Driving Lessons in Newcastle Gateshead areas - Driving schools in Rowlands Gill - Driving Instructors in High Spen for driving lessons, intensive courses and semi intensive courses.

Test Preparation

If you are a learner driver you must pass your theory test before you book your practical test. To prepare the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recommend that all candidates study the Highway Code.

Theory Test Preparation

To prepare for both parts of the theory test it is recommend that all candidates, regardless of driving experience, use the material that is available. This material is available from most high street book shops and from the DSA official online bookstore - the link below will take you to the DSA bookstore website. With your first theory test booking confirmation letter, DSA send you a DVD called "Are you ready?" which you should watch as this explains the process of taking the theory test. Remember, only go for your Theory Test once you are scoring 50 out of 50 for the multiple choice questions and scoring high on the hazard perception, aiming any lower you will only be simply wasting your time and money so good luck and get revising.

Practical Test Preparation

An average person with none/little driving experience could take from 55 hours to 85 hours to pass their test. Obviously this can change from person to person. Learners that have had plenty private practice with a combination of professional training do better in the test. Throughout training, the minimum of 3 mock driving tests will assess your progress showing where extra help maybe needed. This can also show you what to expect for the real driving test. The final stage of training is the Independent Driving Section, aiming for goal of driving and decision making independently with no assistance. Once feeling 100% comfortable and in control, the driving test is taken.

The Driving Test

The day of your test you would have an hour and half lesson before your test to get warmed up and ready, then drive to the test centre. Once there you would wait to meet your examiner, then they would accompany you to your car, start with an eyesight check and then 2 vehicle safety questions. The driving part of your test will last about 38-40 minutes which will include 1 specific manoeuvre and maybe an emergency stop exercise. You will also be tested on independent driving as part of the practical driving test. During your test you will have to drive for about ten minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both. To help you understand where you're going, the examiner may show you a diagram. It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. Remember... Control - Observations - Accuracy. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. Practice makes perfect!

Useful Links