We realise learning to drive can seem quite complicated, with all the forms you need to fill out and other stuff you have to remember. Don't worry - we've created this page to give you everything you need to know about getting hold of your provisional licence and starting your driving lessons, followed by the steps you then need to follow to apply for and ultimately pass your test. We've also included useful links to the sites you can click through to, when applying for both your licence and your test. We hope you'll find the info useful!
First things first, before you can even get into a car and start learning to drive, you have to get hold of a provisional driving licence.
To apply for this, you must complete the application form D1 that's available from either the 'Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service', or from your local Post Office. Alternatively you can now apply for a provisional licence online. Visit www.direct.gov.uk and follow the directions. It takes about 4 weeks for your application to be processed and for your licence to be sent to you - so if you want to start learning to drive as soon as you hit 17, make sure you apply early!
Recommended study materials
We currently offer these free to all of our students
The Highway Code
is essential reading for everybody learning to drive. It contains all of the rules and regs that relate to driving in the UK. As a driver, it's your duty to know these rules - and remember if you don't abide by them, you'll be breaking the law and could end up being prosecuted. This could lead to you losing your licence, so it's worth getting to know what's what!
We recommend that you also read “Essential Skills”, a DSA publication. This book is about the skills of driving a car and will help new drivers with their practical driving lessons.
Your Theory Test
The theory test is made up of two parts; a multiple choice section and a Hazard Perception test. The multiple choice bit is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse, while the hazard perception test records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.
You'll need to pass both parts to successfully complete your theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other, you'll fail the whole test, and will have to take both parts again.
You can book your Theory test through the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) website or the 1st Time Pass Team arrange it for you.
Applying for Your Practical Driving Test
OK, so you've had all your driving lessons and you're ready to go - what next?
You need to apply to take your test with your local DSA centre. You can do this online from the DSA website , but we strongly recommend you don't apply for your test until your Red Instructor thinks you're ready. Your 1st Time Pass Driving Instructor can also arrange your test date for you, if you want them to.
The Practical Driving Test
Before you do any driving you'll be asked to perform an eyesight check and then be asked some vehicle safety questions. You'll then be tested on your general driving ability, including two reversing exercises.
The 'Driving' part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for evidence you've reached an overall safe standard of driving, as you carry out both general and specific manoeuvres. You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass the test, but 16 or more minor faults results in a fail. However, if you commit just one serious or dangerous fault, you'll fail the test automatically.
You must bring the following items with you to the test. If you don't, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee
An appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L- Plates, that's suitable for the test - don't worry our 1st Time Pass Driving School cars are perfect for the job and readily available!
The appropriate theory test pass certificate.
Your appointment letter confirming your test time and date
Both parts of your photo card licence. If you don't take both parts of your licence, your test will not take place and you'll lose your fee
If you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driving licence and separate approved photo identification with you
APPLYING FOR THE FULL DRIVING LICENCE
Congratulations you passed!
You can now get out on the road. Don't forget that you now need to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and exchange your test pass certificate and provisional driving licence for a new 'Full' driving licence as soon as possible.
Start learning with 1st time Pass Driving School and take advantage of our introductory offer.
1st Lesson for ONLY £9.99*
Simply submit your details on contact us page.
Latest News
Taking your practical driving test
1st time pass top ten tips for accompanying a learner driver
Links
We have collected a lot of useful links below - we think we have managed to cover pretty much everything but if we have missed anything let us know and we will add it!
Drugs and Driving ...
Tackling the menace of dangerous drivers
A page about the dangers of driving and taking drugs.
For My Girlfriend
FAQ's
What is the best way to learn?
With today's busy sometimes dangerous roads, learner drivers cannot afford to learn in a haphazard way.
An experienced driver will have a mixture of knowledge, judgment and manipulative skills. To achieve these the learner will need good instruction, and plenty of it.
The official recommendation from the Driving Standards Agency or DSA is to learn with an approved driving instructor or ADI. Statistics show 99% of all learners will have learnt to drive with a driving instructor, with good reasons for doing so.
