Getting started

Before you start your lessons you must make sure that you have a provisional driving licence for the vehicle you'll be driving and there must be no medical reason why you cannot drive. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses you must ensure you wear them for your lessons. Do not forget to wear sensible footwear.

Your lessons

The number of lessons a new driver requires varies, but the DVSA (Driving Standards Agency) states that on average a driver will require around 45 hours of tuition plus 22 hours of private practice to stand the best chance of passing their driving test. My average is around 33 hours. Lessons should be regular and having one two hour lesson each week is ideal.

Private practice

I strongly recommend that you practice between lessons as this gives you a better chance of passing your test.

Legal requirements

The person intending to supervise must be aged 21 years or over and must have held a full licence for more than three years.

Passing your test

The driving test is in two parts: the theory and the practical test. The theory test also consists of two elements, both of which are completed on a computer. The first part is a series of multiple choice questions, which is followed by a video-based hazard perception test. The practical test is where you demonstrate your skills to an examiner on the road. You must pass both the theory and practical tests before you can apply for a full licence.