Driving lessons Loughborough - Driving Tests
The car practical driving tests are separated into three separate parts, they are: The multiple-choice theory test, the hazard perception test and the practical driving test. The current fee's that you pay when you book your tests as of October 2023 are car theory test £23.00 and car practical driving test (weekday) £62.00, (evenings, weekends and bank holidays) £75.00 These fee's are payable to DVSA when you book your tests and do not include the use of your driving instructors car for the practical driving test. Please check your instructors availability before booking any tests.
If you want to drive a car you'll need to pass the car Driving Theory Tests before booking your practical car driving test. The car driving theory test is made up of two parts, the multiple-choice theory test and the hazard perception test.
The theory test can be taken at any UK Driving Theory Test Centre, both parts are touch-screen computer based and taken at the same sitting. You need to take and pass both parts at the same sitting in order to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test and need to take both parts again.
PLEASE NOTE: There is NO theory test centre in Loughborough, the nearest ones are situated at Leicester, Nottingham or Derby.
The multiple-choice part has a time limit of 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
The hazard perception part is made up of a series of 14 video clips and the pass mark is 44 out of 50.
You'll be given the results of your theory test at the test centre after completing it, if you pass the theory test you'll be given a theory test pass certificate, keep this safe as you'll need this when you book and take your car practical driving test.
To prepare for your car driving theory and car driving practical tests you should use the 3 core source material books for learning to drive, These are: The highway code, Driving - the essential skills and know your traffic signs.
I believe that these are some of the best training materials available and therefore recommend them to my clients.
THE OFFICIAL HIGHWAY CODE
Essential reading for all road-users in England, Scotland and Wales. This updated edition of the only official Highway Code contains the very latest rules of the road. Many of these rules are legal requirements and must be adhered to in order to avoid penalty - fines, penalty points, disqualification or even prison. All road users need to be aware of the new rules. The rules also include a reference to the legislation that creates the offence. The Official Highway Code reflects the most up-to-date legislation that road-users must adhere to, advice on road safety, and best practice.
KNOW YOUR TRAFFIC SIGNS
This handy reference title illustrates and explains the vast majority of traffic signs that a road user is likely to encounter. A thorough knowledge of all traffic signs is essential for all road users, not just new drivers or riders, making this the ideal companion to ensure your knowledge is up-to-date. Although The Official Highway Code contains most of the commonly used road signs which are prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations, it does not give a comprehensive explanation of our signing system. This is therefore a perfect complementary title to The Official Highway Code.
THE OFFICIAL DSA GUIDE TO DRIVING - THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS
This essential reference guide is recognised as the industry standard driving manual, packed full of driving advice for learners, experienced motorists, professional drivers and instructors alike. This comprehensive guide provides all motorists with everything they need to know to help them learn and maintain safe driving skills and stay safe on the road for life. This new edition has been updated to include details on independent driving, additional information on emergency diversions and travelling through road works, and advice on overtaking slow-moving vehicles, plus other key revisions.
The Car Practical Driving Test
The car practical driving test is designed to see if you can drive your vehicle safely, within the law, on a range of roads with different layouts and speed limits, you should be able to negotiate any major junction and demonstrate your knowledge of the highway code through your driving ability..
All my driving tests are conducted at Loughborough driving test centre, Ark business centre, Gordon Road, Loughborough, LE11 1JP.
The normal driving test start times on Monday's, Tuesday's, Wednesday's, Thursday's and Friday's are 07.50, 08.47, 09.44, 10.51, 11.48, 13.15, & 14.12 with an additional test usually available at 15.09 on Wednesday's only. Extra tests at weekends may sometimes also be available at an extra cost.
When you arrive at the practical driving test centre you must have with you your driving theory test pass certificate and your driving licence, failure to have the correct documents will result in your test being cancelled and you will lose your fee.
What happens during the practical driving test?
Eyesight check
At the start of the test you will have an eyesight check, the examiner will select a parked vehicle and ask you to read the number plate. You must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with the new style of number plate and 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old style of number plate.
(New style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, eg AB51 ABC)
If you don't pass the eyesight test you'll fail your driving test and the test won't continue. Read more about the driving eyesight rules - Click Here
Vehicle safety questions
After successfully passing the eyesight check you're be asked 1 'Tell me' vehicle safety question before you start driving and 1 'Show me' question while you're driving.
( These checks are very easy to complete and will be fully covered during your normal driving lessons. A copy of all the questions complete with all the answers will be issued to you to allow you to study them at home.)
The driving ability part
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. During this time the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. The examiner will give you directions that you should follow.
During your driving test you will be asked to drive on various types of roads, the test will also include normal stops at the roadside, a hill start, an angle start ( pulling away from behind a parked car ) and on 1 in 3 tests an emergency stop exercise.
The examiner will also ask you to complete one of the following reversing exercises:
A parallel park at the side of the road.
Pull up on the right hand side of the road, reverse for about two car lengths and rejoin the traffic.
Park in a parking bay, either by driving in and reversing out or reversing in and driving out ( the examiner will tell you which you have to do ).
The practical test will also include about 20 minutes of independent driving, during this time you will drive independently by either following a series of traffic signs or by following directions from a sat nav. The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.
Don't worry about going the wrong way or missing a turn. The examiner will ask you to keep going and help you get back on route as soon as possible. If road signs are not visible or missing the examiner will prompt you, if you're still not sure ask for confirmation. It's about driving safely that counts.
At the end of the driving test the examiner will give you the result, you'll pass the test if you make 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
If you pass your driving test the examiner will give you a pass certificate, they will also ask if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically.
Once you have passed your driving test you can start driving straight away, you don't need to wait until your full licence arrives.
Click this link to book your official practical driving test. https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test
Click this link to change the date of your practical driving test. https://www.gov.uk/change-driving-test
Click this link to cancel your practical driving test. https://www.gov.uk/cancel-driving-test
Need some more HELP? Contact us today on 01509 234961 or email us at info@garryneedham.co.uk