TIMS SCHOOL OF MOTORING

The tests and the DVSA

The DSA are a national organisation. They have statutory responsibility for setting the standards and conducting both the theory and practical driving tests. Below is a snippet from their web site for the requirements you will need to meet before you can start driving. You can find more information by going to their site at. DVSA web site Rules for learner drivers Before you start to drive, you must: · hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland · make sure that any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career because bad habits are hard to break. It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users. If you want to practise your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence, in the relevant vehicle category, for three years. As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving. Minimum age for taking your test You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid. Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday, however you can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday. So, if you apply for your provisional licence before you are 17 you will still have to wait until your 17th birthday before you can take your theory test. For more information about applying for a provisional licence, please click on the link. Apply for a Provisional licence. The Theory Test The theory test is made up of 50 (43 is a pass) multiple choice questions and a hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the test. If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again. The multiple choice part is done on a computer at the Theory Test Center as is the hazard perception part. 14 hazard clips are played (one clip has 2 hazards, 15 hazards in total,) one after the other and the computer records your respons time to the hazards scoring 0 to 5 per hazard. A scoure of 44 is a pass out of a possible 75 Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test. There are many Books, CD roms Apps and web sites availably to help you study for this test. We at Tims School of Motoring offer Free access to a great web training site to all who train with us. To find a Theory test centre click here..................................................................................................... You can book your theory test over the phone on 0300 200 1122 or to book online click here.............. The current test prices are below The practical driving test The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Before you start driving you will be asked to preform a simple eye site test by reading a car numberplate from a minimum of 20.5m for the old plates or 20m for the new numberplate. For more information click here......................................... You will then be asked one of the vehicle safety questions before you drive off and a second while on the move (see below). Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving Practical test centres I currently use two test centres for the practical driving test, Norris Green and Southport. I don’t have a preference and usually leave it up to the learner as to where they would prefer to take there test. The pass rates are very similar at both centres so proximity is usually the main consideration. To find a driving test centre click here...................................................................................................... Booking your driving test You can book your driving test over the phone on 0300 200 1122 or to book online click here.............. The current test prices are below Driving test fees Theory test fees £23.00 Practical test type Weekday price £62.00 Evening and weekend price £75.00 Extended test for disqualified drivers Weekday price £124.00 Saturday price £150.00 Vehicle safety questions You will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. The first “tell me” question will be asked at the test center, the second “Show me” will be asked while driving. Although some checks may involve the candidate opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels. For a list of the question click here.......... The Independent part to the driving test The “Independent driving” element has been changed, four out of five tests will now follow a Sat nav for around 20 minutes. One in five tests will be asked to follow traffic signs and not the sat nav. It doesn't matter if candidates don't corectly follow the directions given, or if they go the wrong way, that can happen to the most experienced drivers. What is important (as always) is that you keep driving in a safe manner i.e. Remembering your Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre routine etc..... The DVSA have published a short video on their YouTube channel explaining more about the revised driving test starting 4th November 2017. Click here for driving video Link