Mock driving test in Kirk Sandall

What the mock test is for

Lessons are about learning. A mock test is about measuring. Your instructor stops teaching for 40 minutes or so and simply watches, giving directions the way an examiner would. Afterwards you find out whether your driving would have passed, and if not, exactly why. The whole session runs to about two hours with the debrief.

Read the background on our main mock driving test page, and see our Doncaster driving test guide for what happens on the day itself.

The mock, minute by minute

• Before you set off. You read a number plate from 20 metres, then answer a tell me question about the car.
• The first ten minutes. Normal driving out of the estate onto Doncaster Road, with directions given in good time.
• The middle stretch. About 20 minutes of independent driving, following a sat nav or signs, perhaps along Barnby Dun Road into Long Sandall and round the Clay Lane and Shaw Lane roundabouts.
• On the move. A show me question, such as working the rear demister.
• Towards the end. One reversing exercise. That could mean parallel parking or using a bay. Alternatively you may be asked to pull up on the right and reverse. You might also be asked for an emergency stop.

DVSA keeps its test routes to itself, so we do not pretend to copy them. What we can do is use the same style of roads you will find near Shaw Wood Business Park, which is where Kirk Sandall pupils have a real head start.

Understanding the marking

The DVSA sheet sorts faults into three grades. A driving fault is minor on its own but can add up. A serious fault is something that could have been dangerous. A dangerous fault is where real danger occurred. You fail with more than 15 driving faults or with even one serious or dangerous fault.

Driving faults tend to cluster around particular skills. Typical examples near home might be slow observation when pulling out from Church Balk, or drifting between lanes on a busy roundabout. Seeing them written down makes the pattern obvious.

The written debrief

When the drive is over, your instructor talks you through every mark on the sheet and gives you a written debrief to take home. It shows where each fault happened and what to do differently. We then use the rest of the session to work on the most important points while they are fresh.

Nick likes to dig into why a hazard developed, which can help when a fault keeps repeating. Bring the debrief to your next few lessons so your instructor can track your progress. Ticking faults off one by one is a far better use of the final weeks than general practice.

Who should book one

A mock is most useful when your test is a few weeks off, giving you time to fix what it shows up. It is also valuable if you have failed before and want a clear plan, or if you are near the end of an intensive driving course in Kirk Sandall.

Learners nearby book mock driving tests in Barnby Dun and mock driving tests in Hatfield. For every lesson type in the suburb, return to the Kirk Sandall driving lessons page.

Mock driving tests in Kirk Sandall: your questions

How long before my test should I book a mock?

Two to four weeks before is a good window. That leaves time for a few lessons to fix anything the mock shows up, without being so early that your driving changes a lot before the real test. You can book a second mock closer to the date if you want.

What if I fail the mock test?

Then it has done its job. Far better to find the problems on a mock in Kirk Sandall than on the real test. Your debrief will show which faults to work on, and your instructor will plan the next lessons around them.

Is the mock marked as strictly as the real thing?

Yes. We use the DVSA marking sheet and the same standards an examiner would. There is no point in a generous mock, because the aim is to give you an honest picture of where your driving stands before test day.

Can I have a mock test in an automatic?

Yes. Mock tests are available in both manual and automatic cars. The format and marking are identical. Just tell us which you are learning in when you book, and we will arrange the right car and instructor.