Have you booked your practical driving test yet? You might be fretting about the whole thing, but don’t despair - lots of us have been there and the good news is we survived to tell the tale.

The main thing is to stay calm. It sounds obvious and is probably easier said than done however the calmer and less stressed you become about the test, the better your preparation will be for it. See it as a challenge but not as a threat – if you get in the right frame of mind it’ll become something to master not something to dread.

The examiner will be looking to see your confidence, competence, skill and knowledge. They’ll want to see that you’ve mastered the basics of manoeuvring the vehicle but also that you can do so in a safe, responsible manner. They need to know you can use your common sense and assess situations and traffic conditions accurately and quickly.

If you’re able to choose your test time, most people will recommend that you opt for mid to late morning because the traffic will usually be less chaotic, however you’ll no doubt have to drive during busy times once you’ve passed your test so it can be counter-productive to avoid the experience. You’ll probably have had some lessons with your instructor during busier times so it’s unlikely you’ll have had no practice with heavier traffic.

On the run up to your test day, rehearse for the ‘under the bonnet’ questions you’ll be asked as the first part of your practical exam. Make sure you revise the Highway Code too – even though you’ve already passed your theory test you’ll need to refresh your knowledge so you’re fully prepared for anything that happens on the day.

Ask your instructor to take you through the manoeuvres you may be asked to perform such as reverse parking, a turn in the road or a left hand reverse around a corner so that you feel confident about each one. Your instructor will probably also take you on the same routes that the examiners use so you can familiarise yourself with everything.

Get plenty of rest the night before so you’re alert on the day. Wear something comfortable and make sure your footwear is appropriate and safe to drive in. And remember your glasses if you need them to drive – you could fail if your examiner learns you should be wearing them in order to meet the required eyesight standard.

Don’t forget both parts of your provisional licence and your theory test pass certificate. You’ll also need your appointment letter and you’ll need to be driving a fully licensed, insured car with L plates – if you’re learning with an instructor or school then you’ll no doubt be driving the car you’ve been learning in.

Arrive at the test centre with plenty of time to spare and never be afraid to ask the examiner to repeat something if you don’t understand. Oh and remember to breathe! When nervous, there’s a tendency to breathe in but not out sufficiently and this can make you dizzy or even hyperventilate. Keep as calm as you can and concentrate on what you’re doing rather than the nerves.

Best of luck!

Young newly passed drivers can often find that there is still one last obstacle to enjoying their new found freedom at the wheel. Even after they’ve passed the theory and practical tests and managed to buy their first car, the price of insuring that car can be so high it could put a hefty dent in the budget. However it is possible to reduce the premiums by taking one last course of lessons.

The Pass Plus course aims to refine the skills of those who take it and reward them by deeming them safe, competent and careful drivers who are insurance worthy. It’s been developed by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) and includes 6 areas of assessment:

• In town – negotiating difficult junctions, keeping room around the car, taking into account vulnerable road users and using heightened observation, judgement and awareness in built up areas.
• Rural areas – as you’d expect this takes place on country roads and concentrates on teaching safe overtaking skills, driving round sharp bends, hills, narrow and bumpy roads safely.
• Driving in all weathers – rain, snow, fog, strong sunshine and sleet all present hazards to drivers so this module looks at how to approach each situation safely and deals with coping with skidding and aquaplaning.
• Night Driving – will look at which headlights to use in different conditions and how to cope with things like dazzling headlights from on-coming vehicles plus how to park safely at night.
• Driving on Dual carriageways – Teaches the pupil how to join and leave dual carriageways and also how to leave safe distances between other cars, overtake properly and control speed.
• Motorway Driving – probably the most important part of the course as it covers all aspects of motorway driving such as speed, how to use the lanes, slip roads, signals, breakdown procedures and fatigue so it’s a truly comprehensive and vital piece of training for the newly passed driver.

There’s no test after these lessons, however pupils are constantly assessed and have to achieve a certain standard of driving. They are graded with an attained or exceeded standard for each module they pass.

Drivers who take this course and reach the required standards can expect to receive discounts on car insurance premiums although not all insurance providers offer the reductions so it’s important to check and search for those that do. They’ll also get a wealth of valuable experience and the confidence that comes from having developed their skills and knowledge.

The price of the course varies according to the instructor or driving school delivering it however 6 hours is the minimum amount of course time required. In order to promote careful drivers some local councils will even help drivers to pay up to half the fees.

So you’ve passed your theory test and your instructor now says you’re ready to take your practical driving test… it’s likely to either thrill you or fill you with dread! But as long as you’re fully prepared and you know what you can expect it’ll take some of the mystery out of the situation and help to focus your mind on what you need to do to pass.

The first thing you need to do is book your test date. You can do this online at the Driving Standards Agency website www.dsa.gov.uk or by phoning the booking line on 0870 0101 372. You will need your provisional licence, your theory test certificate and a debit or credit card to make your payment. The test costs £62 for weekdays and £75 if you want to book an evening or weekend date.

