Confidence In Driving
A driving
test (also known as a driving exam, driver's test, or road
test) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor
vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is a requirement to pass in
order to obtain a drivers license. A driving test generally consists of
one or two parts: the practical test, called a road test, used to assess
a person's driving ability under normal operating conditions, and/or a
written or oral test (theory test) to confirm a person's knowledge of
driving and relevant rules and laws.
The world's
first mandatory national driver's test was introduced in France in
1899.
To make the
test fair, written driving tests are normally standardized tests, meaning
that everyone takes the same test under the same conditions. In many places the
test can be done by computer, and typically consists of questions related to
road signs and traffic laws of the respective country, but may also include
questions related to road safety best practices or technical questions regarding
vehicle operation and maintenance. In many countries passing a written driving
test is required for admission to the practical test.
Depending on
the country and on the driver's license category, the practical test includes
driving on the public, open road as well as different maneuverability test,
which are usually carried out in a controlled environment such
as:
driving back
and forth through a set of traffic cones
reversing
around a corner or into a parking space, with or without a trailer or
semi-trailer
emergency
stops or evasive maneuvers
coupling and
de-coupling of a trailer to a truck, which includes establishing the
electrical and compressed-air connections and checking
them
maintaining
a motorcyce stable at low speed
In most
European Union member countries, the road test may be taken on either a manual
or an automatic vehicle, however, when using an automatic vehicle, the driver's
license will be restricted to such vehicles.
Dependent on
the country, other tests may be required, such as an eyesight, psychological or
a reaction test. These may be part of the theory test or the practical test or
may be separate tests, in which case they are usually a prerequisite for
admission to the practical test. The United Kingdom and some other countries use
a Hazard Perception Test as part of the theory test, in which candidates are
shown multiple short video clips of driving scenarios and must respond to any
emerging hazards.
In the
United States, most Department of Motor Vehicles offices do not provide vehicles
for the road test and so the person taking the test must provide their own
vehicle. This is considered useful because the vehicle they use for the test is
typically the same vehicle they have used to practice driving. Before they can
use the vehicle for the test, they must show proof of liability insurance to the
DMV for the particular vehicle to avoid liability from a collision that could
occur during the test.
test (also known as a driving exam, driver's test, or road
test) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor
vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is a requirement to pass in
order to obtain a drivers license. A driving test generally consists of
one or two parts: the practical test, called a road test, used to assess
a person's driving ability under normal operating conditions, and/or a
written or oral test (theory test) to confirm a person's knowledge of
driving and relevant rules and laws.
The world's
first mandatory national driver's test was introduced in France in
1899.
To make the
test fair, written driving tests are normally standardized tests, meaning
that everyone takes the same test under the same conditions. In many places the
test can be done by computer, and typically consists of questions related to
road signs and traffic laws of the respective country, but may also include
questions related to road safety best practices or technical questions regarding
vehicle operation and maintenance. In many countries passing a written driving
test is required for admission to the practical test.
Depending on
the country and on the driver's license category, the practical test includes
driving on the public, open road as well as different maneuverability test,
which are usually carried out in a controlled environment such
as:
driving back
and forth through a set of traffic cones
reversing
around a corner or into a parking space, with or without a trailer or
semi-trailer
emergency
stops or evasive maneuvers
coupling and
de-coupling of a trailer to a truck, which includes establishing the
electrical and compressed-air connections and checking
them
maintaining
a motorcyce stable at low speed
In most
European Union member countries, the road test may be taken on either a manual
or an automatic vehicle, however, when using an automatic vehicle, the driver's
license will be restricted to such vehicles.
Dependent on
the country, other tests may be required, such as an eyesight, psychological or
a reaction test. These may be part of the theory test or the practical test or
may be separate tests, in which case they are usually a prerequisite for
admission to the practical test. The United Kingdom and some other countries use
a Hazard Perception Test as part of the theory test, in which candidates are
shown multiple short video clips of driving scenarios and must respond to any
emerging hazards.
In the
United States, most Department of Motor Vehicles offices do not provide vehicles
for the road test and so the person taking the test must provide their own
vehicle. This is considered useful because the vehicle they use for the test is
typically the same vehicle they have used to practice driving. Before they can
use the vehicle for the test, they must show proof of liability insurance to the
DMV for the particular vehicle to avoid liability from a collision that could
occur during the test.