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Driving Test Tips - UK Driving Schools - Practical Driving Test Video Practice - Driving Theory Test

Driving Test Success is the free online driving school providing driving test practice, practical driving test video practice lessons, driving theory test practicve, tips and mock theory tests, a UK driving schools index, hazard perception tests, the show me tell me questions and answers, guides to cheap car insurance for young drivers and driving test tips galore.

Our aim is simple to help you pass the driving test. Below you will find general information on the UK driving test (how to pass practical driving test, how to book, why people fail, theory test etc) as well as tips on choosing driving schools. Our practical driving test video practice lessons include reverse parallel parking, bay parking, three point turn, reversing round a corner and many more.

THE UK DRIVING TEST

The driving test, including the theory and hazard perception test, exists primarily as a road safety measure. It is designed to ensure all new drivers can drive safely and unaccompanied.

Although many find selecting one of the many Uk driving schools & learning to drive daunting at first, with the correct preparation and driver training there is no reason why the freedom of a full UK driving license can't be attainable to all.Yes the driving test, including the driving theory test, is detailed and in-depth. This leads some to conclude that its real aim is to fleece those taking the driving test out of their hard earned cash or to provide a good profit for the many different driving schools and instructors. However, the facts are stark!

Every year 1,000 people die in road traffic accidents involving a young driver, hence the high cost of young drivers car insurance in the UK. Research shows that it takes two years from passing the 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 driving licence within 2 years of passing their practical driving test will have their licence revoked. To get their licence back they'll first have to reapply for their provisional driving license and then re-take both the theory & practical driving test (dvd).

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So be warned. The more driver training you receive (through driving schools, family or friends) the better. Driving is a skill that must be learned. Yes some people have a greater aptitude for driving than others but all learner drivers will benefit from professional driving lessons provided by competent driving schools.

Get in as much driving practice as possible (with driving schools or family). Experience as many driving situations as you can. Drive at night, in the country and in town, on dual carriageways and in all weather conditions. This will not only help you pass the practical test but also the driving theory test and hazard perception test. Driving variety and depth should be your main objectives. This level of preparation will not only increase your chances of passing the practical and theory tests first time but also, in the long run, save you money.

CHOOSING DRIVING SCHOOLS AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS

There are many different driving schools in the UK. From national driving schools such as The AA who cover most of the UK, to local, one-man-band driving schools who cover a single town or area. Selecting the appropriate driving school from the vast array of driving schools that exist is not an exact science. One rule however always stands out - personal recommendation. Did a particular driving school work for a friend? Were they happy with the service the driving school provided? If so, at the very least, it's a tick in the driving schools favour.

The prices charged by most driving schools don't seem to differ very much. Expect to pay around £21 for a one hour lesson. If the price is cheaper than this then make sure you ask whether or not the driving instructor giving the driving lesson is fully qualified. They may not be hence the low price.

Driving schools all offer discounts if you book in blocks of 10 lessons or more i.e book a block of ten driving lessons and get one lesson free. Some driving schools will also offer student and NHS discounts but all in all cost per hour between driving schools doesn't differ all that much.

Additional services offered by most driving schools include - a door to door service, a full hours driving lesson (not 50 mins teaching and 10 minutes driving you home), no car sharing (no other pupil in the back waiting their turn) and so on. So make sure you know exactly what the driving schools is offering you before you book your lessons.

You should always make sure that the driving schools you choose have signed the voluntary Code of Practice. This code of practice, drawn up and agreed by the DSA and driving instruction industry, is designed to provide a framework in which all driving schools and instructors should operate, and 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

Should you make sure that your driving instructor is fully qualified? A trainee driving instructor can give lessons and some driving schools do employ such instructors. If your driving instructor displays a green badge in their car it means they are fully qualified. If the badge is pink then the driving instructor is still training.

In order to get a pink badge the trainee driving instructor has to pass parts 1 & 2 (a driving theory test, multiple choice test plus hazard perception video test and an advanced ADI driving test which is of a much higher standard than the driving test you will take) of the DSA Driving Instructor examination and have done at least 40 hours ADI training as well. Then they must do a further 20 hours training shortly after the badge is issued. Part 3 of the exam is a practical test that tests the trainee's instructional ability. These are the facts. The choice is yours.

The DSA Grades UK Driving Instructors as-

  • 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
Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers - How to Reduce The Cost.

