The Practical Driving Test Explained Simply
For many learner drivers, the practical driving test is the final major step on the way to obtaining a driving licence. The purpose of this test is to demonstrate that you can operate a vehicle safely, responsibly, and independently in road traffic. Before you are registered for the practical driving test, your driving instructor and the driving school will decide together whether you are sufficiently prepared. The goal is not to drive perfectly, but to be able to participate in road traffic safely and responsibly.
Requirements for the Practical Driving Test
Before the practical driving test can take place, certain requirements must be met.
These usually include:
• Passing the theory test
• Completion of the required special driving lessons
• A sufficient level of training
• An approved driving licence application
Only when these requirements have been met can the driving school officially register you for the practical driving test.
Important Documents for Test Day
Before your practical driving test, you should make sure to check all required documents once again.
These include:
• Identity card or passport
• Residence permit or residence authorisation
• Existing driving licence
• Any required visual aid noted on your licence Your visual aid is particularly important.
If your driving licence states that you must wear glasses or contact lenses, they must be worn during your training and, of course, during the driving test. Driving tests are regularly cancelled because learner drivers forget their glasses or because their documents have expired. If any of these documents are missing or invalid, the practical driving test cannot take place.
What Happens During the Driving Test?
The practical driving test is generally very similar to your regular driving lessons.
For this reason, you should try not to be too afraid of the test.
You will already be familiar with many of the situations from your training.
The biggest difference is usually this:
During the test, it is generally the examiner who gives the directions, rather than your driving instructor.
However, you will already know these instructions from your driving lessons.
For example:
• 'Turn right at the next junction.'
• 'Please follow the priority road.'
• 'Please turn around where it is safe and suitable to do so.'
You can learn the most common driving instructions here in your own language!
During the drive, the examiner will normally not ask any theory questions. Your full attention should be focused on driving. It is also common for the driving instructor and examiner to talk to each other during the test. This is completely normal and often helps create a more relaxed atmosphere in the vehicle. If you find it distracting, you are of course welcome to say so.
Examiner's Notes
During the driving test, the examiner may take notes on a tablet or on the examination form. This is completely normal. The notes may include both positive observations as well as mistakes or areas of uncertainty. It is important to remember: You should not let this make you nervous. Just because the examiner writes something down does not automatically mean that the test is over or that you have failed. Try to stay calm and continue focusing on your driving.
Test Areas and Test Routes
Many learner drivers talk about the so-called 'test area' before their practical driving test. Strictly speaking, however, there are no fixed or officially prescribed test routes.
The examiner generally decides where the test will take place.
This means:
There are no specific roads or mandatory routes that need to be memorised.
The driving test is intended to include different types of traffic environments.
These normally include:
• Urban traffic • Rural roads
• Motorways or expressways In large cities, a traditional rural road is not always easily accessible. Nevertheless, examiners usually try to include as many different traffic situations as possible in the test.
Of course, over time, each examiner tends to use certain routes or areas more frequently. One reason for this is that another driving test is often scheduled immediately after yours, and the official test duration must be observed. For this reason, you can generally assume that you will not travel an unlimited distance away from the starting point during the test. After all, the vehicle must return to the test centre within the allotted test time. Even so, you should not focus too much on individual roads or specific intersections. After all, a driving licence is intended to prove that you can drive safely anywhere in the future — not just within a particular test area.
When a Driving Test Has to Be Terminated
If a serious mistake or a dangerous situation occurs during the driving test, the test will often be terminated immediately. In most cases, the examiner will inform the learner driver straight away. Afterwards, the driving instructor will often drive the examiner back to the starting point. There are also situations where the driving test is completed as normal, even though several minor mistakes or uncertainties have already been observed. A single minor mistake will often not result in a failed test. However, if several uncertainties or observation errors accumulate, this may still lead to an unsuccessful result at the end of the test.
Practical Driving Test for Trucks and Buses
For Categories C, CE, D and DE, the practical driving test consists of two parts.
Part 1: Pre-Trip Inspection (Category C / D)
In the first part of the Category C or D test, you must demonstrate that you know and can explain important safety-related components of the vehicle.
This is the often 'feared' safety check - called "Abfahrtkontrolle".
These include, for example:
• Lighting systems
• Tyres • Braking system
• Fluids
• Load securing
• Safety checks
But don't worry – this website and your driving instructor will prepare you well for it!
Part 1: Coupling and Uncoupling (Category CE / DE)
In the first part of the Category CE or DE test, you must demonstrate that you can:
• Couple and uncouple a trailer
• Carry out safety checks before departure
Part 2: Practical Driving Test
The second part consists of driving in normal road traffic. For truck and bus licences, basic driving manoeuvres are also part of the test.
