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What do I need to do before I start driving?Unless you are in receipt of higher rate mobility allowance, you need to be at least 17 years of age and be in possesion of a valid provisional driving licence. If you haven't got your licence yet, click hereor obtain from D1 from you local post office. Note that it is cheaper to do it online. You must also be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, so if you are in any doubt, consult an optician.
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Can I start driving lessons before I've passed my Theory test?Yes of course. All you need is a valid provisional driving licence. See here to apply if you haven't got one already
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How many hours will I need?This is probably the most common question we get asked and the simple answer is - we have absolutely no idea and anyone that does give you a figure is guessing! We (and any other driving instructor/school) need to see how you pick up the guidance you are given; everyone is an individual and individuals learn at different rates. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (the people who conduct the test) recommend a minimum of 45 hours professional tuition and at least 20 hours of private practice. Learning to drive is not quick and easy, and remember you are learning a skill that one day may save your life; think about how long it took you to learn to swim? Do you really want to cut corners?
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Can I do more than one lesson a week?Yes, you can do as many lessons a week as you like providing your instructor can fit them into his/her diary. Our receommended lesson length is one and a half hours - long enough to get some good practice in but not so long that you lose concentration. Surprising as it may sound, you'l probably get just as much (if not more) from one longer lesson than two short ones
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How will I know when I'm ready for my test?If you can't drive for an hour without your instructor telling you what to do (apart from minor guidance), you aren't ready for your driving test. On your test, the examiner willnot give you ANY guidance at all - you are on your own! Don't feel pressured by anyone else saying things like "Haven't you put in for your test yet?" People tend to forget very quickly how long t took them to pass their driving test and how many lessons thay actually took - they may have learned 25 years or more ago when the driving test was a very different animal to what it is now and their lessons may well have been two hours or more long. Your instructor is a trained professional who sees many learners each week, and is in the perfect position to make a decision as to when you are ready. Please respect your instructors decision; we can't stop you taking your test whenever you want but we can withhold our cars if we don't think you are ready
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What do I need to do to go driving with someone other than my driving instructor?You must obey the following rules: 1. The person supervising you must be at least 21 years of age and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years 2. The car must display regulation L plates to both front and rear, and these should be removed when the learner is not driving. 3. The car must be insured for you to drive as a learner driver. Click below for details of cover Your supervising driver should also be aware of the following advice: 1. Give instructions and directions well in advance, and ensure they are clear and specific. 2. Use an additional interior mirror so that the supervising driver can also see what is behind. 3. Plan a route that is within the capabilities of the learner. At this point it is perhaps pertinent to mention that only an Approved Driving Instructor using a car with dual controls is allowed to take a leaner driver on the motorway. 4. Read the Highway Code and be conversant with the up to date rules. 5. Do not alter anything that the driving instructor has taught the learner, however much you think it is wrong. Things have changed a lot recently and you may not be as up to date as the driving instructor will be. This book gives excellent advice - click the image to go to Amazon Bookstore
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What car will I take my driving test in?Quite simply - in your instructors car, the one you've been learning in. You can, however, use your own car if you've got one and would prefer that but you must ensure: 1. Your insurance covers you for a driving test (which is different to just learning in the car) 2. The car has a valid MOT certificate 3. You have proper L plates front and rear 4. You provide an internal mirror for the examiner to use
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