The examinee is deemed the driver during the practical driving test.
A practical driving test can be taken by a person who:
- has completed a training course for driving a power-driven vehicle (initial or in-service training, continued training if necessary);
- has passed their theory test;
- has paid the state fee;
- has presented a valid identity document.
An applicant for the right to drive is allowed to take the practical driving test in any service centre of the Estonian Transport Administration regardless of the place of residence of the examinee or location of the training provider.
Practical driving tests are carried out and assessed by an examiner of the Estonian Transport Administration. Driving tests can be taken in Estonian. If one wants to take a driving test in another language, he/she shall be accompanied during a driving test by an interpreter who has reached to the age of majority (an adult interpreter). The interpreter must be able to translate the introduction to the driving test, along with the related safety check questions (link). In addition, to translate the instructions given during the drive and the examiner's explanations regarding the exercises/special manouvers and the summary/feedback of the driving test. In case the translation takes place at category C or CE driving test (where there are only two seats in the truck), the translation is done by telephone. Languages other than Estonian and Estonian Sign Language are foreign languages. An interpreter is needed for Sign Language.
We recommend that you arrive a few minutes before the driving test. This will give you enough time to feel comfortable and focus on your test. It is important to double-check the address of your driving test as in some cities, motorcycle and heavy machinery tests are held either at the grounds of the Transport Administration or at the grounds of a driving school.
At the bureau, feel free to turn to any examiner or administrator to clarify where you will meet your examiner. The design of our buildings is a bit different and may vary from region to region.
About the test
A practical driving test is not part of the learning process but a means of checking the outcomes of that learning process. To reiterate, the candidates who come to take a practical driving test must have optimal knowledge and skills. It is very difficult if not impossible to pass the test with minimal knowledge and skill.
One of the main skills assessed during a practical driving test is the ability to drive without assistance, primarily regarding attention to traffic control devices and other road users. Therefore, driving lessons before the test should focus more on general driving directions from the instructor without specifically pointing out traffic control devices.
Students must also make sure they understand how to open car doors, start the car, regulate seats and mirrors and handle other control devices (windscreen wipers, lights, indicators, heating and ventilation equipment). The latter details are often left to the instructor to take care of, but this fails to demonstrate that the candidate is capable of being an independent driver. Cars are different, naturally, but similar general principles and symbols apply.
Before taking the national driving test, it is good to check the requirements provided for in the appropriate regulation. We recommend getting behind the wheel a few days prior to taking your practical test. Driving a car immediately before taking the practical diving test may lead to fatigue and be detrimental to the test results.
The purpose of testing drivers is to assess whether a person’s knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitude comply with the qualification requirements.
When coming to the practical driving test
- The examinee must come to the practical driving test on time. It is recommended to arrive 5-10 minutes earlier.
- When coming to the practical driving test, the examinee must present their identity document. If the examinee fails to present their identity document or the latter is not valid, they will not be allowed to take the practical driving test.
- When coming to the practical driving test with a driving school, personal or rental vehicle, the examinee must present documents for the traction unit as well as the trailer. The vehicle must be in technical order and clean.
- When you come to take the test for category A (with subcategories), you must bring the registration certificate of the vehicle and a fully charged mobile phone with headphones (handsfree), so that the examiner can give you the necessary instructions when you’re driving.
- When you come to take the test for category T, you must bring a fully charged mobile phone with headphones (handsfree), so that the examiner can give you the necessary instructions when you’re driving.
- The validity of the identity document and the medical certificate must be verified and any special conditions (e.g. eye glasses) must be checked to make sure they are in line with the actual situation.
- When coming to take a category B practical driving test the examinee generally meets with the examiner in the service area; there is no need to engage with customer service. Practical driving tests for other categories take place at a location determined by the Estonian Road Administration.
- If the person who has scheduled the practical driving test fails to come to the practical driving test or they have not notified the service centre of the Road Administration of failure to come to the practical driving test within the prescribed time period, the practical driving test is deemed to have been taken and the state fee paid for the practical driving test is deemed to have been used.