Your examiner will start by asking you to read the number plate of a car that’s 20.5 metres away from you – this is to establish that you have the minimum eyesight standard required to drive. There will also be some basic questions about vehicle safety and maintenance such as asking you to open the bonnet of your car and state where you would check the engine oil. If you visit www.direct.gov.uk you’ll be able to download all the questions you’re likely to be asked.

During the test you’ll be appraised on your driving plus two reversing exercises which could be any of the following:

• Turning in the road (three point turn)
• Reverse parking (parallel park)
• Left reversing round a corner

There will usually also be an emergency stop or you’ll be told to drive on a dual carriageway. At certain points your examiner will ask you to turn, park and follow the road ahead and they’ll be looking for an overall safe, alert and consistent standard of driving. There’s a limit of up to 15 minor driving faults that you can make and still pass, but if you commit one major fault you’ll fail the test.

On passing the test the examiner will ask you if you would like your full driving licence to be issued to you automatically and if you do, they’ll take your provisional licence to scan the details which will be sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and then give you your pass certificate. The full licence will be forwarded to you within 3 weeks. If you’d rather not have it issued automatically you’ll still get your pass certificate but it’ll be up to you to apply for your licence by following the instructions on the back of the certificate.

In part two we’ll look at the next stage in your quest for a licence – finding someone to teach you and taking your tests.

1. The Driving Standard’s agency strongly recommends that you take lessons from a professional school or instructor as it’s the safest and probably the best way to learn. Anyone who charges money for lessons must be registered with the Driving Standards Agency and will display an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) certificate on the windscreen of their fleet of cars. You can find local schools and instructors by looking in the Yellow
2. Pages or perhaps ask friends and relatives for their recommendations.
   If you do have practice lessons from a friend or relative they must have held a valid full EC/EEA driving licence for the category of vehicle being driven for at least 3 years, and they must be over 21 years old. You should be aware that it’s a fineable offence to charge money for lessons and/or fuel if not an ADI certificate holder.
3. Choose from a course of lessons or an intensive course depending on your existing standard and skills. A course of lessons with an indefinite end date will suit the absolute beginner or those who feel they need to start from scratch. An intensive course will be more suited to those who’ve perhaps had some lessons however you’ll get a practical test date as part of your intensive course so you must have already taken and passed your theory test in order to take this course. Driving lessons can be costly, ranging from around £15-£30 an hour, and when you consider that the average learner requires around 45 hours of driving practice before they’re proficient enough to take their practical test, you will see how important it is to choose the right instructor/school and the right course for you to make sure you can afford to learn at your own pace. Discounts are often available for block bookings and students.
4. You’ll need to book your theory test next. You can do this by obtaining the form from any driving or theory test centre or by phoning the enquiry line (see www.theorytestadvice.co.uk.) You’ll be given a booking number and sent an appointment card within 4 days. The test costs *£31 consists of 50 Highway Code questions delivered in a multiple choice format on a touch computer screen. You’ll be given 57 mins to complete the test and to pass you need to answer 43 out of the 50 questions correctly. If you fail you’ll have to wait a minimum of 3 clear working days before you can re-sit the test. And if you need to cancel you’ll be required to give a minimum of three clear working days notice otherwise you’ll lose your test fee.
5. Finally, once you and your instructor feel you’re ready, you’ll be encouraged to apply for a date for your practical driving test. The test costs from *£62 and can be booked online at www.direct.gov.uk or by phone/post. You’ll need your provisional licence, your theory test certificate number and your payment. Once again, if you need to cancel you must give at least 3 clear working day’s notice.

After all that you’ll take your test and hopefully pass to become a fully licensed, safe and driver! Good luck and happy driving!

*Price correct at time of writing.

If you’ve made the decision to learn to drive and have obtained your Provisional licence, found your driving instructor or school and started your lessons, you’ll need to apply for and pass your Theory & Hazard Perception Test. It’s absolutely vital to pass this test because without it, you’ll be unable to apply for your practical driving test.

Therefore, it’s essential to make sure you’re fully prepared for the test by doing some careful revision of The Highway Code. The tests themselves are fairly straightforward in format: they’re multiple choice and visual and relatively short. We’ll look at each exam in turn, breaking down what you’ll be faced with and the standard you need to achieve in order to pass.

The Theory Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions in total and you’ll be given a time limit of 57 minutes in which to answer them. To pass you need at least 43 correct answers. Each question has four possible answers to choose from and you’ll be asked to mark one, two or three answers according to the question.
You can book it online at www.dsa.gov.uk and it costs £31. You’ll be able to choose the test centre that you want to take the test at and the date and time of your test. It is possible to cancel and reschedule if you need to however you’ll be charged another test fee if you cancel less than 3 working days before the test.

The second part of the exam is the Hazard Perception Test. This involves clicking the mouse on the computer screen whenever you see a hazard appear. You’ll be shown a video telling you how to operate the mouse to answer the questions: click once when a hazard appears and then click again when that hazard builds.
There are 14 videos, with one hazard and five possible marks per video, however be prepared because one of the videos has two hazards. Beware of clicking indiscriminately because that will constitute an automatic fail mark for the video you’re being tested on. 75 points is the maximum score and the minimum you’ll require to pass is 47. You’ll get your exam results the same day.

