'L' Test Syllabus
For the Practical Test, the following need to have been mastered totally confidently, as well as your having passed the Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test.
(You can't book a Practical Test until you've got your Theory/HPT Certificate 'in the bag')
Those items in bold print are required by law to be tested.
- Reading a number plate at the prescribed distance.
- Knowledge of the "Show Me / Tell Me" question bank.
- A drive lasting at least 30 minutes from the instruction to "Move off ...."
- Correct use of the main controls (accelerator, clutch, gears, foot-brake, hand-brake, steering)
- Correct use of ancillary controls if necessary (lights, wipers, de-mister etc)
- Correct use of mirrors at all times
- Moving off - at an Angle / on a Level road / Uphill / Downhill
- Emergency Stop (now named the 'Controlled Stop Exercise') promptly and under full control
- Selecting appropriate, safe places for normal stopping
- Pedestrian Crossings (Zebra / Pelican) Method of Approach
- Approaching Junctions to left and right (major into minor)
- Emerging from junctions Left/Right (minor into major)
- Dealing with Crossroads
- Dealing with roundabouts (traffic islands)
- Meet / Cross / Overtake / Clearance / Anticipation of other road-users
- Making Normal Progress with no undue Hesitancy / Good Road Positioning
- Taking appropriate action on all traffic signs / road markings / traffic lights
- Correct use of signals (including knowledge of correct arm-signals)
TWO manoeuvres from the following THREE are tested; all need to be mastered and be completed under full control and with proper observation.
- Turn in the road using forward and reverse gears
- Reverse to the Left or Right
- Reverse Park (see note below)
The Reverse Park manoeuvre may be a Parallel Park out on the road during the Test, or where there are properly marked-out bays at the Test Centre may be a Bay Park exercise, to take place either at the start or the very end of the Test. If the reverse is to be into a parking bay, the candidate may choose whether to reverse in from the right or the left, as long as the traffic-flow in the Car Park allows a choice.
Once your test is over a de-brief will be offered regardless of whether you’ve passed or failed. Your examiner will ask whether you would like your instructor to be present for the de-brief. Please let me be there! If you’ve passed it’ll be great to be there with you to hear the good news. If unfortunately you’ve not been successful it’s really important for me to find out why and how we can cover these areas in your future lessons.