The duration of the practical driving test and the distance covered in that time must be sufficient to assess the skills and behaviour provided for in the qualification requirements. The practical driving test must last at least 45 minutes. Upon applying for the right to drive a category AM vehicle or a limited right to drive, the driving test must last at least 25 minutes. The safety check of the vehicle, the introductory part of the test, the exercises required in the first part of the test and the summarising part are not included in the practical driving test time.
During the driving test, the examinee must drive the vehicle independently, safely, economically and smoothly on roads in built-up areas and on rural roads with varying traffic density and be able to adjust their driving speed in accordance with road and weather conditions. The examinee must be able to drive the vehicle at the maximum speed limit provided that the road and weather conditions are suitable.
Upon applying for the right to drive a motor vehicle of category B or a related subcategory and a combination of vehicles of category B with a mass of 3500 kg to 4250 kg, the practical driving test is conducted according to the requirements for the second part of the driving test and the driving exercises prescribed in Annex 3 are performed and checked on roads with low traffic density.
Application for the right to drive a combination of category B vehicles with a maximum mass of 3,500 to 4,250 kg (code 96)
Category B96 means a combination of category B vehicles with an allowed maximum mass over 3,500 kg but not more than 4,250 kg. Only a driving test has to be passed to acquire the right to drive a B96 combination of vehicles. It is not required to undergo driver training. The special condition 96 is valid within the European Economic Area (including the European Union). Nevertheless, before travelling to a foreign country, you should familiarise yourself with the local requirements applicable in that country.
B96 tests can be booked only at a service bureau. The booking is made when applying for the exchange of your driving licence. This means that when the test is passed, a new driving licence will be issued with the special condition “96” entered under category B.
The B96 national driving test can be taken only with the applicant’s own (including rented, borrowed) vehicle and trailer which is not a light trailer, i.e. the maximum mass of the trailer must be more than 750 kg (it must be an O2 category trailer with a maximum mass over 0.75 t but not exceeding 3.5 t).
The driving test can be taken with the applicant’s own (including rented, borrowed) vehicle and trailer only if the technical state of these complies with the applicable requirements (i.e. the same technical requirements that apply to motor vehicles and trailers used in regular traffic). A trailer with operable direction indicator lamps, front, rear and side position lamps and stop lamps is allowed to a B96 driving test. A reverse light is mandatory on category 02 vehicles originally registered on 10 October 2011 or later. When taking the test, you will have to present the documents for the trailer and the traction unit (registration certificate with a valid roadworthiness stamp). The trailer and the traction unit must have valid motor third party liability insurance. The category O2 trailer must have the same type of tyres as the traction unit. For example, if the traction unit has studded tyres in winter, the trailer also must have studded tyres.
During the driving test, the safe driving of the combination of vehicles in regular traffic is assessed and three exercises have to be completed: assembling and dissembling the combination of vehicles (and parking the traction unit next to the trailer), reversing while turning left or right, and reversing in a straight line (or along a curve).
Upon applying for the right to drive a power-driven vehicle of category AM, A, C or D or a related subcategory or a combination of vehicles of category BE, CE and DE or a related subcategory, the practical driving test is conducted in two parts:
- the first part comprises an assessment of the examinee’s ability to perform the special manoeuvres (hereinafter referred to as practical driving test exercises) provided in Annex 3 to the regulation about the examinee in an area adapted for the test without other road users
- the second part comprises an assessment of the examinee’s behaviour in traffic and their ability to drive the vehicle independently and safely on roads with varying traffic density and varying conditions in accordance with Annex 4 to the regulation.
Upon agreement with the examinee, a final examination destination, where a summary will be made, or the navigation software WAZE can be used when driving back.
References to annexes regulating the first and second part of the practical driving test:
- Annex 3 Requirements of examinee in first part of driving tests and assessment of examinee’s actions
- Annex 4 Skills and behaviour to be checked in second part of driving test
Regulation on examination:
The practical driving test can be scheduled via the e-service site of the Estonian Transport Administration (for category A and B practical driving tests only) or in a service centre.
