07811168837
WHEN CAN I START LEARNING TO DRIVE?
As long as you are 17 or older and have a provisional driving licence, you can start having driving lessons straight away. You should also start studying for your theory test straight away because you can’t book your practical test until you have passed the theory test. If you have a foreign licence, check the DVLA website to see what you need (link below).
HOW DO I GET A PROVISIONAL LICENCE?
You can apply for your first provisional licence from the DVLA website: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/ or you can pick up and fill in form D1 from the post office. You will need to send off proof of identity so in this case the second option is just as easy. The website or the form gives details. A provisional licence costs £50.00.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO LEARN?
The number of lessons you will need to get to the standard where you are likely to pass your test varies a lot between individuals but as a guide, if you are under 25 and of average ability it will probably take you 40-45 hours. If you are older it will usually take longer to learn and if you’re over 35 it could take considerably longer.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET MY LICENCE?
Although it seems like everyone can do it, it’s actually not easy and it’s not cheap to learn to drive. I charge £23.00 per hour.. most young people need 40 to 45 hours training. You also need to pay for your driving licence and for the theory and practical tests. If you work all that out you can say goodbye to nearly a thousand pounds. Older people will need more lessons to achieve the necessary standard so it will be even more expensive. The good news is that you don’t have to find all that money at once.. you can spread the process over as long a period as you need and although it’s not an efficient way to learn, you can even take breaks if you need to. Don’t look at these costs as the cost of a full licence, look at it as the cost of learning. The good news is that learning can be fun and driving is a vauable life skill.
DO YOU TEACH ME TO PASS THE THEORY TEST?
I’m always willing to help and advise but you won’t need my help. Just buy one of the CD ROMs available and you will be able to prepare for both parts of the theory test on your own and at your own pace. Books and DVDs are also available if you prefer. These items can be bought in bookshops or the DSAs own material is available from their website: http://www.dsa.gov.uk
From that website you can also practice the theory test online and when you’re ready you can book the test.
IS IT POSIBLE FOR YOU TO PICK ME UP FROM SCHOOL?
Yes of course that’s no problem I can pick you up and drop you off anywhere in the local area. You might be able to use this to save some money on taxi fares or to save time standing around at a bus stop!
CAN I DO AN INTENSIVE COURSE AND GET IT OVER AND DONE WITH REALLY QUICKLY?
There are many companies that offer Intensive courses. These are usually residential courses that take place in an area you don’t know. I would advise against them, I believe it is much better to learn more gradually in the area you live. I think the pass rate is likely to be low with these courses and if you fail are you going to go back to that area for the next attempt or are you going to have to learn your way around a new area? I would be reluctant to offer much more than 6-8 hours a week. I think you are likely to be a better, safer, more confident driver if you spread the learning over time. For most people I would recommend 2-4 hours a week.
Another point to bare in mind if you are taking your test locally is that before you even book your practical test you need to pass your theory. There will be a waiting time for both tests.. about 2 weeks for the theory and 7 for the practical, so already that leaves about 9 weeks to spread out your lessons.
Most people find it easier to budget for regular weekly lessons, rather than finding all that money at once for an intensive course.
Finally for most people learning to drive is a pleasant experience, not something they want to get “over and done with”!! I’VE HAD SOME LESSONS WITH ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR, IF I MOVE TO YOU WILL I HAVE TO START AGAIN? No not at all.. after a chat and an assessment we should be able to pick up where you left off. All instructors have different teaching styles and methods and you may need a little time to get used to mine.
IS IT EASIER TO LEARN IN AN AUTOMATIC?
Yes it is easier to learn to drive an automatic car than a car with manual gears. The downside is that when you pass the test, your licence will only allow you to drive automatics and this can be a real disadvantage. A licence for a manual car will allow you to drive both. Who knows what the future holds? In the future you may need to drive a manual car for your work, or if you move house you might want to hire a van, or maybe borrow someone else’s car if yours is being repaired, or maybe on holiday you want to hire a car and there is only a manual available. I’m sure that you can think of many other scenarios where you could regret learning in an automatic. I only teach people to drive a manual car. If you do find gears too difficult, the following links to local driving schools should help you to find an instructor for an automatic. http://www.driving-test-success.com or http://www.learnerstuff.co.uk
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT LEARNING TO DRIVE?
If so please email me on
ray1105@hotmail.co.uk
and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
WHAT ARE THE TWO PARTS OF THE THEORY TEST?
The theory test is done on a touch screen computer in the theory test centre (our local centre is in CMK). The test is in two parts; firstly you get 50 multiple choice questions (you need a score of over 42 to pass this section. Next comes the Hazard Perception (HP) part of the test where you watch 14 video clips from a driver’s point of view and click the mouse when you see a developing hazard. It’s quite fun.. a bit like a game.. but not quite GTA!
WHEN I’M READY DO YOU CARRY OUT THE PRACTICAL TEST?
No I’m an ADI not an Examiner. The practical test is done by an Examiner at the DSA test station (our local centre is in It’s a great idea to get extra practice if there is a car and a willing supervisor available and it can mean you will need fewer lessons. This is an option that less people are taking up these days.. partly because the cost of adding you to the insurance can be very high and also because many parents feel nervous or lack the confidence to supervise a learner driver. I think this is quite understandable.. as an experienced ADI I am used to helping you through the difficult situations that sometimes arise and besides my car has duel controls.. your Mum's does not! (I am going to write a little piece to help supervisors so please check back to this site if you are interested.) WHAT’S “PASS PLUS”? “Pass plus” is a short driving course with a more advanced syllabus, that you can choose to do after you have passed your test. It’s normally spread over 6 hours and includes some motorway driving. On my pass plus lessons you will also get to drive in new towns and experience different conditions than you did in lessons before your test. The aim is to improve the standard of your driving and experience to make you safer and to improve your confidence. Some insurance companies offer a discount to new drivers who have taken “Pass plus” and sometimes that discount can more than cover the cost of the lessons. Here is a link: http://www.passplus.org.uk with more details.
SOME OF MY FRIENDS PRACTICE IN THIER MUM'S CAR.. IS THAT OK?
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