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TAKING THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST

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

Before the practical 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 20.5 metres. If you fail this test then the practical driving test will go no further. You will fail full stop. If you pass the eyesight test you will then take the show me, tell me test. For information on the show me, tell me test follow the link above.

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, either parallel parking, reversing into a side road or bay parking. You may also be required to perform an emergency stop.

IN ORDER TO PASS THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST, YOU MUST DRIVE

without committing any serious or dangerous fault or 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 - this is when a potentially dangerous incident occurs, when the candidate reveals a recurring driving fault or fails to perform a manoeuvre (parallel parking, bay parking, reversing into a side road, turn in the road, emergency stop) correctly. Receive a serious fault and you will 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 REASONS WHY PEOPLE FAIL 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 canceling 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 : to turn right at junctions and in one way streets

Inappropriate Speed : Going too slow or being hesitant

Free Mock Driving TheoryTest Questions?

Mock Driving Theory Test 01
Mock Driving Theory Test 02
Mock Driving Theory Test 03
UK Road Signs Theory Test

The minimum score needed to pass the driving theory test?

43 correct answers from 50 driving theory test questions.

The Driving theory test pass rate is 62.9%

For Driving theory test tips and advice - Driving Theory Test

CURRENTLY THE PASS RATE FOR THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST IS 43%.

PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST PREPARATION

You should arrive 10 minutes before your practical driving test is due to start. This will give you time to relax and calm your nerves before the practical 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 at the test will result in failure and you will not be eligible for a refund.

When it is time for your practical driving test, the examiner will enter the waiting room and introduce themselves. Your papers will be checked and you will be asked 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. It is also possible that a supervising examiner will sit in the back to examine the examiner. You will then be escorted out of the room and to the car park.

PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE

You can not 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.

Check out the DVLA web site for full information on costs and relevant forms.

HOW TO BOOK THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST

It's advised not to apply for the practical driving test until your driving instructor tells you that you are ready. You cannot apply for the practical test unless you have taken and passed the driving theory test. For a full list of driving theory test centres see our driving theory test pages The waiting time for a driving test can vary from place to place and can range from two to 12 weeks. The Times At Which You Can Take The Practical Driving Test Are:- 08:40 - 09:37 - 10:44 - 11:41 - 13:33 - 14:30 - 15:27

Saturday and weekday evening driving tests are available at some driving test centres. Evening tests are available during the summer months only.

The Practical Driving Test Costs £56.50 if you take the test on a week day or £67.00, if you take the test during the weekend. You will not get a refund if you fail.

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST
On-line via the DSA web site. To book a practical driving test you will need a valid UK driving licence number, theory test pass certificate number, valid debit/credit card. (book driving theory test)

By Phone - book the practical driving test by phone using your credit/debit card. The person who books the test must be the cardholder. If you book this way you will be given the date and time of your test immediately. Do this by calling 0870 0101372 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Mini com machine phone: - 0870 010 6372. Welsh speakers can telephone 0870 0100372. Northern Ireland: booking and enquiries 0845 6006700.

  • When you phone you will need your:-
  • driving theory test pass certificate number
  • driver number shown on your licence
  • personal details (name, address, day / evening telephone numbers)
  • Driving instructor code number (if known- 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 - no credit or cheque card? Then book the practical test by post. Apply for the test by filling out form DL26 (postal application for a practical driving test appointment) obtained from:

Driving theory test centres, Practical test centres, an Approved Driving Instructor, The National test booking line on 0870 010 1372, downloaded from here

Send completed form and payment to:- DSA, PO Box 280, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE99 1FP

CANCELLING THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST

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

USING YOUR OWN CAR

If you take the practical driving test in your own car then make sure that the car is insured for you to use for this purpose, that the car you intend to drive is legally roadworthy and has a current MOT certificate. Your examiner will ask you to sign a declaration stating that your car insurance is in order. The driving test will not go ahead if you are unable/unwilling to do so. Your car must also have-
  • A fully functional seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat
  • A valid tax disk and L plates displayed at the front/rear of the car
  • An interior mirror for the examiner's use.
  • The fitted head restraint should not be removed from the front passenger seat
  • Specially adapted cars may be exempt from these requirements.
  • If you overlook any of these your test will be cancelled you may lose your fee.

For information on the driving theory test, hazard perception test, show me, tell me test, UK driving schools and practical test tutorials click on the links below. There are four mock driving theory test quizzes waiting to test you as well as a list of the driving theory test centres situated in the UK in the driving theory test section. Our Uk driving schools directory is comprehensive and ever expanding

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