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Service centre |
Practical driving test options by categories and subcategories |
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Tallinn |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B96, BE, C, CE, D and DE practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Rapla |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B96, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Tartu |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B 96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Jõgeva |
Category B practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau. You can sign up to practical driving tests on the e-service and in service bureaus. You can also sign up to category B78 tests through a driving school if the school has booked a date for category B78 driving tests in advance. B96 tests can be booked at a service bureau or by submitting electronically (digitally signed or authenticated notice in the e-service). The booking is made when applying for the exchange of your driving licence. This means that when the test is passed, a new driving licence will be issued with the special condition “96” entered under category B. |
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Võru |
Category A, AM, B, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Põlva |
Category B practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Valga |
Valga Category B practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau. You can register for the test on the e-service and in the service bureau. You can also sign up to category B78 tests through a driving school if the school has booked a date for category B78 driving tests in advance. B96 tests can be booked at a service bureau or by submitting electronically (digitally signed or authenticated notice in the e-service). The booking is made when applying for the exchange of your driving licence. This means that when the test is passed, a new driving licence will be issued with the special condition “96” entered under category B. |
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Pärnu |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B 96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Haapsalu |
Category AM, A, B, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Kärdla |
Category AM, A, B, B96, BE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Viljandi |
Category AM, A, B, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Kuressaare |
Category AM, A, B, B96, BE, C and CE practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Jõhvi |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Rakvere |
Category AM, A, B, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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| Paide |
Category AM, A, B, B78, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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Narva |
Category B, B78, B96, BE, C, CE, D, DE and T practical driving tests can be performed at the service bureau.
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* Practical driving tests with cars with automatic transmission can be taken in Rakvere, Viljandi, Haapsalu, Rapla, Kuressaare, Võru, Valga, Kärdla, Jõgeva, Põlva, Paide, Narva (as well as in Tartu, Pärnu, Jõhvi and Tallinn) only upon agreement with a local driving school, provided that the driving school has booked a practical driving test day through the testing centre in association with the Estonian Transport Administration’s Driving Licence Department.
Upon scheduling a practical driving test for category B, the first vehicle option will be the vehicle that was used for practical lessons at the driving school. This information is given to the Estonian Transport Administration by your driving school, i.e. whether the power-driven vehicle used during practical lessons had a clutch or not.
In addition to the category B78 practical test vehicle provided by the Estonian Transport Administration, the test can also be taken with an appropriate vehicle of the driving school. This requires scheduling the test through your driving school.
Booking your test
Information on the waiting time for taking a practical driving test can be obtained when calling the Estonian Transport Administration information line 620 1200 as well as the regional office.
If you cannot come to the practical driving test at the appointed time or you wish to cancel your driving test time, you must notify the Estonian Transport Administration in writing and the test time assigned to you will be changed or cancelled. If you inform us at least three working days before the practical driving test, the time of the test will be changed without paying an additional state fee.
If you cannot come to the practical driving test, you must inform the regional office of the Estonian Transport Administration in writing a minimum of three working days before the agreed test date and the date for taking the test will be changed.
In the case of later notification, the time of the practical driving test will not be changed, except if the later notification was caused by unexpected illness of the person or any other circumstances beyond their control and based on the principle of reasonableness that it could not have been expected that the person should have taken this fact into account or should have avoided it and if the person submits relevant proof to the office of this.
If the person who has booked the practical driving test fails to come to the test or they have not informed the Estonian Transport Administration of failure to come to the practical driving test within the stipulated time period, the practical driving test is deemed to have taken place and the state fee paid for the practical driving test is deemed to have been used.
Persons who want to take a practical driving test must pay a state fee.
Registration of a minor for an exam
A person under the age of 18 cannot independently perform actions related to the right to drive in the Transport Administration. In order to perform actions independently, the consent of the parent/guardian is required.
