What To Expect On Your First Lesson

 

For a new driver there is a lot to take in before you even start the engine. I need 2 hours with you so I can get you driving for an hour on your first lesson.

If you have driven before I need 2 hours with you so I can make a full assessment on you and work out the best way forward to a test standard.

PASS PLUS

This is a training program for newly qualified drivers. It's much more than just a few extra lessons. It is a specially designed course by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Bear in mind that it will take a minimum of six hours, all of which need to be taken after passing your test. If more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost. The benefits to you include -

 

• gain valuable driving experience safely you will be taught how to deal with a wide range of road and traffic situations, many of which you may not have faced before. 
• build on your existing skills and knowledge. It can take years to become a skilled driver. PASS PLUS helps get you there by speeding up the learning process under expert tuition.
• reduce your risk of being in a road crash the course will help boost your awareness of all kinds of hazards and help you learn how to anticipate, plan for and deal with them safely.
• save money on car insurance premiums. When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course. Click here for the PASS PLUS web-site.
• boost your confidence - if you feel nervous driving on your own, the PASS PLUS training can help you become more confident on the roads..
• give peace of mind to your loved ones.

  PASS PLUS consists of six practical modules which cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. You can take it at any time within the first 12 month of passing your test.

There is no test at the end of it – your driving will be continually assessed and you must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an  achieved or exceeded standard:

achieved–successfully reached the standard required for each of the competencies.

exceeded–exceeded the required standard for each of the competencies.

 

In exceptional circumstances, if a module can't be done on the road it will be covered in a theory session. The highest level you can reach is 'achieved' as you've not been able to demonstrate the relevant practical skills.

Theory test

Theory of driving is the most neglected aspect of learning to drive but is the most important one in terms of road safety and is the foundation of good driving skills.

Theory lessons can be given, however home learning is necessary , reading the Highway Code and practicing the hazard perception clips at your own pace will give you a much better understanding, and will help in passing the theory test.more>>>

The theory test must be passed before the driving test can be applied for.

The pass mark is 43 out of 50 multiple choice questions in 57 minutes.

Hazard perception

This part of the theory test requires you to view 14 hazard video clips on the computer screen of approximately one minute each. You are required to watch these clips as if you were the driver. There will be 15 hazards to find - at least one on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards. You click the mouse button whenever you think you can see a hazard developing. The speed at which you click the mouse button as a hazard develops will determine your score for that particular hazard clip. You can score between 0 and 5 on each hazard. Therefore the maximum you can score is 75 (i.e. 15 hazards x 5). To pass you need a score of 44.

 

Photocard driving licence holder

Applying at the test centre

If your photocard driving licence was issued after 1 March 2004, you’ll be given the option to have your full licence issued electronically. The examiner will take your licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to DVLA.

You’ll be given a pass certificate, as proof of passing, and DVLA will send your full licence to you within four weeks of you passing your practical test.

Applying by post

·      complete the declaration on your test pass certificate

·       send it, together with both parts of your driving licence (photocard and counterpart), document to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ

If your name has changed since your last licence you'll also need to:

·         complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, which is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office® branches

·         provide original documentation confirming your new name

Renewing the photo on your licence

You'll also need to check the expiry date of your photo on your driving licence. If your photo is due to expire very soon, it'll need to be renewed before the date of expiry. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence.

Beware of the time limit!

If you don't claim your test pass within two years of the date of your test, the driving entitlement in which you gained the test pass will be lost. You'll have to take and pass both parts of the driving test again for that category of vehicle if you wish to have it included on your driving licence.