Information about the driving test - All the information below comes Directly from the DSA.

In the early days of motoring there were few rules or regulations. The first car and driver licences were introduced in Britain in 1903.

By the early 1930's motoring had become more popular and more affordable. However, rules and regulations were scant and drivers received only basic instructions before being allowed on the roads. Consequently, accidents and fatalities began to reach worrying proportions.

Early effords to improve road safety in Britain included:

• a test for disabled drivers was introduced in 1930
• the first vehicle examiners were appointed in 1930
• the minimum driving age of 17 and an urban speed limit of 30 mph were both set in 1930
• the first edition of the Highway Code  was published in 1931
• cats’ eyes were invented by Percy Shaw in 1934.

When announcing the introduction of the driving test Leslie Hore-Belisha said, ‘Driving is an art in which those who are engaged should, in the interest of their own and of the public’s safety, take the greatest pains to make themselves proficient.

Decades later this still holds true and is summed up in the Driving Standards Agency’s maxim, ‘Safe driving for life’.

DSA Driving test fees. (Follow this link. Will open in a new Window.)

Documents required when you report for your driving test.

Reporting for your practical test

At the driving test centre

You must bring the following items with you to your driving test. If you do not, we may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee.

• an appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L- plates  that is suitable for the purpose of the test
• the appropriate theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you are not exempt
• your appointment letter
• both parts of your photo card licence. If you do not take both parts of your licence your test will not take place and you will lose your fee. If you misplace your licence, you must apply for a replacement from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which could take up to 15 days. If this happens, you may have to rearrange your test
• if you have an old style paper licence, from 1 November 2005 you must bring your paper licence and a valid passport
• for a motorcycle test please remember to take your compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate as well.

Remember:

• no licence
• no photo
• no test, and
• you will lose your fee!

If you are a provisional licence holder taking a practical motorcycle test you must also remember to bring your CBT certificate to the test centre.