If you live in the south of Essex and are learning to drive, the Basildon test centre may well be the location of your practical test. This test centre can be found just off the Southend Arterial Road which crosses the county east to west, meaning its location is convenient for candidates from across Essex. If you’re taking your test here, it’s important to build up a solid knowledge of the local area. To help get you up to speed, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to Basildon test centre.
Address
Paycocke Road
Basildon
Essex
Essex
SS14 3JS
Tests Offered at Basildon
– Car
– Motorcycle module 1
– Motorcycle module 2
– ADI part 3
How To Get There
Located smack bang in the middle of a bustling industrial estate, Basildon test centre is right next to Gardiners Lane South and the busy A127. The town’s train station and Eastgate shopping centre, meanwhile, are a mere nine-minute drive away. As such, this test centre is easy to get to for local learners and even those travelling further afield in the Essex area. Of course, if you’re still uncertain, we’d advise you to use a sat nav to find your way.
A Bit More About Basildon
Candidates looking to take their practical at Basildon test centre will have to face a range of local, tricky road types and features before they can hope to get their hands on their full driving licence. From testing your ability to face high-speed roads like the A13 and A127 to observing your manoeuvring skills on quiet, residential streets, your driving examiner will pit you against all the challenges that Basildon has to offer.
What To Expect On The Day
After hours of driving lessons, your test date is finally upon you. Talk about nerve-wracking. If your confidence isn’t quite where you hoped it would be, we’d advise you to read up on our top six ways to relax before your driving test.
Before you jet out of the front door on your big day, there’s one important question you need to ask yourself: do you have your provisional licence? If the answer’s no, you can wave goodbye to taking your test. You need to have your provisional licence with you to take the driving test, otherwise you will be turned around, so double-check you’ve got it before you leave. Additionally, you’ll want to get to the test centre 10 minutes before your test is due to start.
Your driving test will consist of:
– An eyesight test, where you’ll need to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres
– Two “show me, tell me” questions covering vehicle safety and maintenance
– Twenty minutes of general driving, where you’ll be guided by the examiner, and will also need to perform one of the following manoeuvres:
– Parallel parking
– Bay parking
– Pulling up on the right
– Twenty minutes of independent driving, during which you’ll either follow sat nav directions or sign posts to reach a set destination
Once you get back to the test centre and park your car, the test will officially end. The examiner will then walk you through the feedback sheet and list any driving test faults, whether they are minors or majors, that you may have accumulated. If you fail, keep hold of this sheet as it can be used to help you figure out which areas you need to improve on for your next test attempt. If you pass, you’ll also be handed a test pass certificate.
But What If I Fail?
Like any other test you take in life, if all doesn’t go according to plan with your driving test and you end up failing, it’s as simple as trying again. Of course, we don’t recommend just heading back in without any preparation. Instead, take some time to improve on the areas in which you picked up the most faults in. The best way to do this is by taking a refresher course with an instructor. They’ll be able to give you pointers to ensure you don’t trip up on them again.
