The driving test

This section has hints and tips about your practical test and how to get the best possible chance of a pass.
As you will discover from these pages (hopefully not through personal experience!) the most common reason that people fail the test is that they are not fully prepared - they attempt the test before they are ready.

Obviously, you want to pass your driving test as soon as you can and to have all the freedom a driving licence will bring you, but you must remember that the test is designed to assess whether you are safe.
There's not a lot of point passing the test and then crashing in your first year on the road, or losing your licence again after an accident! If you are unlucky and you fail the test it will be because the examiner considers that you would pose a risk to yourself or to others if you were to drive alone.

Of course the good news is that you can take the test as many times as you like, but remember, each test costs time and money and so take your instructor's advice about when to apply.

If you feel that you are ready and your instructor disagrees, no problem, simply get an assessment with another instructor as we have 2 instructors either will be happy to give a mock test and full debrief. Remember, however, your instructor knows the standard required to pass and to drive safely – if you are not ready and you fail, as mentioned above, it could cost quite a lot of money in lesson time and test fees, plus the disappointment. But there is potentially a worse outcome... If you are not ready and by some fluke you manage to pass you will have a high accident risk when you are driving alone – this could end up costing you far more than just money.

The Practical test

• Remember that you require your Photo and paper counterpart provisional license for your driving test.

Making sure that you are ready...

If/when you have worked through the On Fire For Driving programme and followed your instructor's advice with regard to the timing of your test you will possess all the knowledge and skill required to pass. The final step will be to ensure you can use that knowledge and skill under driving test conditions.
To make sure that you can reach the required standard of driving under test conditions ask your instructor to give you a mock test (or series of mock tests). The mock test should be as near as possible to the real thing, in the same area and at the same time of day if possible.
Unlike a normal driving lesson, a mock test is completed without interruption, this means that if you make mistakes (which everyone does!) your instructor will not tell you about them until the end of the session. This approach can make some people feel nervous, effectively driving 'alone' for 40 or 50 minutes - but this is great preparation for the test and beyond.
Sometimes drivers think that they have failed the test after a minor mistake which would not fail them - if they are not able to cope with the feelings of "Am I doing OK?" they can end up doing something silly that would definitely result in a fail. Mock tests will help you to 'keep your nerve' even if you feel uncertain. This is also a benefit after you pass - sooner or later you will be driving in new places or possibly feel nervous on your first motorway trip, or when you get lost... Being able to stay calm in all driving situations is an essential skill for all drivers.

During your mock Doug or John like the driving test examiner, wants to see your normal driving skills. Putting on a special performance would defeat the object of a test designed to ensure that your everyday driving standard is safe.

You will be given clear and concise instructions to move off, turn left or right, stop, perform one of the set manoeuvres and drive without direction for a section of the test (independent drive). Remember the main purpose of a mock test is to help to prepare you for the real thing, not to check if you are ready for test; you should be able to drive for about forty-five minutes without help and without making a serious* error before you do your full mock test.

*A serious 'driver error' is one that could lead to an accident, either in a different set of circumstances or if the examiner or other road user had not taken action to avoid the danger. If you can't drive without making serious errors, you will have little or no chance of passing the test.

It's no use relying on good luck alone!

Applying for your driving test

The easiest way to book your test is to do it online - if you are unable to do this for any reason, Talk to myself or Doug and we will arrange it for you.

• Book online or get full details of how to apply for a driving test by clicking here.
• Incase the link above doesnt work just click below or copy and paste into your browser
• https://www.gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test

• Important: The link above is to the official DSA Booking Service - there are other companies that provide a booking service but if you use these you may end up paying more for the test.

• Tests can also be booked by phone on 0300 200 1122 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Choose Option 2

Tests are generally done on weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm. However, in some areas it is possible to book a test for weekends or in the evening on weekdays however both Irvine and Ayr Test centres are only available monday to friday.

If you wish to cancel your test appointment after it has been booked you can do so without losing your fee as long as you give three working days' notice (excluding bank holidays and weekends).

My Twitter Feed (On Fire For Driving)

Tweets by @JohnRyanDriving

Show me tell me Questions Citroen DS3 On Fire For Driving

How to drive to test standard (Based in Irvine) Serving Ayrshire!


