Everything you need to know before your driving test. Bill covers all of this in your lessons — so nothing catches you off guard on the day.
Before you can book your practical driving test, you must pass the DVSA theory test. It has two parts — multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception clip test — and you need to pass both on the same sitting.
Theory Test Preparation
| Section | Questions / Clips | Pass Mark | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | 50 questions | 43 / 50 | 57 mins |
| Hazard Perception | 14 video clips | 44 / 75 | No time limit |
Book your theory test at a DVSA-approved centre
You must be at least 15 years 9 months old to apply for a provisional licence. You can sit your theory test once you have your provisional. The nearest test centres are in Sale and Manchester city centre.
Use the official DVSA revision app
The DVSA's official Theory Test Kit app uses the same question bank as the real test. Do a full mock test daily in the week before your sitting — it's the single most effective preparation.
Don't click too fast on hazard perception
Clicking repeatedly gets you zero on that clip. Click once when you spot a developing hazard — a hazard that forces the driver to change speed or direction — and once more if it develops further.
Learn the Highway Code properly
Speed limits, stopping distances, road signs, road markings — these come up repeatedly. Don't skip the rules and signs section. Bill reinforces all of this during practical lessons.
Sit it before you're too far into practical lessons
You need a valid theory test pass certificate to book your practical. Aim to sit the theory once you're comfortable on quieter roads — don't leave it to the last minute.
Stopping distance questions appear in almost every theory test. The total stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Learn the pattern rather than memorising individual numbers.
| Speed | Thinking Distance | Braking Distance | Total Stopping Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 6 metres | 6 metres | 12 metres (3 car lengths) |
| 30 mph | 9 metres | 14 metres | 23 metres (6 car lengths) |
| 40 mph | 12 metres | 24 metres | 36 metres (9 car lengths) |
| 50 mph | 15 metres | 38 metres | 53 metres (13 car lengths) |
| 60 mph | 18 metres | 55 metres | 73 metres (18 car lengths) |
| 70 mph | 21 metres | 75 metres | 96 metres (24 car lengths) |
Based on Highway Code figures for a car with good brakes in dry conditions. Wet roads double the braking distance.
At the start of your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you one "Tell Me" question (answered verbally before you drive) and one "Show Me" question (demonstrated while driving). Getting either wrong counts as one minor fault — it won't fail you on its own, but it's an easy mark to lose unnecessarily.
Bill covers every one of these in your lessons. By test day, they should feel instinctive.
Show Me Tell Me — Know Your Vehicle Controls
How would you check that the brakes are working before starting a journey?
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off — they should be responsive and stop the car progressively.
Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
In the vehicle handbook. Use a reliable pressure gauge when tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare. Recheck after inflating and replace valve caps.
Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part is at least as high as your eye or top of your ears, and as close to the back of the head as possible.
Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts or bulges in the sidewall. Minimum 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre, for the full circumference. Use a tread depth gauge or the 20p test.
Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
Turn on lights, walk around the vehicle. You would need someone to help check brake lights, or reverse up to a wall to see the reflection. Check for any warning lights on the dashboard.
Tell me how you would check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. When you start the engine, you may be able to feel the system engage. Check for warning lights.
Tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify the dipstick, clean it and reinsert fully, then remove to read the level. It should be between the min and max marks. Top up with the correct type of oil if needed.
Tell me how you would check the engine coolant is at the correct level.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir — it should be between the min and max marks. Only top up when the engine is cold. Use the correct coolant mix.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
Use the rear wash/wipe control — typically a separate stalk or button to the windscreen wiper controls. Operate while driving at a safe moment.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would switch on your dipped headlights?
Operate the lighting control — most modern cars use a rotary switch on the stalk. Demonstrate the movement from off or auto to dipped.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would set the rear demister?
Find and press the heated rear window button (usually marked with a symbol of a window with wavy lines). Confirm it's activated by pointing to the indicator light or the button illuminating.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would operate the horn?
Press the centre of the steering wheel. The examiner just wants to know you know where it is — you won't need to actually sound it.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would demist the front windscreen?
Use the heater/blower directed to the windscreen, increase fan speed and temperature, and activate front heated windscreen if fitted. Air-con helps clear mist quickly.
When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you would open and close the side window?
Use the electric window switch on the door panel. Press down to open, pull up to close. Show you know which switch operates which window.
Bill has been preparing students for tests at Sale Driving Test Centre for over 30 years. He knows every road, junction and manoeuvre that comes up on the test routes — and he practises all of it with you before the day.
Sale Test Routes · 30+ Years of Local Knowledge
Duration
The practical test takes around 40 minutes of driving, plus time for the Show Me Tell Me questions at the start. Arrive at the test centre at least 10 minutes early.
Independent Driving
Around 20 minutes of the test will be independent driving — following a sat nav, road signs, or a series of verbal directions. Bill practises this with you so it feels natural on the day.
Manoeuvres
You'll be asked to perform one of the following: parallel park, forward or reverse bay park, or pull up on the right and reverse. Bill covers all four in lessons so you're ready for any of them.
Emergency Stop
About one in three candidates will be asked to do an emergency stop. The examiner will raise their hand suddenly — stop as quickly and safely as possible without skidding.
Faults
Up to 15 minor faults = pass. A single serious or dangerous fault = fail. Don't let one mistake throw you — the examiner is not recording everything, and the test continues after a minor error.
Sale test routes typically cover a mix of residential roads, A-roads, and town centre driving. You may encounter:
| Road Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Washway Road (A56) | Dual carriageway, bus lanes, lane discipline at junctions |
| Sale town centre | Pedestrian crossings, bus stops, tight junctions |
| Residential streets | Parked cars, emerging traffic, speed limit changes |
| Stretford Road | Traffic signals, filtering lanes, cyclist awareness |
| Broad Road area | Give way markings, school zones, narrow sections |
Sale Driving Test Centre
Waterside Plaza,
Sale, M33 7ZF
Book your practical test directly through the DVSA website. You'll need your driving licence number and theory test pass certificate number.
Bill accompanies every student
Bill drives you to the test centre in his dual-control car — the same car you've trained in throughout. You wait for the examiner together, and Bill is there when you come back, whatever the result.
On the day — what to bring
Bill's pass rate at Sale
first time — vs 48% national average
Bill covers all of this in your lessons — so test day holds no surprises.