Learning to Drive 

To get started 

  • You must hold a valid, signed provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland. 
  • You must be able to read in good daylight with glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them), a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres (about 67 feet). 
  • You must be medically fit to drive. If you are taking any medication, check with your doctor you are safe to drive. 
  • On your driving lessons remember to wear suitable shoes. High heels, slippery or wide soles or shoes that can easily fall off can be dangerous. 

Driving Licence

  • Currently in the UK you have to be 17 years of age to obtain a provisional licence to drive a car (unless in receipt of a full disability allowance, when you can obtain a provisional licence at the age of 16 years).
  • You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you have ever had, or currently suffer from a medical condition that may affect your vehicle control.
  • You can apply for a provisional driving licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The application form (form D1) can be obtained from your local Post Office.

The Theory Test

The theory test is made up of two parts; multiple choice and hazard perception.

The Theory Test

  • The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse.
  • You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one and fail the other you will fail the whole test, and you will need to take both parts again.
  • The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 43 out of 50.

Hazard Perception

  • The hazard perception part is delivered on a computer and you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature everyday road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.
  • The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

 

The Practical Driving Test

This will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). You'll also be asked two vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the 'show me, tell me' questions. You’ll be asked the ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving and the ‘show me’ question while you’re driving answer one or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways. The examiner will give you directions that you should follow.

You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

  • normal stops at the side of the road
  • pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
  • a hill start

The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
  • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

You’ll have to drive independently for about 20 minutes by following either:

  • directions from a sat nav
  • traffic signs

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise. A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes.

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. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

 

Ria Fleming Driving Tuition

riaflemingdrivingtuition@gmail.com

07379 327788

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