Mock Test
A mock driving test provides you a variety of benefits that can help you with your driving test.
You’ve passed your theory test and have made your way through most of your driving lessons. You’ve now reached the last step in your learning journey: the driving test.
Dreaded by most learners, nerves and adrenaline can become overwhelming on the day. This is why many instructors opt to prepare students beforehand by offering their learners mock driving tests.
We’re going to look at exactly what a mock driving test entails and why it might be worth taking one before your test date. We’ll also give you some top tips!
What is a mock driving test?
Once you’ve made your way through most of your driving course and your instructor decides you’re ready, they may decide to give you a run through of the driving test – a mock driving test
Similarly to the actual practical test, a mock driving test provides learners with a chance to see what they may expect on the day of their test. An instructor may give a learner a mock driving test a couple of weeks or so before their test date.
Leaving a gap between the mock test and the practical is absolutely vital. It gives learners enough time to work on any weak areas highlighted by their performance in the mock test and gives the learner more than enough time to ensure they have the right amount of confidence before they have to go in for the real thing.
If your instructor has chosen to give you a mock driving test, it will likely take place near your chosen test centre. This means that you may end up driving on a route that’s similar to the one you’ll take on during your practical test!
Why should I take a mock driving test?
Your driving lessons are designed to take you from a complete beginner to a confident driver. Of course, whilst you might have the skills, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re ready for the driving test. Unless you’ve investigated the format of the driving test, there is a structure on how the one-hour test will go.
Like any test, revision is key. From the ‘show me, tell me’ questions to the eyesight test, learning the mock driving test structure will reduce test day nerves as you would have experienced the settings. Your driving instructor will also make your mock driving test as realistic as possible
What will happen during a mock driving test?
If you’re taking a mock driving test, it will mostly follow the structure of the actual driving test, but it will vary depending on the instructor.
The actual driving test usually lasts around 40 minutes. When it comes to the mock driving test, however, your instructor may extend the time so that they can cover as much as possible.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect with a mock driving test…
The mock driving test structure
- An eyesight test
At the beginning of the driving test, will be asked to complete a mandatory eyesight test before getting into the car. This will involve you reading a number plate from 20 or 20.5 metres away, or around 4 car lengths. You must wear your glasses or contact lenses if you require them. - ‘Show me, tell me’ questions
The show me tell me questions shows that you have a basic understanding of your vehicle. Before you start driving the examiner will ask you to answer a ‘tell me’ question , e.g., “Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted”. The ‘show me’ question will be asked once you start driving, e.g., “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?”. Your instructor may ask you multiple ‘show me, tell me’ questions, so make sure you revise! - Assessment of your driving ability
Similarly to the real test, your instructor will take you on the roads around your chosen test centre, which you should be mostly familiar with by now. They will incorporate a few different road features and ensure you complete multiple manoeuvres to ensure you’re comfortable with a variety of different traffic conditions to test your skills, speed awareness and hazard perception. - Independent driving
By following a sat nav or sign posts to reach a destination chosen by your instructor, you will be driving independently for around 20 minutes on the actual test, but your instructor might choose to extend this just for practice purposes.
Remember: you are allowed to go the wrong way as long as you’re showing that you can safely follow directions (using a sat nav or signs). - Assessment of your manoeuvring ability
During the driving test, you’ll be expected to demonstrate one of three manoeuvres:- Bay Park
- Parallel Parking
- Pulling up on the right
If your instructor thinks you need the practice, or wants to make sure you’ve mastered your manoeuvres, they might ask you to demonstrate all three in the mock driving test.1 in 3 learner drivers are asked to demonstrate an emergency stop, so be prepared!
The whole point of a mock driving test is to prepare you for your driving test, provide you with feedback and help you prepare for the driving test structure.
For your mock test, the results of whether you pass or fail doesn’t matter so don’t be disheartened if you didn’t do well this time around as it’s all good experience.
Will my Kinetic Instructor offer me a mock driving test?
We don’t officially include mock driving tests in our course package descriptions, but depending on the instructor, they can include them in their lesson plans if they believe you could benefit from the practice.
Whilst mock driving tests may not follow the exact structure of the practical test, we believe it is still great to prepare. Closer to your test date, your instructor will take you around the roads most likely to show up on your test route so that you’re not caught out by anything in your driving test.
Mock driving test tips
- Check out the feedback sheet
During the driving test, your examiner will be noting down any minor or major faults on a feedback sheet. Look at this sheet and you’ll be able to see your areas of improvements and book in the right practice. - Talk it through with your instructor
If your instructor offers you a mock driving test, make sure you ask them to walk you through your post-performance step-by-step. If you are unsure or don’t remember which part they’re talking about, just ask them to explain! - Don’t take it to heart
Your instructor will likely be far more critical than how your actual driving examiner will be on the day – it’s their job to make sure you’re doing your best. They wouldn’t let you go in for your driving test if they didn’t think you were ready. - A mock is still a mock
A mock test is a way to ease your nerves and get used to the structure of the test, so tr not to take it to heart if you didn’t do well. - There’s always next time
It’s not uncommon for learners to fail their driving test once. and even more than once before getting it right. If you fail your test, you can take a refresher course with Kinetic!