Let us help you pass your driving test as quickly, and as cheaply, as possible. As we recognise professional driving lessons provided by quality driving schools are still essential our UK driving schools directory offers the widest possible choice of driving schools and instructors.

Below is detailed information on the UK driving test (how to book and pass practical driving test, why people fail etc) as well as tips on choosing driving schools and starting your driving lessons. Our practical test video lessons include parallel parking, bay parking and many more.

The UK Driving Test

Learning to drive and passing the driving test exists primarily as a road safety measure. It is designed to ensure all new drivers can drive safely and unaccompanied.

Passing the driving test and gaining a full UK driving licence can be a difficult and drawn-out affair. However:

Every year 1,000 people die in road traffic accidents involving a young driver, hence why cheap young drivers car insurance is a rarely realised promise.
Research shows that it takes 2 years from passing the practical driving test before a new driver's accident liability falls by less than 50%.
Under the New Drivers Act 1997 newly qualified drivers who receive 6 or more penalty points on their licence within 2 years of passing their driving test will have their licence revoked.
To get their licence back they'll first have to reapply for their provisional driving license, pay for even more driving lessons and then re-take the theory & practical driving test (dvd)

So be warned. The more driving lessons you receive (through driving schools, family or friends) the better. Learning to drive isn't easy. Driving is a skill that must be learnt. Yes people have different aptitudes for it but all learner drivers will benefit from professional driving lessons provided by competent instructors.

Get in as much driving practice as possible.
Experience as many driving situations as you can.
Drive at night, in the country, in town, on dual carriageways and in all weather conditions.

Driving variety and depth should be the main objectives of all learner drivers. This level of preparation will not only increase your chances of passing the practical and theory tests first time but will also save you money. Learner drivers car insurance.

Driving Lessons - Choosing Driving Schools

Learning to drive can be a complicated process. There are many driving schools in the UK. From national driving schools who cover most of the UK, to local, one-man-band driving instructors who provide driving lessons in a single area. Selecting the appropriate school from the vast array of driving schools that exist is not an exact science. One rule however always stands out - personal recommendation. Has a friend who is learning to drive had a good experience with a particular driving school? Were they happy with the service and driving lessons provided? If so, at the very least, it's a tick in their favour.

Questions To Ask The Driving School

Block booking student discount rates.
Pass rate - what percentage of pupils pass their driving test against those who fail.
Door to door service - will the instructor pick you up before then lesson then drop you off once finished?
Full hour lesson - will the lesson last a full hour or whatever duration you've paid for?
One to one tuition - just pupil and driving instructor in the car during the lesson? No other pupil in the back watching.
Does the driving school charge for use of the car during the driving test and if so, how much?
Do they offer free theory test tuition?
What is the standard one hour lesson price?
Has the driving school signed the voluntary Code of Practice. This code of practice, drawn up by the DSA and learner driver industry, provides a framework in which all driving schools and instructors should operate. It covers instructors' personal and professional conduct, driving schools advertising and their complaints procedure. A leaflet outlining the code can be obtained from any theory test or driving test centre or call the DSA on 0115 901 2500. Code of Practice details.

See our driving schools glossary to understand the terms used by driving schools and instructors.

How Much Do Driving Lessons Cost?

The prices charged for driving lessons can differ widely. The south of the UK is the most expensive. Driving lessons here can cost up to £25 per hour. The average across the country is around £22 for a one hour driving lesson. If the price is cheaper than this make sure you ask whether the instructor giving the driving lesson is fully qualified. They may not be, hence the low price of the lessons.

Cheap Driving Lessons

Don't be fooled by very cheap driving lessons. Some driving schools may offer cheap introductory offers such as ten driving lessons for £50. These prices don't always add up. Remember cheap in, expensive out. They pull you in with a cheap deal but then you find yourself advised to have more lessons, at the standard rate, than you actually need.

The DSA Grades UK Driving Instructors as follows-

Grade 4 - the driving instructor is competent
Grade 5 - the driving instructor is good
Grade 6 - the driving instructor has reached a very high standard

An instructor who is grade 1 to 3 is still a trainee and has yet to fully qualify and is still classed as a trainee or PDI.

Should Your Driving Instructor Be Fully Qualified?

A trainee driving instructor can give driving lessons and some driving schools do employ such instructors. If your instructor displays a green badge in their car it means they are fully qualified. If the badge is pink then the instructor is still training. In order to get a pink badge the trainee driving instructor has to pass parts 1 & 2 (a theory test and a driving test that is the same as the learners test but one they have to pass with fewer minor faults than a standard learner) of the DSA instructor examination and have done at least 40 hours ADI training. Then they must do a further 20 hours training shortly after the badge is issued. Part 3 of the exam is a practical driving test that assesses the trainee's instructional ability. These are the facts. The choice is yours.

Taking The Practical Driving Test

You can't take the practical driving test until you've passed the theory and hazard perception tests. The practical test is about making sure that those who pass are competent and safe in the basic skills of driving. Taking the driving test is your own car.