On the day you should arrive in plenty of time as you’ll have to register at reception first at which point they’ll ask you to present your provisional licence. You won’t be permitted to take anything with you into the test room but you’ll be given a locker to use to store any personal belongings during the test. Like any exam, no talking or distracting other candidates is allowed. You’ll see your name and the category of test you’re taking on the computer so you’ll need to check they’ve got your details correct before you begin.

Although both tests are logical and straightforward you’ll still need to have studied the Highway Code thoroughly in order to ensure a pass, and of course you’ll need to read the questions and watch the footage carefully, using your common sense as well as your knowledge to help you answer. Don’t be too hasty: check your answers before you make your selection. Good luck!

Learning to drive is a wonderful, often stressful - but never wasted - undertaking. It will open doors for you in terms of possible careers and will give you tremendous independence. There is an awful lot to think about and an awful lot to prepare, however this two part guide will hopefully help to take the mystery out of the process and set you on the road to success!

1. The very first step is to be 17 or over. That is the minimum age you need to be in order to drive a vehicle on public roads. The only exception is for disabled people aged 16 who receive a mobility allowance.
2. You’ll need to get your Provisional Driving Licence. Without it, it’s impossible to learn to drive at all. You can apply on line at www.direct.gov.uk or you can fill out the D1 form at your local Post Office. You’ll need a) original documentation to confirm your identity such as a passport or a birth certificate, b) a passport style colour photograph and c) the fee of £50. You need to send your completed application to the DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AD or you may be able to use the premium checking service at your local Post Office or DVLA office. *Whilst 17 is the earliest age you can hold a Provisional licence from, you can apply for it 3 months before your 17th birthday.
3. If you’re going to be having any lessons with your parents or in a friend or relative’s car you must make sure you have L plates displayed. There must be one at the front of the vehicle and one at the back and until you have passed your practical driving test, it is illegal for you to drive on your own without a fully licensed and insured driver with you.
4. It’s a good idea to have an eye test with an optician just to make sure there are no issues that may affect or prevent you from driving safely or from meeting the required standard. If you need glasses or contact lenses you must wear them by law if you’re eyesight is affected without them.
5. Buy a copy of the Highway Code and study it cover to cover! This is the most important piece of reading you’ll be doing for some time as the rules in this book inform everything you do on the road behind the wheel of a car both now and after you pass your test. The Highway code forms the basis and detail of UK traffic law and you must follow it to the letter; you’ll need to pass your theory test (see part 2 of this guide,) which is completely centred on the information you’ll find within the book so it’s essential you know the rules inside out.

In part two we’ll look at finding an instructor, taking your theory test and preparing for the big day… your practical driving test!

Once you’ve found the car of your dreams you’ll no doubt be eager to drive away in it before the ink is dry on the receipt! However there’s one thing you should definitely do before agreeing to buy any car; take it for a test drive. It’s so important to take any prospective car purchase for a test drive because it’s the only way you’ll find out if there are any faults with the vehicle or simply if it fits your needs and is a comfortable drive. Here are a few tips on how to get the best from your test drive.

1. Make sure you’re fully insured before you take any car out on a test drive. Take proof of your insurance with you for the seller to see.
2. When you start the engine it’s best to start it from cold. The vehicle should start immediately. If the car takes several attempts to start there could be a problem.
3. Once the car has started, listen for any excessive noise coming from the exhaust. Lots of noise could indicate holes in the exhaust which is known as a ‘blow.’
4. Try accelerating fairly hard and look out of your rear view mirror for any smoke. Take a look at the smoke coming from the exhaust to check what colour and amount it’s emitting. White smoke is fine although if there’s a large amount of it that could indicate a fault. Blue smoke could mean that there’s an internal oil leak which could be expensive to repair.
5. After the engine’s been running for a while have a look at the temperature gauge on the dashboard. It should really stay at around the halfway mark but if it’s higher than that the car may have engine trouble and be in need of repair.
6. Don’t move off until you’ve turned the steering wheel from one full lock to the other. There shouldn’t be any noise or resistance.
7. Pull the handbrake on and attempt to drive off very gently to test its ability to hold the car – if the handbrake doesn’t hold the car from moving it will need repairing.
8. Try to drive on several different types of road surfaces during the test drive to give the car a realistic appraisal.
9. Use all the gears including reverse and take note of any problems as gear boxes are expensive to fix. Manual cars should have a smooth gear change action and the clutch’s bite should be somewhere between the top and middle of the pedal’s depression. Make sure the clutch disengages well before the pedal is on or near the floor – low disengagement will mean it needs adjusting or perhaps even replacing. Automatic transmissions shouldn’t make any whining or banging noises.
10. Brake sharply (but safely) and watch out for the car pulling to one side or any noises that occur. It may mean the brakes and/or tyre treads will need looking at.

Above all, remember that the car is not yours until you’ve paid for it and so although you need to put it through its paces, you mustn’t abuse a vehicle on a test drive as you’ll be liable for any damage you cause.