To learn to drive in a safe manner there is no substitute for professional tuition.
All of our cars have dual controls which means that should you get into a situation
which you cannot control while you are learning, our instructors will be able to
safely slow or stop the car.
To pass the practical driving test requires knowledge of very specific information
which typically only qualified driving instructors are able to pass on to you.
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Below we have listed some of the areas that have to be taken into account when learning
to drive:
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Your Eyesight
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Even if you are unaware of any problems, you should still have your eyesight examined
every 2 years. This medical examination can detect underlying health issues and
changes in your vision.
Just before you start learning to drive is a good time to have an eyesight check,
and it will also be useful to mention to your optician that you are about to start
driving.
When you take your practical test, the examiner will require you to read a number
plate at a distance of 20.5 metres (about 67 feet). If your optician recommends
you wear glasses or contact lenses and you need these to read the number plate,
you must wear them during your test and whenever you drive.
If you have had sight correction surgery you should declare this when you apply
for your provisional licence.
The examiner will give you 3 chances to read a number plate and you can have the
distance remeasured each time. If you fail to answer correctly your test will be
terminated.
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How To Obtain Your
Provisional Licence
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To be able to learn to drive on a public road you must hold a provisional
licence suited to the vehicle you wish to drive. To obtain a provisional licence
to drive a car (cat B) you must be 17 years old (16 if you claim
higher rate disability allowance).
You can obtain an application form for a driving licence (form D1) from your local
post office or by filling out a form online.
To accompany these forms you will also need to provide a colour passport size photograph
with the signature of a professional person (a doctor for example) who has known
you for at least 2 years on the back. They cannot be related to you. Also needed
is some identification such as a passport or birth certificate (originals). These
will be returned to you separately from your licence. All these items need to be
posted to the relevant address in the envelope provided along with the correct fee
in the form of a cheque or postal order.
Old Style Paper Provisional Licences are still valid up to your
70th birthday but when attending your theory and practical test you will need to
take extra photo ID along with you. For example, your passport.
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The
Driving Theory Test
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The theory test is made up of two parts taken via a computer at a theory test centre
local to you. The first part is a multiple choice test. There are 50 questions asked
(one at a time) and 43 of these must be answered correctly in order to pass this
part of the test. You answer by just touching the screen over the correct answer.
You may return to any of the questions and change any answers you wish to in the
57 minute time scale you are allotted for this part of the theory test.
The Hazard Perception Test is the second part of the test and consists
of 14 individual video clips, 13 clips contain one major developing hazard and one
clip contains two. This part of the test is to assess your ability to see the hazardous
situations and your response to these hazards. You identify them by clicking the
mouse; the quicker you respond, the higher the mark. You must obtain a mark 44 out
of a possible 75 to pass this part of the test.
You can see more detailed information about the theory and hazard perception tests
here.
You take your theory test independently and can book online at
the
DSA Online Booking Service or phone 0300 200 1122. Have your licence number
and credit card details with you. If you do not have a credit/debit card you can
apply by post with an application formed obtained from your local theory or practical
test centre.
The current Theory Test Fee is £31.00
You can study for your Theory Test online at Driving Theory 4 All
This site also offers a package deal where you can book your test and purchase a
subscription at the same time.
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The
Practical Driving Test
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Your practical 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.
Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of
driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.
The 3 parts consist of:
- The Eyesight Check
- Before starting the test, the examiner will ensure your eyesight meets the minimum
legal requirements
- Vehicle Safety Questions (Show Me, Tell Me)
- Once the eyesight check has been passed and you have led your examiner to the car,
he or she will ask you two questions. One is a 'show me' question, the other 'tell
me'.
One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one minor fault being
recorded. More information on the questions can be found here.
- The Drive
- The driving part of the practical test lasts about 40 minutes. Throughout the test
the examiner will be looking for an overall safe drive, including when you are carrying
out the set exercises. During the test the examiner will give you instructions which
you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will
involve a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
- 15 driving faults can be made (16 or more results in a fail). If you commit one
or more serious or dangerous faults you will fail the test.
More information about the practical test can be found here.
You can book online at
the
DSA Online Booking Service or phone 0300 200 1122. Have your licence number
and credit card details with you. If you do not have a credit/debit card you can
apply by post with an application formed obtained from your local theory or practical
test centre.
The current Practical Test Fees are: £62.00
Weekdays or £75.00
Saturdays
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Things to note
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- The written and the hazard perception tests have to be passed at the same time to
obtain a pass certificate and you will be told your results at the end of your tests.
- If you have any special needs. i.e. dyslexia or other reading difficulties, headsets
can be provided and the questions spoken to you. Or if you wish to take your theory
test in a language other than English, please express this at the time of booking
so arrangements can be made for you.
- When attending your theory test you will need to take both parts (card and paper
part) of your licence with you as proof of ID. Without these you will not be allowed
to sit the test.
- The theory and practical test must be passed within a two year period or you will
need to retake your theory and hazard parts again.
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