Your First Driving Test at a WORD Examination Centre – What Happens from Arrival to Receiving Your Result?

The first state driving test can be a source of uncertainty, not only because of the assessment of driving skills itself, but also because candidates may not always know how a visit to a Regional Road Traffic Centre (WORD) is organised.

What happens after entering the WORD examination centre? How is identity verified? How long does the driving test take, and when can candidates find out their results? It is worth knowing the sequence of the various stages before the scheduled test date.

What Should You Prepare Before Arriving at WORD?

Before the test, you should first make sure that you have a valid document confirming your identity. Before the examination begins, the candidate’s details are verified against the information held in the examination centre’s system. For this purpose, you must present a valid identity card or passport. Your identity can also be confirmed using the mObywatel app by presenting the electronic mDowód document, which serves as a digital equivalent of an identity card in situations where it is accepted.

If your medical certificate specifies additional requirements for driving a vehicle, such as the obligation to wear corrective glasses or contact lenses, remember to bring them to the practical driving test. You must take the test in accordance with the recommendations specified in your medical certificate.

It is advisable to arrive at the examination centre well in advance so that you can find the designated waiting area and prepare for the test without rushing. The arrangements may vary between WORD centres, so it is a good idea to check the information provided on the website of the relevant examination centre before your test.

What Happens After You Enter WORD?

After arriving at the Regional Road Traffic Centre (WORD), you should go to the designated waiting area and prepare for the scheduled part of the driving test. It is worth checking the instructions provided by the centre in advance so that you know where to report.

Before the state examination begins, the candidate’s identity is verified. The subsequent procedure depends on whether the candidate is taking the theory test or the practical test. Each part follows its own procedure and organisational rules.

Remember: the theory test and the practical test do not have to take place immediately one after the other or during the same visit to WORD. They are separate parts of the state examination, so you should check the date and time of each one and plan your arrival at the centre accordingly.

What Does the Driving Theory Test Involve?

After their identity has been verified, candidates taking the theory test at WORD are assigned a computer workstation.

The test consists of 32 questions:

• 20 questions covering general knowledge.
• 12 questions covering specialist knowledge.

A maximum of 74 points can be awarded for correct answers in the driving theory test. To pass, you must score at least 68 points.

Individual questions carry different point values. A correct answer can earn 1, 2 or 3 points, depending on the importance of the subject for road traffic safety. Therefore, when preparing for the test, it is worth not only memorising the correct answers but, above all, understanding the traffic regulations and the principles of safe behaviour on the road.

In the general knowledge section, candidates answer by selecting either “YES” or “NO”. In the specialist knowledge section, they must select one correct answer from three options labelled A, B and C.

The test assesses, among other things, knowledge of traffic regulations, safety principles and the ability to correctly assess situations presented in the examination questions.

How Long Does the Theory Test Take?

The theory test lasts 25 minutes.

However, the total time required should also include organisational procedures, such as identity verification, taking your assigned seat and any waiting time before the test begins.

There is no single standard duration for the entire visit for the theory test, as arrangements may vary between examination centres.

What Does the Category B Practical Driving Test Involve?

The Category B practical driving test begins with verification of the candidate’s identity. The candidate then proceeds to complete the examination tasks on the manoeuvring area.

For Category B, one of the first tasks is checking the vehicle’s technical condition, for which a maximum of 5 minutes is allowed. The candidate then prepares to drive.

Tasks performed on the manoeuvring area include:

• Starting the vehicle and switching on the lights appropriate for driving in road traffic.
• Moving off.
• Driving forwards and backwards along a designated lane, commonly known as the reversing manoeuvre or driving along a curved track.
• Moving off forwards on an incline.

Once the required tasks have been completed, the test continues in road traffic.

During this part of the test, the examiner gives directions regarding the route and assesses how the candidate performs the required tasks and behaves in real traffic situations.

How Long Does the Category B Practical Driving Test Take?

This is one of the questions frequently asked before a first visit to WORD. However, it is important to distinguish between the time spent driving in road traffic and the total duration of the practical test.

For Category B, the minimum duration of driving in road traffic is 40 minutes. However, the examiner may end this part after just 25 minutes if all the required tasks have been completed and the test result is positive.

It is important to remember that the time spent driving in road traffic does not include all the activities involved in the practical test. Before setting off, the following steps must also be completed:

• Identity verification.
• Checking the vehicle’s technical condition.
• Preparing to drive.
• Completing the required tasks on the manoeuvring area.

Therefore, the 40-minute period should not be regarded as the total duration of the practical test.

When Does the Candidate Receive the Test Result?

The result of each part of the examination is available once that part has been completed.

After the theory test, the candidate is informed of the result. In the case of the practical test, the examiner communicates the result after the test has ended.

If the practical test result is negative, the examiner discusses the course of the test and identifies the errors that affected the outcome.

How Much Time Should You Allow for a Visit to WORD?

There is no single duration that applies to every visit to every examination centre.

The theory test lasts 25 minutes, while the minimum duration of driving in road traffic for Category B is 40 minutes, with the possibility of ending this part after 25 minutes if the specified conditions are met.

Additional time must be allowed for organisational procedures and any waiting time.

For this reason, it is best not to schedule another important commitment immediately after the test. The actual time spent at WORD may depend, among other things, on the organisation of the particular centre and the course of the examination.

What Happens After a Positive Result?

After a positive result has been obtained in the required part of the examination, the relevant information is recorded in the system.

Once the practical test has been passed, the subsequent procedure for issuing the driving entitlement and driving licence document begins. We describe this process in detail in our guide, “I’ve Passed My Driving Test – What Happens Next?”

What Happens After a Negative Result?

If the result is negative, the candidate can book another test in accordance with the applicable procedure.

It is worth using the feedback provided after the test to identify which areas need further revision or practice before the next attempt.

Your First WORD Driving Test: Step by Step

Your first visit to WORD consists of several stages:

1. Arriving at the examination centre.
2. Waiting for the test to begin.
3. Confirming your identity.
4. Taking the theory or practical test.
5. Completing the required tasks.
6. Receiving the result.

Knowing the sequence of these stages helps you prepare more effectively and reduces the uncertainty associated with your first visit to the examination centre.

It is also worth remembering that the answer to the question “How long does the driving test take?” depends on which part of the examination is being considered. The theory test has a fixed duration of 25 minutes, whereas the practical test requires separate consideration of the tasks performed before driving onto the road and the time spent driving in road traffic.

FAQ

What should I bring to my driving test at WORD?

Above all, you must bring a valid document confirming your identity. If your medical certificate specifies additional requirements for driving a vehicle, you must also comply with them.

How long does the theory test take?

The theory test lasts 25 minutes.

How long does the road-driving portion of the Category B practical test take?

The minimum duration is 40 minutes. However, the examiner may end this part after just 25 minutes if all the required tasks have been completed and the test result is positive.