Before the driving test begins you will be required to pass an eyesight test. You must be able to read a new style number plate from a distance of 20 metres and an old style number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres. If you fail this test then the practical driving test will go no further. If you pass you will then take the show me, tell me test.

During the practical test you will be expected to drive for about 40 minutes in various road driving situations. You will be asked to perform two of the three reversing manoeuvres. You may also be required to perform an emergency stop. What the driving test examiner looks for.

In Order To Pass The Practical Driving Test, You Must Drive:

Without committing any serious or dangerous faults
Without committing more than 15 driving errors of a less serious nature.

Dangerous Driving Faults - a fault that results in actual danger. Commit such a fault and you will fail the practical test immediately.

Serious Driving Faults - is when a potentially dangerous incident occurs, when the candidate reveals a recurring driving fault or fails to perform a driving manoeuvre correctly. Receive a serious fault and you fail the practical test.

Minor Driving Faults - less serious faults, such as hesitating too long at a junction, faults that don't provide any immediate danger. Receive 16 or more minor driving faults and you will fail the practical test.

Top Ten Reason For Failing The Practical Driving Test

Observation at Junctions: Ineffective observation and judgment
Reverse Parallel Parking: Ineffective observation or lack of accuracy
Use of Mirrors: Not checking or not acting on what is seen
Reversing Around a Corner: Ineffective observation or lack of accuracy
Incorrect Use of Signals: Not cancelling or giving misleading signals
Moving Away Safely: Ineffective observation
Incorrect Positioning: At roundabouts or bends
Lack of Steering Control: Steering too early or too late
Incorrect Positioning: When turning right at junctions and in one-way street
Inappropriate Speed: Going too slow or being hesitant

Practical Driving Test Preparation

Arrive 10 minutes before the test is due to start. This will give you time to relax and calm your nerves before the driving test begins.
Make sure you have your photo card or ID and your theory test pass certificate.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure you take them with you. Failing to produce any of these items will result in failure without a refund.

Before the practical driving test begins, the examiner will check your papers and will ask you to sign a declaration to say the car you are driving is insured. You can ask for your instructor to sit in the back at this stage.

Provisional Driving Licence

You cannot have driving lessons or drive a car on UK roads until your provisional licence has been accepted and is in your possession.
You must be 17 years of age for the licence to be valid (16 years old if you receive the highest rate of mobility allowance).
You can apply for the provisional licence up to two months before your 17th birthday. See DVLA for full information on costs and relevant forms.

To Book The Practical Driving Test

It's advised not to apply for the practical driving test until your instructor tells you that you are ready.
You cannot apply for the practical test unless you have taken and passed the theory test.
The waiting time for a practical test can range from two to 12 weeks.
Saturday & weekday evening driving tests are available at some driving test centres. Evening tests are available during the summer months only.

Times you can take the practical driving test: 08:40 - 09:37 - 10:44 - 11:41 - 13:33 - 14:30 - 15:27.

You can book the practical driving test:

Online with the DSA. To book a practical test you will need a valid UK driving licence number, theory test pass certificate number and a valid debit/credit card.

By Phone - using your credit/debit card. The person who books the test must be the cardholder. You will be given the date and time of your test immediately. Call 0300 2001122 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Welsh speakers telephone 0300 200 1133. Northern Ireland: booking and enquiries 0845 6006700. When you phone you will need:

Theory test pass certificate number
Driver number shown on your licence
Personal details (name, address, telephone numbers)
ADI code number (used so your instructor is not double booked)
Preferred date
Unacceptable days or periods
If you can accept a test at short notice
Disability or any special circumstances

You will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card with details of the time and date of your test.

By Post - Apply for the practical driving test by filling out form DL26 (postal application for a practical test appointment) obtained from: Driving theory test centres, practical driving test centres, an Approved Driving Instructor, The National test booking line on 0870 010 1372, downloaded.

The Practical Driving Test Costs

£62.00 if you take the test on a weekday or £75.00, if you take the test during the weekend. You will not get a refund if you fail.

To Cancel Your Practical Test

To cancel you must give at least 3 working days notice, not counting the day the DSA received your request and the day of your driving test. Check the cancellation date on your appointment card. If you don't give enough notice you will lose your fee.

How Many Driving Lessons Are Needed To Pass The Practical Driving Test?

It is estimated that the number of driving lessons most people learning to drive require in order to reach a standard where they are able to pass the practical driving test is their age multiplied by 1.5. So, on average a 20-year-old learner driver will need 30 driving lessons.

This website contains Crown Copyright material which has been reproduced by permission of the Driving Standards Agency which does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the reproduction.

Disclaimer - the owner of this website accepts no responsibility for any injury, loss or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this website. Copyright © 2004 - 2010 VVP. All rights reserved worldwide - Hosting by memset dedicated servers. Driving test. Driving schools.