How much does a drivng lesson cost?

£40 per hour on a pay as you go basis or £38 per hour on a block booking paid in advance.

How long does it take to learn the skills?

On average, it takes most people around 45 hours of professional driving lessons and 22 hours of private practice to learn to drive in the UK, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). However this is just an average, and the exact number of hours can vary greatly depending on individual learning speed and prior experience. Some learners may need significantly more or less time. There is no set number of lessons required, and you should only attempt your test when you feel confident and ready, be guided by your instructor.

How long does a driving test last?

A driving test in the UK typically lasts for around 40 minutes and will include an eyesight check, ''show me / tell me'' questions, general driving ability assessment, a reversing manoeuvre, and about 20 minutes of independent driving when you'll be asked to follow directions from a sat nav or to follow road signs.

What car will I drive on my driving test?

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) does not provide a vehicle for the test, so you'll need to use your instructor's car or your own car (if it meets certain requirements) for your driving test. Most people use the car they've been learning in, which is typically their driving instructor's car.

How many faults can I make on my driving test?

You can make up to fifteen minor faults during a driving test and still pass. However if you make any serious or dangerous faults, you will fail the test.

Can I book driving lessons in an automatic car?

Unfortunately this is not possible with us as I only offer driving lessons in a manual car.

What length will my drivng lesson be?

All my driving lessons are 2 hours duration. These offer better value for money, and allow time for a re-cap of the last lesson at the beginning of the lesson and reflection at the end of the lesson , plus plenty of time to explain and practice new and existing skills.

When will I receive my driving test result?

You will be given your driving test result once you have parked the car up and switched off the engine at the end on the test.

Can I choose to have ​a female or male driving examiner?

Unfortunately you can't choose the gender of your examiner, you will have whichever driving examiner has been allocated to your test slot.

How long do I need to wait before taking a re-test after failing my original test?

After failing a practical driving test, you need to wait a minimum of ten working days before being able to take a re-test, but it's likely the wait will be much longer due to the current waiting times unless you can find a cancellation slot.

What happens if I fail the eyesight part of the driving test?

If you fail the eyesight part of your driving test, the test will end immediately and you will fail the entire test, you will not be allowed to start the driving part of the test. The DVSA will be informed and your driving licence will be revoked. You will then need to reapply for your driving licence and take and pass a seperate eyesight test with the DVSA before you can retake another practical driving test.

What is the average driving test pass rate?

The national average first time driving test pass rate is around 49-51%. This means that around half of all tests taken result in a failure, this is often caused when learners take a test before being fully prepared. Here at Garry Needham Driving Tuition I only present learners for test that are fully prepared to test standard and will normally have passed several mock driving tests before being presented for the actual driving test itself, this has resulted in the driving school having a year on year first time pass rate of around 89-91%, significantly higher than the national average.

What happens if I get a puncture during my driving test?

If it's a serious puncture like a flat tyre, the examiner will stop the test as it'll be unsafe to continue and you may need to walk back to the test centre with the examiner. If the test is terminated due to a puncture, you will need to book and pay for another driving test.

What happens if there's bad weather on the day of my driving test?

Driving tests are not carried out during bad weather conditions like icy roads, flooding, thick fog or high winds. The DVSA will cancel your test and automatically re-book your test for another day. You will not loose your fee if DVSA cancel's your driving test.

Will I be charged if I cancel my car driving test?

You can cancel your car driving test at anytime but you must give at least 10 clear working days notice, otherwise you will lose your driving test fee, the 10 clear working days does not include Sundays or bank holidays.

Does the driving test centre have toilets?

Loughborough driving test centre does have both male and female toilets.

Where do I need to park when I arrive at the test centre for my driving test.

When you arrive at the driving test centre, you should reverse into one of the parking bays reserved for driving test cars. These bays are clearly marked with signs.

How long does it take before I receive my driving test results?

You'll receive your driving test result as soon as you've completed the driving test, parked up, secured the car and switched off the engine, you'll then be informed of the test result by your examiner.

Can I start driving on my own as soon as I've passed my driving test?

Yes you can start driving on your own immediately you've passed your driving test, but make sure your car is roadworthy, taxed, insured and MOT'ed if required and carry your pass certificate until you receive your new driving licence.

Contact us on 01509 234961 or email gndt@btinternet.com to book your driving lessons in Loughborough.