The DVLA has a new licence verification process; first, on how to share your driving license details if you’re a learner and second, how to check a student’s status if you’re an ADI. Both require the creation and use of a one-off code that the learner creates and the ADI can then use to check the student’s record held on the DVLA’s database. Here’s a quick overview of both processes:

Head to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Enter the driver number and postcode shown on your licence plus your National Insurance number.
Confirm that you have read the privacy notice.
Click on the ‘View Now’ button.
Select the ‘Share your licence information’ tab found in top right of the window.
Click on the ‘Create a Code’ button.
Make a note of the check code which is generated for you – remember it is case sensitive.
Share this check code and the last eight characters of your driving licence number with your ADI so they can view your driving record online.

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How learner drivers can share their driving record with their ADI:

How ADIs can check a student’s driving record:

Head to https://www.gov.uk/check-driving-information
Enter the last eight characters of the driving licence number you want to check; this information should have been given to you by the student along with their check code.
Enter the student’s check code.
Click on the ‘Check Licence’ button.
The student’s record will be displayed; from this window, you can also print or save out the record or check another licence.

And that’s it – as long as there are no technical gremlins, the new process should be simpler and more reliable as it offers more up-to-date information than the details featured on that archaic piece of paper currently clogging up drivers’ wallets/purses the length and breadth of Britain.

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The driving test pass rates shown are for 2011. The driving test centre results do not vary very much from year to year. Contrary to popular belief there is no significant difference between male and female driver pass rates. The pass rates shown are for Cambridge, the national rates can be found by clicking on the link below.

Click here for: National Driving Test Pass Rates

Categories of Driving Licence

We only offer instruction in category B:

Category P: Mopeds with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc. Minimum age: 16
‍Category A: Motorcycles up to 25kW (33bhp). Minimum age: 17‍
Category A1: Light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125cc. Minimum age: 17‍
Category B: Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg. Minimum age 17‍
Category B + E: Combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B. Minimum age: 17

Cambridge Theory Test Centre

Ground Floor,
Unit CC5a,
Clifton Court,
Cambridge,
CB1 7BN

Book your Theory Test by phone

Driving Standards Agency Theory Test (This number is charged as a local number and may be part of your mobile inclusive minutes)

Tel: 0300 200 1122

(The theory test centre in Cambridge cannot be contacted directly).

Book your theory test online

To book a theory test online click here
This is a ‘clean’ link to the governments direct.gov.uk. Do not book through any other non-official site as you may be charged an additional booking fee. For the current theory test fee click here.

Cambridge Driving Test Centre

Book your Theory Test by phone

To book a practical driving test at Cambridge Brookmount Court test centre, call the Driving Standards Agency on 0300 200 1122 (This number is charged as a local number and may be part of your mobile inclusive minutes)

Book your driving test online

To book a practical driving test at Cambridge Brookmount Court test centre online click here. This is a ‘clean’ link to the governments direct.gov.uk. Do not book through any other non-official site as you may be charged an additional booking fee. For the current practical test fee click here.

Cambridge Driving Test Centre (Brookmount Court),
Units A & B Brookmount Court,
Kirkwood Road,
Cambridge,
Cambridgeshire,
CB4 2QH

Show Me Tell Me Questions and Answers

Show Me Tell Me is the name given to the technical / safety questions asked by a driving examiner in the UK practical driving test.

This element of the practical test was first introduced in September 2003, and the question bank was amended in July 2008 and again in December 2017. The following are the latest set of questions.

View of Ford Fiesta Engine (typical of most engines)

'Tell me' questions

Question: Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Answer: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
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Question: Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Answer: Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
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Question: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
Answer: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
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Question: Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Answer: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
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Question: Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
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Question: Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Answer: Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
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Question: Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
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Question: Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Answer: Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
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Question: Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
Answer: If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
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Question: Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Answer: Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
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Question: Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Answer: Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
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Question: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Answer: Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.~
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Question: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Answer: Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
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Question: Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Answer: Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

'Show me' questions

When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?