Nippers
School of Motoring
01255 435682
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General Information
Eyesight
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.
How To Obtain Your Provisional Licence
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 are registered disabled).
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 your 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
These 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.
Theory Test
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.
Hazard Perception Test
This 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.
For more detailed information about the theory and hazard perception tests, click here.
Booking A Theory Test
You take your theory test independently and can
book online at the
DSA Online
Booking Service or phone 0870 01 01 372. 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.
Theory Test Fee: £30.00
Practical Test
The practical driving test is comprised of 3 parts:
The Eyesight Check
Before starting the test, the examiner will ensure your eyesight meets the minimum legal requirements. See here for details.
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. See show me tell me questions.
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.
Practical Test Fee: £56.50 Weekdays or £67.00 Saturdays
Things to note
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The written and the hazard perception test 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
For any further information about our courses, please call the office on:
01255 435682
