Knowledge Centre
Our Knowledge Centre is here to provide answers to the most common questions asked by people who want to start learning to drive. We hope you find it useful.
There are many reasons why some people find learning to drive difficult here are some of the main reasons.
It is often the first time you try to control something with your feet. Many problems with car control are with the pedals, its is often the reason many learners are seen "Kangarooing" down the road.
To understand why this happens take a moment to think what have you done with your feet prior to starting to learn to drive?
Walking, running, jumping and kicking are the main activities, all big movements. Therefore, your brain only associates your feet with hard forceful movements and that is why you slam the gas and brakes on, jump right off the clutch and go "kangarooing" off down the the road!
Learning to control the pedals to within the thickness of a £1 coin with your feet is very difficult to do, especially with shoes and socks on too!
This can be made easier by having very thin soled shoes on adn having your feet in the correct positions is vital.
A good driving instructor will ensure your your feet are correctly positioned and advice on footwear from the start of your lessons. Paying great detail to these points in the beginning will pay dividends later and help you to learn easier and faster
Before you book a driving lesson you will need to have you Provisional Driving Licence. You do not need to have passed your theory test.
You can apply for your driving licence online at this link Driving Licence Application
Once you have your licence you can then book a driving lesson.
Try to book a local driving school with good reputation.
Once booked the driving instructor will pick you up usually from your home, college or work.
Driving lessons are usually 1 or 2 hours in length but can also be 1.5 hours depending on instructors diary and your availability. Lessons over 2 hours are not really advisable as your concentration will drop considerably after 2 hours.
If you have never driven before and are unable to have driving practice with family or friends in between your lessons you will on average need 40-45 hours tuition.
During the duration of your learning to drive period you should pass your theory test.
Once this is passed you have 2 years to pass your practical test. You also need to pass your theory test to apply for your practical test.
You should apply for your practical driving test when your driving instructor advises you to.
On the day of the test your instructor usually picks you up 1 hour before the test for a "Pre Test" lesson. This enables you to warm up and go over any final points. You will then arrive in the Driving Test Centre about 10 minutes before you test start time.
You will then meet the examiner and go on the driving test with them.
Test will last about 40-45 minutes when you will arrive back in test centre and be given the result.
The amount of driving lessons it takes to learn to drive can vary depending on various factors such as the individual's natural abilities, how frequently they practice, and the complexity of the driving environment. However, on average, it takes about 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice to become a safe and confident driver.
To pass the driving test, you must demonstrate safe and responsible driving skills in a variety of scenarios, including driving on different types of roads, navigating intersections and roundabouts, and performing basic manoeuveres such as parallel parking. It's essential to get plenty of practice, listen to your instructor's feedback, and focus on driving safely and responsibly.
You will be required be able to demonstrate your ability to:
Move off on a hill
Move off from behind a parked car
Carry out a controlled stop
Pull over on right side of road, reverse back two car lengths and move off again
Pull up along side a car and park behind it
Reverse into a car park space
Drive forward into a carpark space and reverse out.
Follow direction signs or a Sat Nav.
When moving off on a hill the car should move away under control and safely. This means it should not roll back at all and you should move away without affecting another road user.
To do this use a routine called the P.O.M Routine
P is Preparation
O is Observation
M is Move away
Preparation should follow this this set of actions.
- Clutch Down
- Select 1st gear
- Place left hand on hand brake
- Right hand on steering wheel
- Right foot by gas pedal
- Raise clutch to bite
- Increase gas
- Check all around
- Release hand bark when safe to go.
If you follow this method you will have full control on the car and you will move away without affecting any other road user.
You can start learning to drive on the road in the UK from your 17th birthday. There is an exception to this in that you can start at 16 years old if you are receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
If you want to start on your 17th it is best to apply for your Provisional Driving Licence early. The earliest you can do his is from 15 years and 9 months. It will have a start date for Category B as your 17th birttday.
The most common reason for driving test failure is Junction Observations. Pulling out of a side road on to a main without taking effective observations is always the most common driving test fail fault. In my opinion this often happens because the pupil is unable to control the car finely enough to get into a position to make the effective observation.
The second most common fault usually ineffective use of mirrors, usually when changing direction. This often occurs when swapping lanes in multi lane situations such as larger roundabouts.
To drive a car, ride a moped, motorbike or operate any other vehicle on UK roads you have to first obtain a "Provisional Driving Licence"
To obtain a provisional licence you must
- Be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months old
- Have been given permission to live in the United Kingdom for at least 185 days
You will have to pay £34 (£43 if applying by post) if applying online using this link APPLY FOR UK PROVISIONAL LICENCE
You will also need an identity document and an address where you have lived for up to last 3 years.
Many people think they are ready to take their driving test when in fact they are driving well below the standard.
The best way to know when you are ready for your driving test is to have a series of Mock Tests throughout your driving lessons.
In our NRDS plan we structure in 4 mock test. One after each section is finished. This way we prepare our pupils for independent driving from the early stages of their learning.
Here are a few pointers that you may find useful to know if you are ready:
- Do you find yourself still looking at the gearstick when changing gear? This is a sure sign your not ready.
- Are you able to drive through a busy area without any help, verbal or physical from your instructor or supervising driver?
- Can you follow road signs and markings to a destination without ANY HELP from your instructor or supervising driver?
- Can you perform Hill Starts, Angled Starts, Emergency Stops and ALL the parking manoeuvres without any help?
- Can you independently enter a dual carriageway , keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you and overtake?