I have uploaded a video to You tube http://youtu.be/ljsQ5ev2jhM

In this video we have made it as close to a practical driving test as possible.  

Many thanks 
John 

Happy viewing 

Irvine's Driving Test Routes

•    Turn right when leaving DTC

•    Park up on the left before the roundabout sign.

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Kilmarnock

•    Follow road for Dreghorn

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Turn right into Greenwood Road

•    Turn right into Ford Avenue

•    EOR turn left into Holmes Avenue

•    Perform a HILL START

•    Turn 2nd left into Greenwood Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Park up for hill start

•    Traffic lights turn right into Main Street

•    At roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Springside)

•    At opposite side of Springside turn right into Greenside Avenue

•    Turn right into Craig View

•    Perform a HILL START

•    Turn next left into Greenside Avenue

•    EOR turn left into Kilmarnock Road

•    Turn 3rd right into Station Road

•    EOR turn right into Overtoun Road

•    EOR turn right into Main Street

•    At roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Dreghorn)

•    At traffic lights turn left into Dundonald Road

•    At Drybridge turn right onto Shewalton Road

•    At roundabout turn right 3rd exit onto Long Drive (Kilmarnock)

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn 1st left into DTC

•    Perform REVERSE BAY PARK

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Leave the DTC and turn right onto Riverside Way

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Kilmarnock

•    Follow road for Dreghorn

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Turn right into Greenwood Road

•    Turn 1st left onto Mount View

•    Turn 1st right

•    Perform a PARALLEL REVERSE PARK

•    At EOR turn right onto Milton Road

•    At EOR turn right onto Greenwood Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Park up for hill start

•    Traffic lights turn right into Main Street

•    At roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Springside)

•    At opposite side of Springside turn right into Greenside Avenue

•    Turn right into Craig View

•    Perform a HILL START

•    Turn next left into Greenside Avenue

•    EOR turn left into Kilmarnock Road

•    Turn 3rd right into Station Road

•    EOR turn right into Overtoun Road

•    EOR turn right into Main Street

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Irvine)

•    At roundabout turn right 4th exit (Dundonald)

•    EOR turn left

•    At Drybridge turn right into Shewalton Road

•    At roundabout turn right onto Long Drive

•    At roundabout turn left onto Riverside Way

•    Turn left into DTC

•    Drive forward into an available space

•    Turn right when leaving DTC

•    Park up at roundabout sign

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Kilmarnock

•    Follow road for Dreghorn

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Turn right into Greenwood Road

•    Turn right into Ford Avenue

•    EOR turn left into Holmes Avenue

•    EOR turn 2nd left into Greenwood Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Park up for hill start

•    Traffic lights turn right into Main Street

•    At 2 x roundabouts turn left 1st exit (Bourtreehill)

•    Take 1st road on right (Pierceton)

•    Countinue along rural road and at EOR turn left onto Middleton Road

•    At Stanecastle Roundabout follow road ahead 3rd exit (Town Centre)

•    Turn 1st left onto Clark Drive

•    At EOR turn left onto Thornhouse Avenue

•    At EOR turn right onto Mill Road

•    At EOR turn left onto Townhead

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit onto Annick Road

•    Turn 1st right onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Turn right into DTC

•    Perform REVERSE BAY PARK

•    Turn right when leaving DTC

•    Park up at roundabout sign

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Kilmarnock

•    Follow road for Dreghorn

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Turn 1st right into Greenwood Road

•    Turn 1st left onto Mount View

•    Turn 1st right

•    Perform a PARALLEL REVERSE PARK

•    At EOR turn right onto Milton Road

•    At EOR turn right onto Greenwood Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn right into Dundonald Road

•    Park up for hill start

•    Traffic lights turn right into Main Street

•    At 2 x roundabouts turn left 1st exit (Bourtreehill)

•    Continue along Towerlands Road

•    At roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Stanecastle Roundabout)

•    At Stanecastle Roundabout take 2nd exit (Town Centre)

•    Turn 1st right onto Stewart Drive

•    EOR turn left onto Caldon Road

•    EOR turn left onto East Road

•    Ahead a 2 x traffic lights

•    At mini roundabout turn left 1st exit onto Annick Road

•    At Annick roundabout follow road ahead 1st exit (Newmoor)

