Driving Test in Liverpool
Overview
Did you know…the driving test was first introduced all the way back in 1935.
According to government archives, Mr RE Beere from London secured a footnote in history when, on 16 March 1935, he became the first person in Britain to pass the driving test.
Since its introduction the pass rate has dropped from 63% to the current pass rate, which is 47%. This could be an indication of how the test has evolved in its 80 year history and how tough it has now become to pass.
If you’d like to learn more about what to expect on the current driving test, just follow our step by step guide below.
What will I
be tested on?
You’ll be tested on these 5 steps:
- Eyesight
- ‘Show me, tell me’ – vehicle safety questions
- Driving ability
- One reversing manoeuvre
- Independent driving
Driving Test
marking sheet
During the driving test the examiner will note any driving faults on the test report (DL25) which is attached to their electronic tablet.
The driving faults are categorised into minor, serious and dangerous in the appropriate box. An automatic fail, would be a result of one isolated serious or dangerous fault and also cumulative of minor faults. Anymore than 15, will be an automatic fail too.
Once you’ve completed the test, the examiner will verbally explain your result to you and then the report will be emailed over to you, with guidance on where to improve if any faults were recorded on your driving test.
Top Ten
Reasons Why
People Fail their Driving Test
- Observations at junctions
- Mirrors when changing direction
- Steering control
- Junctions turning right
- Move off safely
- Response to traffic lights
- Move off control
- Position normal driving
- Response to road signs and road markings
- Control – parallel parking
Preparing
For A driving
Test in Liverpool
Did you know Liverpool has two driving test centres?
- Norris Green
- Speke
Norris Green
Driving
Test Centre
Norris Green Driving Test Centre is located on Falklands Approach, which is two roads away from Townsend Avenue, where the infamous ‘Norris Green double roundabout‘ is situated.
This junction is just one of many in and around this area, you’ll need to practice before booking and taking a driving test at this centre.
Pass Rates
Looking at the table below you can see there has been a slight drop from 45% – in 2015 to the most recent year recorded, which is now 40%.
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
45%
44%
43%
42%
40%
Historically, national pass rates for all driving tests, generally are around 47% – which is 7% higher than what the current pass rate is at Norris Green driving test centre.
Driving Test Routes
Although the DVSA don’t publish driving test routes anymore, we’ve attached some of the older routes they did publish, which the driving examiners still currently use at Norris Green.
Speke
Driving Test Centre
Speke Driving Test Centre was founded in 2018, when the old Garston Driving Test Centre on Woolton Road relocated to its new location just off Banks Road.
Having a capacity to conduct 10 driving tests at a time, instead of 6, was the main reason for its relocation from Garston to Speke.
Pass Rates
Speke has quickly gained a reputation as one of the hardest driving test centres to pass your driving test in the UK, with its current pass rate 14% lower than the national average.
2018/19
2019/20
32%
33%
Driving Test Routes
Speke Driving Test Centre has a L19 postcode, which according to Wikepedia is a postcode that belongs to Garston – not Speke.
According to google maps, the location is only a 3 minute drive from its old location, which therefore made no real difference to the test routes when the centre re-located.
The routes that you’ll be taken on when you take your driving test at Speke, are virtually identical to the routes that were covered at the old Garston Driving Test Centre.
Although the DVSA have never published test routes for Speke, we’ve attached some of the older routes they did publish for Garston, which should come in handy if you’re taking your driving test at Speke.
If you do use the test routes, bear in mind they will start and finish at Woolton Road and not Skyhawk Avenue.
On the day you take your driving test, you’ll need to take along your provisional driving licence. Its recommended you take along your theory test certificate too.
If you wear glasses for distance, take them along too, as you’ll need them to pass the eye test. You don’t need to take along, confirmation of your driving test booking, however it may be needed if their are any discrepancies.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, you’re not allowed to have your driving instructor sitting in on your driving test.
Before Covid restrictions, you was allowed to have someone attend your driving test, weather that be your driving instructor, a family member or your friend.
If you would like to read more guidance on the rules, you can do so by clicking on the DVSA link
The Dvsa won’t supply the vehicle you take your driving test in, you’ll need to supply it yourself.
If you’ve been taking driving lessons with a driving instructor, normally you’ll use their tuition vehicle for the driving test. Alternatively, you can use your own – but just make sure you check what vehicles Cannot be used for the test
The driving examiner will not start the driving test if they know it’s being recorded without permission.
They’ll stop the test if they become aware that it’s being recorded. The examiner will then give the candidate the chance to turn off the recording equipment.
The test will be ended and the candidate will lose their test fee if the candidate cannot do this quickly or easily.
You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:
- is external facing and does not film the inside of the vehicle
- does not record audio from inside the vehicle
DVSA will under no circumstances accept, comment on, or review audio or video footage provided by a test candidate or third party to facilitate a challenge to the conduct of any theory or practical test or its result.
Below we’ve listed what we would regard as our 4 key steps. By following the steps correctly should give you a realistic chance of passing your driving test on the first attempt.
OUR MOTTO
is 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail.' Unfortunately a large % of test fails are simply because candidates have taken a test before they should have.
TEST ROUTES
Test routes shouldn't be manipulated. However, we would recommend to get plenty of practice in the area you take your driving test, as there may be junctions that are bespoke to the area they're located.
UNDERSTAND
What a driving test entails. A test can feel a little alien to a driving lesson. We recommend taking Mock tests to gain an understanding of how you will perform.
TEST NERVES
Your nerves and how you manage them can play a big part in the outcome of your Driving Test. Try to understand your own nerves and work on calming strategies to manage them effectively.