In E-service: To apply for the right to drive, a minor must log in to the Estonian Transport Administration's E-service and start the application process. After that, the system will prompt the minor to request consent from their legal representative to carry out the procedures independently. A notification will be sent to the legal representative’s email, and by logging into the e-service, he/she can easily give his/her consent. If desired, the legal representative can also pay the state fees for the procedure on behalf of the child. Once consent is given, the minor can complete all necessary steps in the e-service up to receiving the document.
By e-mail/at a Service Bureau: The parent/guardian consent application can be found in the driver's license section of the forms subpage of the Transport Administration website. The completed and digitally signed form must be sent to the address info@transpordiamet.ee. The parent/guardian can also fill out the consent form and submit it locally at the Service Bureau.
Category B96 means a combination of category B vehicles with an allowed maximum mass over 3,500 kg but not more than 4,250 kg. Only a driving test has to be passed to acquire the right to drive a B96 combination of vehicles. It is not required to undergo driver training. The special condition 96 is valid within the European Economic Area (including the European Union). Nevertheless, before travelling to a foreign country, you should familiarise yourself with the local requirements applicable in that country.
B96 tests can be booked only at a service bureau. The booking is made when applying for the exchange of your driving licence. This means that when the test is passed, a new driving licence will be issued with the special condition “96” entered under category B.
The B96 national driving test can be taken only with the applicant’s own (including rented, borrowed) vehicle and trailer which is not a light trailer, i.e. the maximum mass of the trailer must be more than 750 kg (it must be an O2 category trailer with a maximum mass over 0.75 t but not exceeding 3.5 t).
The user manual for the driving test vehicles used by the Estonian Transport Administration can be read here.
Reading the manual is beneficial since the driver has to be able to manage on their own.
Exception: the practical driving test for a combination of vehicles belonging to category B (B96) with a maximum mass of over 3500 kg but under 4250 kg is conducted with the motor vehicle and trailer (not a light trailer) of the examinee. The examinee’s personal motor vehicle and trailer may only be used to conduct the driving test if the roadworthiness thereof is compliant with existing requirements and the examinee has the registration certificates of the vehicle and the trailer with them.
If a vehicle drawing a category O2 trailer has studded tyres, the trailer must also have studded tyres. If a vehicle drawing a category O2 trailer has studless winter tyres, the trailer must also have studless winter tyres.
- Category AM, A, A2 and A1 practical driving tests are conducted with a driving test motorcycle/moped of the training provider (driving school) or another (e.g. a personal) motorcycle or moped. The Road Administration does not have vehicles in said (sub)categories. Requirements for driving test vehicles and drivers’ equipment (in Estonian).
Where a person brings their own motorcycle/moped to the practical driving test, they must also bring the registration certificate of the motorcycle/moped. The latter is required to determine the category of the driving test vehicle. Be sure to bring an identity document.
Persons must ensure their own protective clothing and safety equipment for the practical driving test:
- motorcycle helmet
- motorcycle gloves
- elbow, shoulder and knee guards
- motorcycle boots or at least laced boots that support the ankle joint
- motorcycle pants are advisable or at least long jeans (shorts and sweatpants of any kind are unsuitable)
More information on safety equipment is available here. Examinees with mobility disability who have a health certificate permitting them to drive a manual driven vehicle only will take a test with a vehicle adapted to their needs. As an exception, they can take a test in a vehicle that does not have extra clutch and brake pedals but in which the examiner can easily use a parking brake.
The purpose of the driving examination is to assess whether a person’s knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitude comply with the qualification requirements for drivers. Every assessment on a driving situation must reflect the applicant’s skill in handling and driving the vehicle safely while in traffic. The examiner must feel safe for the entire duration of the test. If the examinee makes mistakes while driving and displays hazardous behaviour, thus potentially putting the driving test vehicle, the people inside the vehicle or other road users at risk, the test will be stopped and failed regardless of whether the examiner or the accompanying person needs to step in or not. However, the examiner retains the right to decide whether to complete the test or stop it in accordance with the examinee’s skills and behaviour – the examinee fails and the examiner has no discretionary authority.
