ADVICE FOR LEARNING TO DRIVE
APPLYING FOR A PROVISIONAL LICENCE
You cannot start to learn to drive a car until your provisional driving licence has been accepted and is in your possession. You are allowed to apply for your licence up to 2 months before your licence is due to start. But you are not allowed to drive on the road until your licence has arrived and not until you have turned 17. To apply you will need to fill in an application form, which you can get from most post offices – it is a D1 form.
You can apply by post, please click on the logo’s below for more information:
Why learn to drive with Spruce School of Motoring?
- Learn to drive in a new Mini Cooper. Dual controlled, easy to drive diesel
- I am an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) well established since 1997. Member of Institute of Advanced Motorist (IAM) Car & Motorbike
- I am very patient, reliable & believe that driving lessons should be productive, relaxed and enjoyable
I am a fully qualified instructor and have signed up to both the voluntary code of conduct and to continuing professional development. ADIs also go through regular assessments to make sure that they are teaching to the required standard.
As a member of the DIA I am covered for all public liability and am kept up to date with all constant changes within the industry.
The First Lesson
Generally, the first lesson will be spent on quiet roads learning the basics of the car. If you already know how to do this then just tell me, but if you don’t, I will explain how various part of the car work e.g. brake, clutch, accelerator, gearstick, handbrake, indicators, and lights. I will show you how to start the car, move off and drive around quiet roads learning how to handle the vehicle. You will be smiling by the end of the lesson.
Driving with parents
A lot of people will want to drive outside of lessons, but be aware that things will have changed a lot since your parents passed and they may inadvertently teach you their bad driving habits. If you want to drive your parent’s car on public roads, you will need to be insured to drive it, display L plates on the car and can only drive with a sober over 21 who has held a full licence for 3 or more years.
Learning to drive
The DVSA quote that it takes about 47 hours on average for people to learn to drive, but some people take less time and some people take more. 47 hours tuition can be quite expensive, so if you can get practice in private, do so.
During the lessons you will learn all the things that you need to pass your test. You will learn how to turn left and right, deal with big junctions, learn how to tackle roundabouts, dual carriageways, country roads, busier roads etc. You will also learn the manoeuvres needed for your test, which are:
- Turn in the road, commonly known as three-point turn
- Parallel or reverse park
- Reverse around a corner
- Controlled Stop
- Bay Park
Manoeuvres
There are 4 manoeuvres that you will need to learn. You will also learn how to carry out a controlled stop. There is the turn in the road, reverse round the corner, Parallel Park, and a bay park.
The most important thing with all of these really is to take them slowly so that you have time to correct things if they start to go wrong, and to do plenty of observations. I have put some information about each one.
Bay Parking
Since 5th May 1999 you may be asked to do the reverse park exercise as a reversing into a parking bay at the driving test car park.
If you are asked to reverse into a parking bay, you can usually choose whether to reverse from the right or the left.
Reverse parking into a bay must be carried out at the test centre at the start or end of the test.
The examiner on the driving test will expect you to do your bay parking:
- Safely
- Under control
- Making proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering without crossing the white bay marking
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:
- Are aware of other road users
- Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre
Turn in the road
This is a useful turn in cul-de-sac and roads where there are no side turning or opening to reverse into.
The examiner on the driving test will expect you to turn your car around in the road:
- Safely
- Smoothly
- Under control
- Making proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering without touching or mounting the kerb
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:
- Are aware of other road users
- Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre
Reverse around a corner
The examiner on the test will expect you to reverse:
- Safely
- Smoothly
- Under control
- Keeping reasonably close to the kerb
- Without mounting or hitting the kerb
- Without swinging out too wide
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:
- Check traffic and road conditions
- Look out for traffic and pedestrians
- Stop in a safe position
Parallel or reverse park
This takes advantage of a car’s manoeuvrability when driving in reverse gear. When doing this you will be something of an obstacle, so use of the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine is important. It is also vital to keep a look-out for passing traffic.
The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:
- Reverse into a space of about two car lengths
- Park your car at the kerb safely, smoothly and under control
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:
- Take all-round observation
- Do not get too close to the parked car
- Do not mount the kerb
- Stop reasonably close to the kerb
Controlled Stop
Throughout your driving test your aim will be to slow down in good time and pull up gently, except in the controlled stop exercise, which will show your competence in taking immediate and effective action.
The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:
- Stop the car promptly
- Keep the car under control without locking the wheels
- Stop the car in the shortest possible distance
- Stop the car without endangering other road users
Theory Test
You can take your theory test if you are aged 17+ and possess a valid provisional licence. If you pass the test, your certificate will only be valid for 2 years, so it’s best to take it as you are learning to drive or will be starting fairly soon afterwards. The test is often easier if you have had some driving lessons prior to taking it as you will already be aware of basic rules of the road, signage and road markings and will have begun to develop some sense of hazard awareness.
The theory test currently costs £25, which is usually paid online.
There are two parts to the test, a set of multiple choice questions (pass mark 43/50) and a hazard perception test (pass mark 44/75).
click on the YouTube link below:
How to pass the theory test official DVSA guide »
Hazard Perception
In this section, you will be shown a number of video clips which depict at least one hazard. The objective is to click whenever you see the hazard developing. A hazard is something which would typically cause you to change your speed or direction while driving e.g. a parked car, wet roads, children running across the street and so on.
You should avoid clicking too much, or in a pattern as this can cause you to fail. Click when you see a hazard ahead and then again when you get closer to it. For example, you are coming up to a parked car, click. Now, a number of different situations can develop e.g. the car may move away or someone could open the door etc. When you get closer to it, click again to signify you have recognised these situations.
Practical Test
Driving Test Tips:
You cannot book this until you have taken and passed your theory test, you must then take it within 2 years of this as your theory certificate will expire. Talk to me about when you think you should book it. You will need my ADI number to book your test.
It is currently £62.00 for a weekday test and £75 for a weekday evening or Saturday test.
Official DVSA car practical test – are you ready? Link below:
Practical test preparation video »
Practical driving test for cars »
Show Me, Tell Me Questions
Since 1st September 2003 the examiner has asked candidates 2 “show me/tell me” questions at the start of the driving test.
Should the candidate fail to answer either one or both questions correctly, this would be assessed as 1 driving fault and would not therefore constitute a reason for failing the test in its own right.
A candidate will have to either SHOW or EXPLAIN how to do simple maintenance tasks.
At the start of the practical test the Examiner will ask the pupil a ‘Tell Me’ question, for example “Tell me how you would check the headlights and tail lights are working”. This would be followed by a ‘Show Me’ question, for example “Show me how you would check the horn is working”.
A candidate will not FAIL a Driving Test for a wrong answer however they will get ONE Driving Fault if they are wrong. This test will be included inside the existing time limit for the practical test which means less time spent out on the road.
Car ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions »
Please contact us if you have any questions