

Includes junctions, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.

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17-20

Manoeuvres

Includes reversing, turning the car around, parking and emergency stops.

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21-23

Road Types

Includes country roads, dual carriageways and motorways.

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24-26

Driving Conditions

Includes driving in the dark, driving in different weather conditions, and driving with passengers and loads.

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27

Following Routes

Includes independent driving following directions from a sat nav and a series of traffic signs.

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Not Feeling Completely Prepared?

Only take your driving test if you're feeling completely prepared. You can move your driving test back if you're not feeling quite ready yet.

It's free to change your appointment time, as long as you do it at least 10 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before your test.

Change Your Driving Test Appointment

Ready to Start Learning?

Book your driving lessons with Fresh Start Driving Academy and master all 27 skills with our expert instruction.

Book Your Lessons

Content sourced from the DVSA Ready to Pass? campaign. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.