During the assessment, the examiner will focus on whether the examinee appears calculated and considerate of others in their driving behaviour. It should reflect a general orderly and safe driving style. The examiner will take this into account to gain an overall understanding of the examinee. This includes an adaptive and confident driving style, consideration of the road and weather conditions and other traffic, consideration of other road users (especially those less protected) and anticipation. Examinees who display all of the above will pass the test.
Exercises as well as the ability to control the vehicle will be assessed during the practical driving test. Clause 50 of Annex 3 to the Examination Regulation states that parking skills can be assessed in two ways. It is mandatory to perform “parking with a manoeuvre” and the test may optionally include “parallel parking”.
An overview of what can and cannot be done while parking a vehicle during the test can be found here (in Estonian).
This material is for additional reading. During the test, the examiner will assess the current traffic situation, the actions of the examinee and whether the examinee complies with the qualification requirements.
The skills, attitude and behaviour of the examinee and how they put their knowledge to practical use are assessed during the test. The examiner will note any mistakes, assessments, comments and their decision on passing or failing the test on the driving test report which is available in the e-service site of the Estonian Transport Administration for 12 months after the driving test.
The examiner concludes the practical driving test as soon as possible once they see that the preparation (knowledge, skills and behaviour) of the examinee do not support a positive assessment. During the test, the examiner may ask additional questions from the examinee to get a better understanding of their motivations, considerations, alternative options when making decisions, etc. If the examinee does not wish to or is unable to answer, the examiner shall assess what is visible to them and take the examinee’s arguments into consideration, where possible, in the test summary.
A provisional driving licence, a driving licence and a licence with a limited right to drive are issued within ten working days of passing the respective test or on the day following the submission of a request to exchange the driving licence.
The driver of a power-driven vehicle must have a valid document certifying their right to drive A document certifying the right to drive is a provisional driving licence, a driving licence, a driving licence with the limited right to drive specified in § 95 of the Traffic Act, an international driving licence issued by a foreign competent authority along with an internal driving licence or, in the events provided by law, a document substituting a driving licence. A person may hold only one valid document certifying their right to drive.
At the time of formalisation of a provisional driving licence and a driving licence, but no later than ten working days from passing the respective examination or from the day following the submission of a request to exchange the driving licence, the person may, upon the existence of a valid right to drive, drive a power-driven vehicle without a document certifying the right to drive only in Estonia. The right to drive a power-driven vehicle is proven based on the data of the motor register.
The right to drive is granted to a person:
- who complies with the requirements provided in the Traffic Act;
- whose permanent residence for the purpose of the Traffic Act is in Estonia;
- who has successfully passed all the required tests and whose test results have been entered into the motor register. The test results are entered in the motor register no later than by the end of the day of the test.
Continued driver training
After their third failed practical driving test, persons must undergo continued training with a driver training provider.
Continued driver training is carried out in the form of driving lessons with regard to the repeated failure of the applicant for the right to drive to pass the practical driving test. The objective of continued training is to better prepare the driver and ensure they acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
The training provider is responsible for determining the nature of the continued training based on why the applicant failed their driving test. The applicant for the right to drive can see the reasons why they failed their driving test in the test report available in their inbox on the online service site of the Estonian Road Administration. Continuing training must comprise at least two driving lessons. The training provider may, for example, assign more driving lessons, considering the person’s traffic competency (perhaps also additional theory lessons).
A training course certificate and electronic data submitted by the training provider in the motor register prove that the applicant has completed continued training.
Another practical driving test can be scheduled after but not before the completion of continued training.
While performing the safety check of the motor vehicle, the examiner will ask the examinee to do the following.
- Please describe how you know that all the doors on the vehicle are properly closed.
- Please describe how you know if the parking brake is engaged.
