faq & general information

Why use a Driving Instructor ?

How many lessons will I need ?

What do I need on my first lesson ?

Why use a Driving Instructor

Recent surveys by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) indicate that nine in ten learners who passed both theory and practical tests first time were taught by an instructor. A fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the car while teaching you.

The DSA is responsible for maintaining and checking the standards of all ADI, who to qualify must:

have held a full driving licence for at least four years
pass a much tougher theory test than the one learner drivers take
pass a strict driving test
reach and keep up a high standard of instruction. The standard of tuition given by the ADI is regularly checked by a supervising examiner from DSA
be registered with DSA
display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle

You should take advice from your ADI on:

all aspects of driving
what books to read
when to take your test
how to practice

extract from the Directgov website

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How many lessons will I need

Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice. Learners who prepare this way, with a combination of plenty of professional training and plenty of practice, do better in the test. (source Directgov.co.uk)

17 - 19 year old = fast ≈ 35 – 40 hours / average ≈ 40 – 50 hours
20 - 29 year old = fast ≈ 40 – 50 hours / average ≈ 50 – 63 hours
30 - 39 year old = fast ≈ 50 – 63 hours / average ≈ 63 – 78 hours
40 - 49 year old = fast ≈ 63 – 78 hours / average ≈ 78 – 95 hours
50 plus year old = fast ≈ 85 plus hours / average ≈ 95 plus hours

But please bear in mind this is only a guide as everyone is an individual and will learn differently and at different rates.

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What do I need on my first lesson

Both parts of your Driving licence

Photo ID card
Paper counterpart

To be able to read

20.5 metres if an old style number plate

20 meters if the new-style number plate is used.

If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you may copy down what you see.

And most importantly YOU.

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Theory Test

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works. You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin. A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.
For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works. The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five. You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

At the end of the test

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff.

taken from the Directgov website

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Driving Test

Your driving test will start with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. You will then start your practical driving test which will include some specific manoeuvres.
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

The practical driving test (car)

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

can drive safely
know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

What will the test include?

The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

reversing around a corner
turning in the road
reverse into a parking bay
reverse parallel park

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

Vehicle safety questions

These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels. Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

What happens during the test?

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.
You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

After the practical test

When the driving test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

taken from the Directgov website

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Your Question here

If you have a question about learning to drive please fill in the contact form and I will try to answer it for you.

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Register of Approved Driving Instructors

Register of Approved Driving Instructors