The practical test of driving ability consists of tests of eyesight, safety questions and driving
technique. The test will last for about one hour. You must pass all parts of the test at the sametime.

The eyesight test
You must be able to read in good daylight with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn, a motor vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures:

1. 79 millimetres in height and 50 millimetres wide at a distance of 26.5 metres or

2. 79 millimetres in height and 57 millimetres wide at a distance of 27.5 metres

If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be allowed to take the driving ability element. The
test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.

Safety questions
As from the 10th August 2005 your examiner will ask you to 
describe how to perform a check on the condition and safety of three components of the vehicle
and demonstrate an actual check on the condition of a further two components.

The components will be chosen from the following list: tyres, steering, brakes, lights, reflectors, direction indicators, audible warning device and the liquids used in the braking system, steering system, engine or elsewhere in the vehicle as a coolant, lubricant, cleaner or otherwise. 

You will find the range of safety questions in the related items box on the right hand side.

Test of driving ability
This is an advanced driving test and a very high standard of competence is required. You must
show that you have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety and
that you can apply them. You must satisfy the examiner on all or any of the following subjects:

1 expert handling of the controls 
2 use of correct road procedure
3 anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action
4 sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
4 consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users

The routes used for the test will include roads which may carry heavy and/or fast moving traffic;
they will also cover a range of road and traffic conditions, including urban and rural conditions.

What else must I be able to do in order to pass?
You must show the ability to perform any or all of the following manoeuvres including all three of
the reversing exercises:

1 move away straight ahead or at an angle
2 overtake, meet or cross the path of other vehicles and take an appropriate course without
undue hesitancy
3 turn left-hand and right-hand corners correctly without undue hesitancy
4 stop the vehicle in an emergency
5 drive the vehicle in reverse gear and whilst doing so enter limited openings to the right and to
the left, taking effective all round observation
6 turn the vehicle to face in the opposite direction by the use of forward and reverse gears taking effective all-round observation
7 reverse park the vehicle into the space behind a parked car, within the space of about two car lengths and close to and parallel with the kerb, taking effective all round observation. or
8 reverse park into a parking bay, with due regard for other vehicles or pedestrians, while taking effective all-round observation

The test vehicle
It is your responsibility to provide a car which is properly taxed and insured. It must be a saloon
car or hatchback/estate car in good working condition and with seat belts in working order. It must
be capable of the normal performance of vehicles of its type with a manual transmission, right-
hand steering, a readily adjustable seat with a head restraint for a forward facing front passenger,
and an adjustable interior rear view mirror for use by the examiner. The car must not display L
plates.

If your vehicle does not meet the above requirements, it will not be possible to carry out the test. 

At the end of the test
When you have finished the practical driving test you will be given your result by the examiner.

If you pass, on the back of the result letter there is an application form
for the part three test. When you are fully prepared for the next stage (the test of ability to instruct)
you should apply for the test in one of the ways described in that letter. 

You will also be offered a trainee licence application form on which you can apply for a trainee licence to help you gain experience in instructing pupils to drive. The trainee licence lasts six
months and normally only one is granted in the two year qualifying period. 

It is not essential to have a licence in order to prepare for the part three examination, but it is an
option that is available to assist in preparing for the examination. Holders of a trainee licence
should be aware that the licence is deemed to have lapsed on the day following a third
unsuccessful attempt at the part three examination.

For more information about the trainee licence, please see the link in the related content box.

If you fail, the result letter contains an application form. This can be used to apply to re-sit the
part two test – provided you have not used up your three attempts.

Trainee Licence
Once you have passed the first two parts of the ADI qualification process, you can apply for a
trainee licence to help you gain experience instructing pupils to drive.

A trainee licence allows youto be legally paid for giving driving instruction, but should not be
regarded as a sole means of making a living or as an alternative to registration as an ADI.

It is issued only for you to gain practical experience in preparation for the part three instructional ability test and is useful for those in the final stages of training for a part three examination. 

The trainee licence lasts six months and normally only one is granted in the two year qualifying period. It is not essential to have one, but it is an option that is available to assist in preparing
people for the part three examination.

Applying for a trainee licence
If you apply for a trainee licence you must:

1 hold and have held a full UK or European (EU or EEA) car driving licence for a total of at least
four out the past six years, up to the date of application.
2 not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years up to the date of application
3 be a fit and proper person
4 have passed the theory part and the practical part of the qualifying examinations
5 be eligible to take the test of ability to instruct
6 not have passed the theory test more than two years before the date of your application

The application form for trainee licences can be obtained from the examiner who passed you on
your driving ability test.

Conditions
The conditions under which a licence is granted are:

1 you are only authorised to give instruction for the school whose address is shown on the licence
2 there must be at least one ADI working at the supervisor’s address for every trainee licence
holder employed there
3 you must receive 40 hours practical training from a qualified ADI. It is your responsibility to make sure that you receive training in each of the specified subjects
4 you must not advertise yourself as a fully qualified instructor
5 you must abide by one of the following conditions

1. you must receive supervision for 20 per cent of all lessons you give from your sponsoring ADI.
A record of all lessons given, along with the supervision received must be kept on the form ADI
21S which will be issued with the licence. This must be signed by you and your ADI and must be returned to DSA as soon as the licence expires

2. you must receive a minimum additional 20 hours training covering all the specified topics. This extra training must take place within the first three months of the licence or before you take your
first attempt at part three, whichever is the soonest. A record of this training must be kept on the
form ADI 21AT, and must be sent to DSA before the end of the three month period, or presented to
the examiner conducting the part three test, whichever is the earliest. At least 25 per cent of the training will have to be practical training

Displaying the trainee licence
When instruction is being given the licence must be displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the front windscreen. The use of the licence is your own responsibility. No refunds will be given for any period when the licence is not used.  If you cannot make full use of your licence and you have to
stop giving tuition, return it to the issuing office immediately. If your trainee licence is lost or stolen
you should report it to the police and to DSA straight away.

Appeals regarding failure of Part 2 or Part 3.
You may appeal to a Magistrate’s Court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff’s office, if you consider your
test was not conducted properly in accordance with the regulations.  However you cannot appeal against the examiner’s decision.