•    Turn 1st right onto Riverside Way

•    Turn right into DTC

•    Drive forward into an available space

•    Turn right when leaving DTC onto Riverside Way

•    Park up at roundabout sign

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Barassie

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Ahead at traffic lights

•    Follow road round to the left onto North Shore Road

•    Turn left onto Barassie Street (just before the roundabout)

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Portland Street

•    Ahead at traffic lights

•    Turn 1st left onto Church Street

•    Turn 2nd left onto St Meddans Street

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    At the traffic lights turn right onto Dundonald Road

•    At the traffic lights turn left onto Central Avenue

•    Ahead at mini roundabout onto Central Avenue

•    EOR turn left onto North Drive

•    Turn 1st right onto Deveron Road

•    Perform a LEFT REVERSE into Teviot Place

•    EOR turn left back onto Deveron Road

•    At the traffic lights turn right onto Kilmarnock Road

•    EOR turn left (Dundonald)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Irvine)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Gailes)

•    At the roundabout turn right 3rd exit

•    At the roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Meadowhead)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Kilmarnock) onto Long Drive

•    At the Oldhall roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    Pull up in a layby

•    At the Shewalton roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At the Riverside roundabout turn left 1st exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn 1st left into DTC

•    Perform REVERSE BAY PARK

•    Perform a REVERSE BAY PARK

•    Turn right when leaving DTC onto Riverside Way

•    Park up at roundabout sign

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow road for Ayr

•    Follow road for Barassie

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At traffic lights turn left onto Deveron Road

•    EOR turn left onto North Drive

•    Perform a TURN IN THE ROAD

•    Turn 1st left onto Afton Gardens / Central Avenue

•    Ahead at mini roundabout

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Dundonald Road

•    Turn 3rd right onto Donald Crescent

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn left onto Wallacefield Road

•    EOR turn left onto Logan Drive

•    Ahead at traffic lights onto St Meddans Street

•    Ahead at crossroads

•    At crossroads turn right onto South Beach

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Portland Street (Irvine)

•    Ahead at traffic lights

•    At traffic lights turn left onto Barassie Street

•    EOR turn right onto North Shore Road

•    Ahead at traffic lights x 2

•    EOR turn left (Dundonald)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Irvine)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Gailes)

•    At the roundabout turn right 3rd exit

•    At the roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Meadowhead)

•    At the roundabout turn left 1st exit (Kilmarnock) onto Long Drive

•    At the Oldhall roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    Pull up in a layby

•    At the Shewalton roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At the Riverside roundabout turn left 1st exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn 1st left into DTC

•    Drive forward into an available space

Irvine Test Route 2C – Drybridge, Dundonald, Loans, Troon

•    Turn right when leaving DTC onto Riverside Way

•    At roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Ayr) onto Long Drive

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Oldhall East) onto Shewalton Road

•    EOR turn right onto Main Street

•    EOR (Stop sign) turn right then left (Dundonald) onto Drybridge Road

•    Pull up for an ANGLED START

•    Pull up for a HILL START

•    At mini roundabout turn right 2nd exit onto Old Loans Road

•    Continue along Old Loans Road until you reach Loans

•    Ahead at mini roundabout 2nd exit onto Dundonald Road

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Central Avenue

•    Ahead at mini roundabout

•    EOR turn right onto North Drive

•    Perform a TURN IN THE ROAD

•    Turn 1st right onto Deveron Road

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow signs for Irvine

•    Follow signs for Meadowhead

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

•    Follow signs for Riverside

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At roundabout ahead 1st exit (Riverside)

•    At Riverside roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn 1st left into DTC

•    Drive forward into an available space

Irvine Test Route 3A – Golffields Road, Steward Drive, Meadowhead

Irvine Test Route 3B – Stewart Drive, Stanecastle, Newmoor

•    Leave DTC and turn left onto Riverside Way

•    Park up before EOR and perform HILL START

•    EOR turn left onto Annick Road

•    At Annick roundabout turn right 2nd exit

•    Turn 1st left onto Golffields Road

•    Follow road round to the left onto Milgarholm Road

•    Perform a LEFT REVERSE into 1st junction on left

•    EOR turn right back onto Milgarholm Road

•    Follow road round to the right onto Golffields Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn left onto Annick Road