- Please show how you check whether the brakes are in working order (according to the category).
- Please describe how you check the roadworthiness of the tires.
- Please show how you would use the window wipers when necessary (e.g. in rainy weather).
- Please show how you would use the rear window wipers when necessary (e.g. in rainy weather).
- Please show how you would wash the windows when necessary.
- Please show how you would regulate the cabin temperature.
- Please show how you would turn on the emergency lamps.
- Please show how you would turn on the main-beam headlamps when necessary.
- Please describe what you would do if the windows of the vehicle were frozen or foggy.
- Please show how you would turn on rear window heating.
- Please show how you would turn on mirror heating.
- Please describe how much fuel there is in the tank at the moment.
- Please describe how the driver would make sure that all the passengers in the vehicle are ready to depart.
- Please show how you would adjust the headrests.
- Please show how you would properly use the seatbelt.
Passing the practical driving test requires the examinee to be able to conduct an independent safety check of the driving test vehicle pursuant to the principles of road safety. Before the start of the practical test, the examinee must show that they are able to make independent preparations for driving safely and can check and assess the compliance of lights, wheel rims and their respective tyres, brakes, safety equipment or devices, the windscreen and its cleaning systems, the heating and ventilation devices of the vehicle, rear-view mirrors and the seat position. The examiner will ask two questions on safety checks to prompt the examinee to inspect the specified element.
Restoration of the right to drive takes place in accordance with § 129 of the Traffic Act.
Driving licences issued in a foreign state are exchanged for an Estonian driving licence in accordance with § 99 of the Traffic Act.
In the first part of the practical driving test, the examinee must safely manoeuvre and perform exercises with the vehicle.
In the second part of the driving test, the examinee must drive the vehicle independently, safely, economically and smoothly on roads in built-up areas and on rural roads with varying traffic density and be able to adjust their driving speed in accordance with road and weather conditions. The examinee must be able to drive the vehicle at the maximum speed limit provided that the road and weather conditions are suitable.
Upon restoration of the right to drive or exchange of a foreign driving licence, the practical driving test will be conducted with a proper driving test vehicle determined by the Estonian Road Administration.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes, which lead to failure to pass the test or provide the basis for such an assessment, are the following (this list and the specified situations are not comprehensive because traffic is dynamic):
- Insufficient attention to, which is mostly reflected in failure to notice traffic control devices. The examinee fails to check the mirrors (for example, only uses the rear-view mirror), does not notice pedestrians or vulnerable road users, ignores their obligation to give way, fails to give way to an emergency vehicle, violates the requirements of a prohibiting traffic light, etc.
- Insufficient handling of the motor vehicle, which is reflected in failure to perceive the dimensions of the motor vehicle (the driver hits something or creates a situation with the potential to hit something) or failure to use control devices –for example, looking at the gearstick while changing gears, turning the signal lights on and off at the wrong time, the inability to accelerate and decelerate, insufficient separation and lateral distance with other vehicles or road users.
- Inability to perform parking exercises – both parallel parking and parking with a manoeuvre. Especially the inability to find an empty parking place without assistance and failure to adjust the position of a vehicle that is not properly parked. The parked motor vehicle is not fully stopped, the vehicle is parked with the gear engaged, causing the car to move unintendedly, driving onto a green area, etc.
- Inadequate driving experience on roads, which is reflected in inappropriate driving speed, insufficient use of acceleration and deceleration lanes. Insufficient monitoring of traffic and hazard detection and failure to react appropriately. Traffic situations on roads outside built-up areas develop slowly and the examinee must be particularly perspicacious.
- Inability to find solutions without assistance. For example, independent tasks where the examinee is asked to find an opportunity to make a U-turn leading them to cause a dangerous situation or violate traffic rules or where the examiner instructs the examinee to drive towards a settlement following signposts and the latter fails to keep an eye on the traffic and traffic control devices, etc.
- There are shortcomings in theoretical knowledge that prevent the examinee from coping while in traffic.
Last updated: 29.07.2025
