How long does the class B driving test take?

How long the class B driving test takes is something most people wonder about before the big day. The driving part itself usually lasts around an hour, but you should set aside more time in total. The examiner also spends time on check-in, a short safety inspection and feedback afterwards. In practice this means you should plan for between 75 and 90 minutes from when you arrive until you leave with a result.

Table of contents

• How the time is divided
• Arrival: get there in good time
• The safety check
• The drive in traffic
• Feedback and result
• How to prepare for the time

How the time is divided

The driving test is not just the one hour in the car. You have to allow for time both before and after. The table below shows a typical breakdown, but remember that the times vary a little from one traffic station to another and from examiner to examiner.

The most important part for the assessment is the hour you actually drive. That is where the examiner forms an overall impression of your driving style.

Arrival: get there in good time

You should arrive in good time before the appointed hour, preferably 15 minutes early. That gives you time to check in, show valid identification and calm your nerves. If you arrive too late, you risk in the worst case having the test cancelled and having to pay the fee again.

Also make sure that the car you are going to use meets the requirements. If you take the test in your own car, there are certain requirements for the car on the driving test you need to know in advance.

The safety check

Before you drive off, the examiner usually asks you to do a short safety check. You may get questions about, for example, lights, brakes, tyres, fluid levels or blind spots. This only takes a few minutes, but it counts in the overall assessment.

• You get one or more practical questions about the car.
• You should show that you understand why the check matters, not just memorise answers.
• Answering clearly and confidently gives you a good start to the rest of the test.

It pays to be well prepared here. Read more about which safety questions on the driving test you may get, so that you do not waste time getting stressed.

The drive in traffic

The drive itself is the longest part and lasts around 60 minutes. Here you drive in varied traffic so the examiner can see how you handle different situations: urban areas, country roads, junctions, roundabouts, parking and perhaps motorway where it exists.

The examiner gives you routes and simple tasks along the way, for example a parking manoeuvre or a turn. It is normal for the pace to feel high because a lot has to be assessed in a short time. If you want to know what is actually weighted, you can read about how the examiner assesses your driving style . If you fail, it is good to know about the waiting period before a new test .

To get an overview of the whole process, it is useful to go through the driving test step by step . Many people also underestimate how much stress and time pressure can affect driving, so it is wise to practise staying calm.

Feedback and result

When the drive is finished, you usually drive back to the traffic station. There the examiner spends a few minutes giving you feedback and telling you whether you have passed or not. This conversation often lasts around ten minutes, regardless of the result.

If you are told that you did not pass, you usually get an explanation of what needs to improve for the next attempt. It is normal for the examiner to point out some specific points you can practise more.

How to prepare for the time

The most important advice is to set aside plenty of time and not plan anything else right afterwards. That way you avoid worrying about the clock while you drive. Think this through in advance:

1. Sleep well the night before and eat a light meal so you keep your concentration for a full hour.
2. Be at the traffic station at least 15 minutes before the appointed time.
3. Have valid identification and documentation ready.
4. Expect the whole visit to take up to an hour and a half.

If you want to plan the whole process before the test, it can also be helpful to know what the driving test costs and what the theory test costs .

Want to arrive as well prepared as possible? Take a free theory test and practise regularly in the Eteo app, so that both the theory and the calm are in place when you sit the theory test and the driving test.