How old do I have to be to start driving a car? You
can start learning to drive at 17.
What documentation do I need to start driving? A valid
provisional driving licence. If it is the old style (just a paper licence) it must
be signed & accompanied by some form of photo identification. If it is the new style
you will need both the plastic photographic card and the paper counterpart
How do I apply for a provisional licence? Complete
driving licence application form D1 and photo card application form D750 (available
from most post offices). Or
apply online here .
Can I start driving lessons before I have passed my theory test?
Yes, we would recommend you havek a few lessons prior to applying for the theory
test. The practical driving experience will help make more sense and the instructor
can assist in your study for the exam.
How often should I have a lesson? We recommend you
have a lesson at least once a week, otherwise you may spend too much time recapping
what was achieved last time. You can have more than one lesson a week and students
often do this leading up to their test.
How many lessons do I need? Different levels of skill,
ability and confidence are all factors, everybody is different and each person will
have different training needs that need addressing. Often the number of lessons
quoted will be anywhere between 30-60 hours, with the average around 40-45. Other
factors often dictating the time are number of lessons per week, and how frequent
the lessons are.
Who is allowed to teach or supervise me? Anyone who
is at least 21 years old and have held a full EU motor car licence for at least
3 years can supervise your private practice. It is illegal for anyone else other
than a registered driving instructor to charge money for teaching you to drive.
The vehicle must be insured for you to drive.
I have an International Driving License. What do I do?
If you hold a full international license you are entitled to drive in the U.K. for
one year from the date of your arrival, However, you cannot take your theory or
practical tests without a UK provisional license so you should apply for this as
soon as you start taking lessons. . back to top
How do I know when I am ready for my driving test?
You will be ready for the test when you show that you have reached the standards
set in The Official Driving Test. Learners who pass first time do so because they
are well instructed and get plenty of practice. They pass because they wait until
they are ready. Our instructors have the knowledge and experience to advise you
when this is. It is their responsibility to ensure that you are capable and safe
to drive alone, without supervision. If you book your test without our prior approval,
we may not allow you the use of the school cars. We do not like having to refuse,
but the safety of you, the examiner and other road users is our primary responsibility.
Most people fail their driving test, so are you really ready? The pass rate for
the practical car test is 43%, and for first time candidates it's even lower.
The reason for such a low success rate is because candidates are not properly prepared.
You must be able to drive consistently well, with confidence and without help or
guidance from your instructor. If you can't then you are not ready for your
test. If the examiner has to intervene then you will have failed the test. Those
who pass have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training, combined
with 25 hours of private practice. Candidates who combine professional instruction
with private practice are also more successful on the test. Remember that it's
practice that makes perfect, it's perfect that will pass the test.
What is Pass Plus? The Pass Plus course is a training
course that has been specifically designed by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency)
for new drivers. Its aim is to give new drivers extra confidence on the roads after
passing their driving test and it carries a number of benefits. Not only will it
make you a more confident driver, capable of dealing with all kinds of modern hazards
such as busy motorways and city centre one-way systems, it may also give you a significant
discount on your motor insurance. No matter where you have taken your original driving
lessons – the Pass Plus will teach you how to deal with a wide range of different
roads and traffic. The course does not require you to take a test at the end, but
will assess your progress throughout.