A proper system or just practice?
The principal skills needed for driving can be learnt relatively quickly. What is more difficult is the ability to make repeated judgments and decisions in traffic.
A relative or friend will probably not have the experience needed to teach this, but they can help with extra practice.
Hourly lessons or an intensive course?
Lessons taken once a week are usually too little making it difficult for students to make real progress. Add extra lessons and your learning will become easier
Intensive driving courses are regarded as the fastest way to learn. Courses are popular because tuition can be taken over days enabling everything learnt to remain fresh in the mind, and because the driving test is arranged with the course you could learn and pass the test and be driving on your own in just a week instead of taking many months of weekly lessons.
Where can I find a driving school?
The Yellow Pages, Thomson’s Directory or local newspapers advertise driving schools. Recommendation from a friend is another good avenue. Use the Internet a number of schools will be listed.
What do I look for in a driving school?
Good driving schools will show a genuine pride in their training standard and how they present themselves to you the customer.
Tuition you receive should be structured to help you learn quickly and safely enabling you to have confidence in your own driving ability.
Look for evidence of a proper course plan with structure and method to the tuition.
Tuition is more effective when organized.
How do I choose the right driving instructor?
The price of tuition should never be taken as the most important factor.
Choose quality of tuition over price every time. Don't expect a good instructor for the price a cheap instructor charges.
Cheap prices often means more lessons.
Look for an instructor who offers excellent instruction. If you do this it will cost less in the end Choosing a Driving Instructor
What is the difference between a Qualified and Trainee Instructor
Qualified instructors have passed all their exams and have been added to the DSA's register for approved driving instructors. A Trainee instructor will still be undergoing training, and still to pass their exams
A RED licence for a Trainee Instructor
A GREEN licence is a Qualified Instructor
Look for their licence in the front window
I have heard of a guaranteed pass What is it?
Guaranteed pass courses that some driving schools offer sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Well you're right.
The Guaranteed Pass is a ploy used by some driving schools to entice you to learn with them. Their guarantee offer at best is for a few hours of tuition only. Most of these driving schools don't expect you to take up this offer; if you do you will have to return to them some months later..
How much tuition will I need?
Research by the the Department for Transport shows that a learner taking regular weekly tuition will on average need 45 hours of professional tuition to reach the standard required for the driving test, some will need more.
Regular tuition is assumed to be that the learner is taking 2 - 4 hours professional tuition a week with lots of extra private practice with parents where available.
Learning for some will be easy and natural. They can't understand what the fuss is about. But for others learning to drive will prove to be a harder task.
There are five general learner categories all learners will fall into one of them.
Outstanding,
Fast,
Average,
Below Average
Slow.
By using a number of components an estimate can be given as to the tuition that each type of learner would normally look to take.
The components:
1. How many driving lessons will you take each week -
Answer: More lessons a week will mean less lessons
2. Does the learner have previous driving experience -
Answer: Motorbike riders have extra road sense
3. Whether extra practice is taken outside of lessons -
Answer: Can you practice with your family/friends
4. The quickness in remembering what has been taught -
Answer: Read driving books they improve memory
5. The learners age when taking lessons
Answer: From 17 the sooner you start the quicker learning will be
What is a Pass Plus Course?
Pass Plus is a great way for a newly qualified driver to gain extra experience for today's busy roads and save you money when insuring your car for the first time Pass Plus.
Pass Plus rounds off newly qualified drivers so that they are better prepared to take to the roads on their own, and are attuned to the motorway and night driving.
Insurance companies have seen a reduction in accidents involving young drivers who have taken the Pass Plus course. To show their suport many are giving up to 30% off to the new driver when insuring their car who completed the Pass Plus course. Savings of £600 are being made by these drivers
Call us on 01634 682 813 or Text 'Lessons' to 07737 164 443 and we will call you back usually within 15 mins.