•    Turn 2nd right onto East Road

•    Turn 1st right onto Ballot Road

•    EOR turn left then EOR right onto Bank Street

•    Turn 2nd left onto Stewart Drive

•    EOR turn right onto Caldon Road

•    EOR turn left onto Livingstone Terrace

•    EOR turn left onto Golf Road

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR right onto Fleming Terrace

•    EOR left onto Kilwinning Road

•    Follow signs for Ayr

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At Milgarholm roundabout turn right 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At Warrix Interchange roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    Take next slip road

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Newmoor Roundabout)

•    At Newmoor roundabout turn left 1st exit (Town Centre)

•    Turn 1st left onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Turn right into DTC

•    Drive forward into a parking bay

•    Leave DTC and turn left onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Park up before EOR and perform HILL START

•    EOR turn left onto Annick Road

•    At Annick roundabout turn right 2nd exit

•    At mini roundabout turn right 2nd exit onto East Road

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Bank Street

•    Turn 3rd left onto Stewart Drive

•    Turn 1st right (on bend)

•    Perform a TURN IN THE ROAD

•    EOR right back onto Stewart Drive

•    EOR turn left onto Caldon Road

•    Turn 1st right onto Oakland Avenue

•    EOR turn right onto Irvine Mains Crescent

•    Turn 2nd left onto Beaton Terrace

•    EOR turn right onto Fleming Terrace

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR right onto Kilwinning Road

•    Follow signs for Ayr

•    Follow signs for Stanecastle Roundabout

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At Towerlands roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Newmoor roundabout)

•    At Newmoor roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Town Centre)

•    Turn 1st left onto Riverside Way

•    Turn right into DTC

•    Drive forward into a parking bay

•    Leave DTC and turn right onto Riverside Way

•    Park up at roundabout sign

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow signs for Ayr

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

•    Follow signs for Irvine Town Centre

•    Follow signs for High Street / Bridgegate

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Turn 1st left onto Golffields Road

•    Perform a TURN IN THE ROAD

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn left onto Townhead

•    Turn 2nd right onto East Road

•    Turn 1st right onto Ballot Road

•    EOR turn right onto Thornhouse Avenue

•    Turn 3rd left onto Clark Drive

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    EOR turn right onto Bank Street

•    Turn 1st left onto Stewart Drive

•    EOR turn right onto Caldon Road

•    EOR turn left onto Livingstone Terrace

•    EOR turn left onto Golf Place

•    EOR right onto Fleming Terrace

•    EOR left onto Kilwinning Road

•    Continue ahead at traffic lights

•    At mini roundabout turn left 1st exit (Stanecastle Roundabout)

•    Continue ahead at 2 x traffic lights

•    At mini roundabout turn left 1st exit onto High Street

•    At Annick Roundabout turn left 1st exit (Newmoor Roundabout)

•    Turn 1st right onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Drive forward into a parking bay

•    Perform a BAY REVERSE PARK

•    Leave DTC and turn right onto Riverside Way

•    At Riverside roundabout turn left 1st exit (Town Centre)

•    Ahead at 2 x roundabouts (Town Centre)

•    At Newmoor roundabout turn left 1st exit (Newmoor South)

•    At Annick roundabout turn right 2nd exit

•    Turn 2nd right onto Mill Road

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    Turn 1st left onto Thornhouse Avenue

•    EOR turn right onto Bank Street

•    Turn 1st left onto Woodlands Avenue

•    EOR turn left onto Quarry Road

•    Turn 1st right onto Old Carey Road

•    Turn 1st left onto James Crescent

•    Turn 1st right onto James Crescent

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR left onto Kilwinning Road

•    Follow signs for Ayr

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At Sainsbury’s roundabout follow road ahead 2nd exit

•    At mini roundabout turn right 2nd exit

•    Follow the road over the bridge and to the right onto Portland Road

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    At Portland roundabout turn left 1st exit onto Marine Drive

