If you’re getting ready for your practical driving test, you’re probably doing as much research as possible to make sure you are as prepared as possible for the day of your test. You may have come across some information with regards to what to expect on the day, and you may have also seen that your driving instructor can accompany you on your driving test if you wish. This may then lead you to wonder ‘can I take my partner or friend with me on my driving test?’.
Bringing a friend/relative to your driving test
Just as you can bring your driving instructor with you on your test, you can also alternatively have a friend or relative sit in the back during your driving test. At the beginning of your driving test, the examiner will ask you if you would like to have someone accompany you during the driving test, this can either be your instructor or a friend/family member. As long as the car you’re using for your test is insured correctly, which under most learner driver policies it should be, it is not an issue to have someone accompany you for your driving test.
It is also possible to have a friend or relative sit in the back during your driving lessons, as long as your driving instructor is comfortable with this. There should also be some reasonable benefit to yourself for your instructor to allow this.
What are the benefits of having a friend or relative with me on my driving test?
Some people may find having a familiar face with them during their driving test reassuring and comforting, especially if this person has been sitting with you during your driving lessons in London, for example. Although the person with you is not allowed to speak throughout the test, just their presence can act as moral support.
Bringing someone with you on your driving test can also act as an excellent form of motivation. Presumably, whoever you have chosen to bring with you is someone close and important to you. Therefore, you may feel like you don’t want to let them down, and this can encourage you to push yourself to do the best you possibly can.
Another benefit of bringing a friend/relative with you on your driving test is they can take notes during your test. If you, unfortunately, fail your test, they will be able to provide you with some additional feedback which will help you moving forward.
You can no longer have a translator sitting in on your driving test and translating during your test. This, therefore, would not be recommended for driving lessons as it is bad practice and could lead to confusion. If English isn’t your first language, it may benefit you to find an instructor that speaks your language. foreign language speaking instructors.
What are the negatives of bringing someone with me for my driving test?
Having someone accompany you for your driving test has many positives and can seem appealing. However, there are a few things to consider before making your decision.
You may feel the pressure of letting someone you care about down. This added pressure on top of driving test nerves can cause you to make silly mistakes you could have otherwise avoided. If you think that having someone with you during your driving test will add unnecessary pressure, you should keep it as just you and your examiner.
Having a passenger in the backseat may also be an off-putting presence. Unless you have had someone with you during your driving lessons sitting in the backseat, you won’t have ever driven with a passenger in the backseat. You may find it off-putting as you won’t be used to having someone sitting in the back so if you do think you want to bring someone along with you during your test, we recommend having them with you for a few lessons prior to your test.
Rules and guidelines surrounding having someone sit in during your driving test
If you do decide to have someone sit with you for your driving test, there are strict guidelines this person must follow. These guidelines are as follows:
- Must avoid moving their head which could encourage/prompt the pupil taking the test to check their mirrors/blind spots and more
- Shouldn’t speak throughout the test
- Shouldn’t comment before or after the test
- They shouldn’t use any mobile devices; all devices must be switched off
- They can take notes as long as it is subtle and not making any noise or causing a distraction
- They should sit behind the pupil, not the examiner
- They should not kick or nudge the pupils’ seat
It’s your decision
Ultimately it’s your decision whether you have someone accompany you to your driving test or not. Don’t allow your instructor or anyone else to influence your decision. You have to decide what is going to help you feel most comfortable on the big day and what is going to help you perform to the best of your ability.
