Glossary
Driving test glossary — every term explained
An A–Z of every term used on the UK and US driving test. Each entry is short, citable, and links to the relevant guide so you can dig deeper.
Driving Routes
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Test process
Dangerous fault
A driving error that did cause a problem on the UK practical test. One dangerous fault is an automatic fail.
DL25
The official UK practical driving test marking sheet used by every DVSA examiner.
Driving fault
A minor error on the UK practical test. You can have up to 15 and still pass.
Eyesight test
Read a number plate at 20 metres (UK) before starting the practical driving test.
Independent driving
About 20 minutes of the UK practical test where you follow a sat-nav or road signs without step-by-step examiner instructions.
Pass Plus
An optional post-test UK course covering motorway, rural, and adverse-weather driving.
Pass rate
The percentage of practical-test candidates who pass at a given test centre or nationally.
Permit test
The US written exam taken to get a learner's permit before the road test.
Practical driving test
The in-car driving test taken after passing theory; covers eyesight, show-me-tell-me, road driving, manoeuvres, and independent driving.
Serious fault
A potentially dangerous error on the UK practical test. One serious fault is an automatic fail.
Show me, tell me
Two UK practical-test vehicle-safety questions: one asked before you drive, one asked while you drive.
Test centre
The DVSA (UK) or DMV (US) location where you take your practical driving test.
Test route
One of the published roads-and-turns sequences a driving examiner uses on the practical test.
Theory test
The multiple-choice and hazard-perception exam you must pass before booking the practical driving test.
US road test
The US in-car driver-licence test, run by each state's DMV; rules and pass standards vary by state.
Manoeuvres
Bay parking
Parking forward or reverse into a marked bay; one of the four UK test reversing manoeuvres.
Biting point
Same as clutch bite point — the spot at which the clutch starts engaging.
Blind spot
An area around the car that the driver cannot see using mirrors alone; requires an over-the-shoulder check.
Clutch bite point
The point in the clutch pedal's release where the engine starts to engage the drive train.
Emergency stop
A controlled hard brake on the examiner's command, used on about one in three UK practical tests.
Hill start
Pulling away from a stationary position on an incline without rolling back.
Kangaroo petrol
Informal term for the jerky motion caused by mis-coordinating the clutch and accelerator.
MSM
Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre — the routine for every change of speed, direction or position.
MSPSL
Mirror-Signal-Position-Speed-Look — the extended MSM routine used at junctions.
Parallel parking
Reversing into a parking space alongside the kerb, between two parked cars.
POM
Prepare-Observe-Move — the routine for pulling away from a stationary position.
Reverse around a corner
A reversing manoeuvre into a side road; removed from the UK test in 2017 but common in US road tests.
Road law
Box junction
A junction marked with criss-cross yellow road markings; do not enter unless your exit is clear.
Give way
A junction marked with broken white lines and a 'Give Way' sign; stop only if traffic is coming.
Highway Code
The official UK rule book covering road signs, signals, and driver responsibilities.
Mini roundabout
A small painted-island roundabout; same give-way rules apply.
Roundabout
A circular junction at which traffic flows anticlockwise (UK) or clockwise (US); give way to traffic already on it.
Stop line
A solid white line at a junction; you must come to a full stop, even if the road is clear.
Yellow box junction
Same as a box junction — a criss-cross-marked junction you must not enter with a blocked exit.
People & roles
ADI
Approved Driving Instructor — a UK driving instructor licensed by the DVSA to charge for driving lessons.
DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles — the US state-level authority that runs road tests.
DVSA
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency — the UK government body that runs the driving test.
Graduated driver licence
A US licensing system that adds driving privileges in stages (learner's permit → restricted licence → full).
PDI
Potential Driving Instructor — a trainee instructor authorised to charge for lessons while qualifying.
Provisional licence
The pre-test UK driver's licence that lets you learn to drive on public roads.
Vehicle & equipment
ABS
Anti-lock Braking System — prevents the wheels from locking under hard braking.
Android Auto
Google's car-dashboard interface that mirrors compatible Android apps onto the car's screen.
Apple CarPlay
Apple's car-dashboard interface that mirrors compatible iPhone apps onto the car's screen.
Dash cam
A small forward-facing camera mounted in the car; useful evidence in collisions but not allowed to film during a UK driving test.
ESC
Electronic Stability Control — corrects skids by selectively braking individual wheels.
L-plate
The red 'L' plate displayed on a UK car being driven by a provisional-licence holder.