DT1 - Examiner Guidance - Chapter 1 Practical Driving Test

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Blaney

DT1 Examiner Guidance provides structured instruction for examiners covering the practical driving test and the extended test for cars. Chapter 1 outlines introduction topics, car driving test requirements, minimum test time, driving competence, completion of forms, and how faults are assessed and recorded. It also defines markings and faults on DL25, explains pre-test preparations, and details examiner procedures for meeting candidates, security-removed items, licences and insurance, and early safety check questions and vehicle controls.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages171

Reading Time7 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Chapter 1 The practical driving test and extended test for cars

1.01 Introduction

1.02 Car driving test requirements

1.03 Minimum test time requirements

1.04 General competence to drive

1.05 Completion of forms

1.06 Assessment and recording of faults

1.07 Definition of markings on forms DL25

1.08 Definition of faults

1.09 Preparations for the test

1.10 Name badges

1.11 Meeting the candidate

1.12 Removed for security reasons – examiners should refer to DVSA Net for access

1.13 Candidate’s driving licence and insurance

1.14 Northern Ireland licences

1.15 Under aged drivers

1.16 Undeclared disability

1.17 Removed for security reasons – examiners should refer to DVSA Net for access

1.18 Pre-brief

1.19 DL25 Further details

1.20 Eyesight

1.21 Vehicle safety check questions

1.22 Direction indicators and stop lamps

1.23 ‘L’(or `D’ plates in Wales)

1.24 Vehicle excise licence

1.25 Examiner’s door and seating

1.26 Seat belt, head restraint and mirror

1.27 Instructions to candidates

1.28 Start of drive

1.29 Starting the engine

1.30 Moving off

1.31 Emergency stop

1.32 Manoeuvring exercises

1.33 The reverse park exercise

1.34 The forward park exercise

1.35 The pull up on the right exercise

1.36 Reaction to traffic signs and signals

1.37 Methods of signalling

1.38 Road junctions

DT1 EXAMINER GUIDANCE Owner: Policy & CDE Directorate Technical [issues / update requests: technicalstandards@dvsa.gov.uk](issues / update requests: technicalstandards@dvsa.gov.uk) Contents Tip: for quick access, hold down Ctrl key and click required line with left mouse CHAPTER 1 The practical driving test and extended test for cars .............................................................. 12 1.01: Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 12 1.02: Car driving test requirements ......................................................................................................... 12 1.03: Minimum test time requirements .................................................................................................... 13 1.04: General competence to drive ......................................................................................................... 13 1.05: Completion of forms ....................................................................................................................... 14 1.06: Assessment and recording of faults................................................................................................ 14 1.07: Definition of markings on forms DL25 ............................................................................................. 14 1.08: Definition of faults........................................................................................................................... 17 1.09: Preparations for the test ................................................................................................................. 18 1.10: Name badges................................................................................................................................. 18 1.11: Meeting the candidate .................................................................................................................... 18 1.12: Removed for security reasons – examiners should refer to DVSA Net for access.......................... 19 1.13: Candidate’s driving licence and insurance...................................................................................... 19 1.14: Northern Ireland licences ............................................................................................................... 19 1.15: Under aged drivers.........................................................................................................................20 1.16: Undeclared disability ......................................................................................................................20 1.17: Removed for security reasons – examiners should refer to DVSA Net for access..........................20 1.18: Pre-brief .........................................................................................................................................20 1.19: DL25 Further details .......................................................................................................................20 1.20: Eyesight .........................................................................................................................................20 1.21: Vehicle safety check questions ......................................................................................................21 1.22: Direction indicators and stop lamps ................................................................................................22 1.23: ‘L’(or `D’ plates in Wales) ..............................................................................................................22 1.24: Vehicle excise licence ....................................................................................................................23 1.25: Examiner’s door and seating .................................................

FAQs

What does the guidance cover for examiners in Chapter 1?

Chapter 1 covers the practical driving test and extended test for cars, including requirements, test timing, competence, form completion, and how faults are assessed and recorded.

How are faults and DL25 markings handled?

The guidance includes definitions for markings on DL25 forms and definitions of faults, supporting consistent assessment and recording.

What preparatory and candidate-interaction steps are included?

It explains preparations for the test, name badges, meeting the candidate, pre-brief, and references to items removed for security reasons with direction to refer to DVSA Net for access.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Blaney