For example:
• Reversing
• Manoeuvring
• Reversing around corners
• Safe handling of large vehicles
Duration of the Driving Test
The practical driving test for Category B currently lasts approximately 55 minutes in total.
Of this time:
• Approximately 45 minutes are spent driving in traffic
• The remaining time is used for the introduction and vehicle safety check
The practical driving test for Categories C and D currently lasts approximately 85 minutes in total.
Of this time:
• Approximately 60 minutes are spent driving in traffic
• The remaining time is used for:
• Introduction
• Vehicle safety check
• Pre-trip inspection
• Basic driving manoeuvres
• Presentation of required documents
• Final discussion
Separate Assessment of the Test Components
The two parts of the test are assessed separately. This means: It is possible, for example, to pass the pre-trip inspection but fail the driving section — or vice versa. In this case, you will not receive your driving licence on that day. After a waiting period, usually around two weeks, only the part of the test that was not passed must be repeated. The practical driving test is considered passed only when both parts have been successfully completed.
Learning the vehicle safety check
The vehicle safety check, called "Abfahrtkontrolle" is taught differently depending on the driving school. Some driving instructors explain the content during regular driving lessons. Other driving schools offer additional training days or group training sessions for this purpose. The pre-trip inspection is very comprehensive. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you also study the material independently at home and review it regularly. The examination consists of a total of ten cards. On the test day, the learner driver randomly draws one of these cards and, of course, does not know in advance which card will be selected. For this reason, it is important to prepare for all topics. You will also find a comprehensive section on our website dedicated to the pre-trip inspection, including learning materials and content in several languages.
Tests for Trailer Categories BE, CE and DE
For the trailer categories BE, CE and DE, there is usually no separate pre-trip inspection.
Instead, the learner driver must demonstrate that they can safely couple and uncouple a trailer.
This part of the test is often referred to as 'Coupling and Uncoupling'.
Like the Category C or D test, this examination is divided into two parts:
• Coupling and uncoupling
• Practical driving test, including reversing manoeuvres
Both parts are assessed separately. This means that it is possible, for example, to pass the driving test but fail the coupling and uncoupling section — or vice versa. In this case, only the part that was not passed must be repeated at a later date. As a rule, the test for the basic licence category is taken first, for example Category C or D. A few days or weeks later, the test for the trailer category CE or DE usually follows. In principle, both tests could take place on the same day. However, if the first test is not passed, the trailer-category test cannot be carried out on that day. Nevertheless, the scheduled examination time must still be paid for.
If You Do Not Pass the Practical Driving Test
If you do not pass the practical driving test, it is of course disappointing.
However, it happens more often than many people think.
After an unsuccessful test, there is a waiting period of two weeks.
During this time, you can:
• Take additional driving lessons
• Discuss mistakes that were made
• Practise situations that still feel uncertain
• Plan a new test date
In principle, the practical driving test can be repeated as many times as necessary. However, it is important to know that: Once passed, the theory test remains valid for only 12 months. The practical driving test must also be passed within this period. If the practical driving test is not successfully completed within this time limit, the theory test must be taken again.
General Information About the Practical Driving Test
Many learner drivers feel very anxious about this day.
However, it is important to remember:
Examiners have often been conducting practical driving tests every day for many years.
They know very well that learner drivers are nervous and excited.
A certain amount of nervousness is therefore completely normal. Even so, it helps to arrive at the test as calm, focused, and confident as possible. Examiners and Driving Instructors Share the Same Goal
Many learner drivers believe that examiners are actively looking for mistakes. In reality, everyone involved wants you to pass the test successfully. Examiners are generally pleased whenever they are able to hand over a driving licence or test certificate to a successful candidate. In the end, it is always the overall impression of the driving test that matters. Small uncertainties or individual mistakes do not automatically lead to a failed test. The test only has to be terminated if dangerous situations arise or if overall road safety can no longer be ensured.
What to Wear for the Driving Test
Many learner drivers wonder what they should wear for the test. In general, all you need is:
• Clean clothing
• Neat clothing
• Appropriate clothing
You do not need to dress differently or appear especially formal. The driving test is not about fashion or appearance — it is about demonstrating that you can drive safely.
Approaching the Test with the Right Mindset
Many examiners appreciate learner drivers who show:
• That they are willing to face the test
• That they are well prepared
• That they are ready to take responsibility
Most importantly:
• Stay calm
• Drive with concentration
• Trust the training you have received
If you are well prepared and try to view the test as just another driving lesson, there is often nothing standing in the way of a successful result.
The Practical Driving Test Explained Simply
In this video, we explain the process of the practical driving test and what you can expect on test day.