•    At Three Stanes roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Ayr)

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Kilwinning)

•    Take next slip road (Kilmarnock)

•    At Warrix Interchange roundabout turn left 1st exit (Irvine Town Centre)

•    At roundabout turn right 2nd exit (High Street)

•    At Annick roundabout turn right 2nd exit (Newmoor Roundabout)

•    Turn 1st right onto Riverside Way

•    Turn right into DTC

•    Drive forward into a parking bay

•    Perform BAY REVERSE PARK

•    Leave DTC and turn left onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Park up before EOR and perform HILL START

•    EOR turn left onto Annick Road

•    At Annick roundabout turn left 1st exit (Harbourside)

•    At roundabout turn right 2nd exit (Harbourside)

•    At roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Kilwinning)

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    Follow signs for Kilwinning

•    Follow signs for Ayr

•    Follow signs for Stanecastle

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At Towerlands roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Newmoor Roundabout)

•    At Newmoor roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Town Centre)

•    At Annick Roundabout turn left 1st exit (Harbourside)

•    At Milgarholm roundabout turn left 1st exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At Warrix Interchange roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Prestwick Airport)

•    Take next slip road

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Meadowhead)

•    At Oldhall roundabout turn left 1st exit (Kilmarnock)

•    Park in a layby

•    At Shewalton roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At Riverside roundabout left 1st exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn left into DTC

•    Drive forward into a parking bay

•    Leave DTC and turn left onto Riverside Way

•    Perform an EMERGENCY STOP

•    Park up before EOR and perform HILL START

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    EOR turn left onto Annick Road

•    Follow signs for Harbourside

•    Follow signs for Kilwinning

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At the traffic lights at BP Garaage turn right onto Fleming Terrace

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    Turn 1st left onto Beaton Terrace

•    Turn 1st right onto Seaton Terrace

•    Follow the road round to the right onto Irvine Mains Crescent

•    Turn 1st left onto Oaklands Avenue

•    EOR turn right onto Caldon Road

•    Turn 1st left onto Woodlands Avenue

•    EOR turn left onto Bank Street

•    At the roundabout ahead 4th exit (Stewarton)

•    Turn 4th right (after sign for Burnbrae Drive)

•    Continue beyond Pierceton Row

•    EOR turn left onto Towerlands Road

•    At roundabout turn right 1st exit (Dreghorn)

•    At roundabout ahead 2nd exit (Kilmarnock)

•    At Corsehill Mount roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Ayr)

•    Take next slip road (Newmoor Roundabout)

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Riverside)

•    At Riverside roundabout right 3rd exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn left into DTC

•    Perform REVERSE BAY PARK

Irvine Test Route 4C – A76, Kilwinning, A76

•    Leave DTC and turn right onto Riverside Way

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Greenock A78)

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Greenock A78)

•    At Warrix Interchange turn right 3rd exit (Kilwinning)

•    Leave A78 at next turnoff (Town Centre)

•    At roundabout turn left 1st exit (Irvine)

•    At roundabout turn right 4th exit (Kiwinning) onto Irvine Road

•    Continue along Irvine Road into Kilwinning

•    After bridge turn right onto Garnock View

•    At crossroads turn right onto Waterside Road

•    Perform a TURN IN THE ROAD

•    Turn 1st right onto Howden Avenue

•    Perform an ANGLED START

•    Continue ahead at crossroads

•    Perform a HILL START

•    Continue ahead at crossroads

•    At EOR turn left then left again onto Baird Avenue

•    Continue ahead at crossroads onto Old Woodwynd Road

•    At traffic lights turn left onto Dalry Road

•    At traffic lights turn right onto Byres Road (Ayr)

•    After railway bridge turn left onto Pennyburn Road

•    Pull up on the left

START OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At mini roundabout turn left 1st exit

•    Follow signs for Ayr

•    Follow signs for Kilmarnock

•    Follow signs for Riverside

END OF INDEPENDENT DRIVE

•    At roundabout follow road ahead 1st exit (Riverside) onto Long Drive

•    At Riverside Roundabout turn right 3rd exit (Riverside Way)

•    Turn left into DTC

•    Drive forward into a parking bay