To pass the driving test, the average learner requires 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of practice. However, because everyone is different, the best method to know when you’re ready is to ask your driving instructor; they’ll be able to tell you when you’re ready.

You can book another driving test straight away, but you will need to choose a date at least 10 working days after you fail. Use this time for extra lessons and to go over any test feedback with your instructor. If you need an earlier driving test, you can also get help with that here.

When preparing for your test, make sure you have your UK driving licence, theory test pass certificate and a car. Most people use their driving instructor’s car, or their own if it fits certain requirements.

Don’t be scared. Minor errors are recorded as driving faults, and even if you make 15 of them, you can still pass your driving test. If you make a major or dangerous mistake throughout the test, though, you may be disqualified.

During the test, the examiner will typically ask you to do one of the following three exercises:

• Parallel park at the side of the road
• Park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out or reversing and driving out (your examiner will tell you which to do)
• Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for two car lengths and re-join the traffic

On your driving test, you’ll have:

• An eyesight check
• ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• General driving ability
• Reversing your vehicle
• Roughly twenty minutes of independent driving
• A fifth of drivers taking their test will be chosen at random and will have to rely on road signs to get to their destination
• The majority of learner drivers, however, will be asked to follow directions using a sat nav