It may seem like a long, daunting road to becoming a driver, but it does not have to be difficult! To help, we have put together the ultimate guide on what you need to know about passing your driving test. There is no reason to panic before your first driving lesson. Keep reading to find out what documents are needed prior to starting driving lessons. We have also compiled a list of the most helpful tips found online to help prepare for your driving lessons.
Jump to:
1. Provisional Licence
2. Starting the Lessons
3. Theory Test
4. Practical Test
5. Top Tips
Provisional Licence
Before thinking about starting your driving lessons, you need to have a provisional driver’s licence. This licence means you can drive in a car with an instructor OR someone who is over the age of twenty-one and has been driving for at least 3 years.
To apply for a provisional licence, you need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old, and have the following:
• A form of ID (e.g. Passport)
• National Insurance Number
• Address History for 3 years prior
It is also a requirement to be able to read a number plate from twenty metres away. There will be a fee of £34.00 to pay for the provisional licence – payable by credit/debit card. From the age of sixteen, the provisional can be used to ride a moped or quad bike, however you will need to be the age of seventeen before getting behind the wheel of a car.
Starting the Lessons
Starting driving lessons is a huge step, it is important to make sure you are learning with the right instructor. One way to find an instructor is to ask family and friends who they would recommend, this way you may be more comfortable knowing someone who has learned with them.
Another way to find an instructor is through the Government website. Here you will find approved instructors, schools and lessons all in one place. If you want to check an instructor who does not have a listing on their website, you can also contact them.
Once an instructor has been chosen, you can move on to the actual lessons. Usually, instructors recommend 2 hours per week, but if you would prefer to do more or less, speak with your instructor. On average, a learner driver needs 45 hours of driving lessons and 20 hours of practice outside of their lessons. However, this is based on an average number, some people may require additional support or less support.
Theory Test
To book the driving test, a theory test pass certification is required. The theory test is designed to assess driving knowledge and hazard perception. The cost of the theory test is £23.00 which can be booked on the Government website, the amount is payable by credit/debit card. In the first part, there are fifty multiple choice questions to go through – a score of forty-three out of the fifty is needed to pass this section. Once the first section has been completed, it is on to the Hazard Perception Test. There are video clips played; where the mouse must be clicked every time there is a hazard. The total mark available is seventy-five, a score of forty-four is needed to pass this section.
Both sections must be completed with the correct scores to receive your theory test certificate. Most driving instructors will advise to have the theory test booked around 14 hours in (unless already complete) to ensure you are prepared to book the practical.
Practical Test
Next, is the main event, the Driving Test. Once your instructor has advised you are ready for the driving examination, you book it via the Government website here. To book this, your Driving Licence Number and a debit/credit card is needed – there is also a £62 fee to pay.
On the day of the test, go prepared with the Theory Test pass certificate and Provisional Driving Licence. The test takes an estimated 40 minutes to complete and includes the following sections:
• Sight Check: As you walk outside the test centre, the examiner will ask you to read a number plate from twenty metres away to ensure your eyesight falls within the legal requirements. If the number plate cannot be read, the test will be stopped, and you will have to get your eyes assessed before being allowed to retake the test.
• Show me, tell me questions: Next, the examiner will ask two ‘tell me’ questions. These will be focused on the subject, vehicle checks. Questions could include: “Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey” or “tell me how you would check the brake lights are working on this car”.
Whilst driving, the examiner will also ask a ‘show me’ question. Questions could include – “when it is safe to do so, can you show me how you would operate the horn”.
The full list of show me, tell me questions can be found on the Gov website. If any of the questions are answered wrong, this will be classed as a minor fault.
• Driving Ability: For this part of the test, a set of instructions are given by the examiner on the directions to go in. All road types and driving conditions are to be covered in this part. However, the test does not require any motorway driving. During this section, you will also be instructed to pull over and pull away safely. An Emergency Stop may also need to be conducted.
• Reversing your vehicle: During the test, you will be asked to carry out one of the following manoeuvres - a Parallel Park, Bay Park, or you will be asked to pull up on the right-hand side of the road and reverse two car lengths, then re-join the traffic once completed.
• Independent Driving: For the last section, drivers may be asked to drive for around 20 minutes following either a Sat Nav or traffic signs. But do not panic if a wrong turn is taken! The examiner will help put the route back on the right track.
Up to fifteen minor driving faults can be accrued (but no more than two in the same category) but any more than that and it will be a failure. If a fault is made that is labelled as a dangerous fault (also known as a major), you will not pass your test. Once the test has ended and you are back in the Test Centre, a pass or fail will be given along with some feedback.
Top Tips
Here are a couple of tips that may aid you in passing your driving test:
• Nerves are completely normal but do not let them get the better of you
• It is thought by some driving instructors that the two best times to choose for the driving test are 10:14am and 11:11am. This is because the roads can be quieter due to the morning rush hour being over and the lunch rush hour not quite started.
• Try and book a lesson with the instructor just before the test so you are warmed up
• Be confident but not too confident
• If at first you fail, try again!
We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident and ready for the test! If you have passed the test and are looking for a car that is great for newly passed drivers, check out the top four first cars to own for new drivers.