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Learning to Drive Written by Paul Kirkpatrick ADI (Click here for information on scheduling lessons, theory and practical tests) Pivotal Moment Learning to drive is one of the most pivotal moments in most people's lives.  The freedom of being able to go wherever you want, whenever you want is something that you can't really comprehend until you can do it.  Certainly, I will never forget the day I passed my driving test, nor the irritation of having to rely on public transport and lifts from my friends and family before I passed. Things Change The driving test is very different from when I passed.  Back in those days, there was no theory test and you were never asked to carry out any sort of parking exercise.  I can't quite remember the man with a red flag walking in front of the car, but it can seem like it sometimes.  Traffic conditions are much busier than they were when I passed and this makes learning to drive a much tougher prospect today than when I took my test.  However, with quality tuition and plenty of practice, passing the driving test is not too difficult and you will soon be able to enjoy the freedom that independent motoring gives you. The First Lesson I know that when I started taking driving lessons, I was really excited beforehand and more than a little nervous.  What if I crashed the car?  What if I couldn't do it?  I needn't have worried, my instructor soon set me at my ease and it was a surprisingly short time before I was ready to take my test.  A good instructor will pace the tuition to suit your own individual needs and will not rush you into something for which you are not ready.  The first lesson will typically cover the safety routine on entering the car, the safe and correct use of the controls, starting the engine and moving the car from a standstill and bringing it to a controlled stop again a little further down the road.  You don't need to worry about crashing as your instructor can, if need be, use the dual control brake and clutch to prevent an accident and as for not being able to do it, I'm sure that with a little practice, you will surprise yourself with just how well you can. Theory Test When I took my driving test, there was no separate theory test, merely a few questions relating to the Highway Code asked at the end of the test.  These days, the theory test is a much more comprehensive test of your road knowledge and even includes a "hazard perception" test.  You must pass the theory test before you can take a practical test, so it makes sense to get the theory test over and done with soon after you start learning.  The theory test consists of two elements: a multiple choice test of 35 questions and a hazard perception test where you will have to react to hazards shown on a video screen in 14 individual video clips.  It's not as difficult as maybe it sounds, but you will need to practice somewhat and Clearway Driver Training can help you with this. For more information on the theory test, see the Theory Test section of the site. Manoeuvres Most learners have heard from their friends that learning the manoeuvres was really very difficult indeed and are mildly terrified at the prospect of, say, parking their car in a car park space.  To be perfectly honest, I was no different when I learned to drive.  However, my instructor put me at my ease with my manoeuvres and taught me how to turn my car in the road and reverse around a corner without too much difficulty. A good instructor will make these manoeuvres seem fairly straightforward so there really is no need to worry as most of the horror stories you hear are purely people winding you up. Mock Test As you approach the big day, it's a good idea to have a mock test.  In this case, your instructor will roleplay the part of a driving examiner or, if possible, you may even have another instructor carry out the mock test.  You will be taken along a test route and treated in exactly the same way as the examiner will treat you on your actual test.  The mock helps both you and your instructor to know what areas of your driving need further practice prior to the test proper.  I found the mock before my test very useful indeed. Practical Test Most people are extremely nervous on the day of their driving test.  This is only to be expected, but you'll find that you calm down a little once the test starts.  The test lasts for around 40 minutes and will start with the examiners calling out candidates names (usually mispronouncing them in the process!).  You'll be asked to sign the test report form and then asked to read a numberplate.  Then it's back to the car to answer two simple maintenance questions before getting in and going for a drive.  Don't worry, the examiners are all human and are not the hideous scary ogres you may be expecting.  At the end of the test, you will be told the result and you can go home looking forward to driving independently or, if you are not successful, going through it all again! For more information on the practical test, see the Practical Test section of the site. After The Test Once you have passed the test, don't fall into the trap of thinking your learning process is complete - most drivers continue to learn how to be a better driver for many years after getting their licence.  You won't have been onto a motorway as a driver before and your first experience of motorway driving can be very scary on your own.  In many cases, taking motorway lessons or Pass Plus pays dividends because, not only will it increase your confidence on motorways, in the case of Pass Plus, it can also save you money on your car insurance.   "I've Got My Driving Test Booked For Thursday..." When you are considering learning to drive, it can seem like the goal of passing your test is a long, long way away.  However, far too many people fall into the trap of trying to rush things. Anyone who has ever run a driving school will tell you that one of the most frequent types of caller are those who call up in a panic having booked a test in a week or two's time (sometimes even less) and then trying to get an instructor to teach them.   The harsh reality for these people is that, on the whole, they won't find anyone to take them to test and will either have to take their own car, borrow a car or, failing that, will miss their test and forfeit their test fee.  Even those who do manage to take the test they have booked, more often than not, will fail as they have not had sufficient professional instruction to enable them to be competent enough to pass. It is unrealistic to expect to reach the standard required for the practical test in only a very few lessons.  For most people, it makes sense to spread your learning out over several weeks to enable time to absorb and consolidate all the information your instructor gives you. In addition, when you first meet your instructor, he/she will need time to evaluate your driving and advise the amount of tuition that is needed.  You may have had practice on private land and may think that you only need a handful of lessons to reach test standard, but until you are assessed by a professional driving instructor, you can't really be sure that what you are doing is what is required on the test.  This also applies to those people who are currently driving on an international licence. The sensible way to ensure that you go into your test with the best chance of passing is to schedule things in a logical and sensible way. Remember that you cannot take or even book your practical test until you have passed the theory test.  You may, however, commence driving lessons before the theory test. Absolute Beginners If you are a total novice or have very little experience, your first port of call should be to find an instructor and arrange lessons with them.  Ask them to advise you as to how many lessons you are likely to need after your first lesson, but remember that this can only ever be an estimate. After you start learning, your instructor will advise you on the sensible time to book and take your theory test. Once you have passed the theory test, your instructor should recommend a time for you to take your practical test and schedule an appropriate number of lessons up to your test. However, in some areas of the country where the waiting list for practical tests is particularly long, it might be advisable to get the theory test out of the way before you start lessons and to book the practical test pretty much straight away.  However, it is prudent to seek the advice of your instructor before you do this. Some Experience Or An Old Hand If you are switching from another instructor, taking professional lessons for the first time after learning with a friend or family member or even have taken a test or tests in the past, don't assume that you can necessarily just take a couple of lessons followed by a test. The best way to approach things is to speak to a driving instructor FIRST.  Don't book up a test and then try to find an instructor - This can be a disasterous, not to mention costly, exercise.  The availability of a driving instructor will vary throughout the year, but you should question the quality of an instructor who is available for lessons "tomorrow".  If you speak to an instructor, they can advise you as to when they are available to fit in lessons and when would be a suitable time to take your test. Remember also, that instructors have commitments to their existing pupils and will not necessarily be able to accommodate you for lessons or a test at short notice. If you do book a test before finding an instructor, bear in mind that the instructor will probably want to carry out an assessment of your driving before agreeing to the use of their car for the test.  It makes sense, therefore, not to book a test where the last cancellation date has already passed.  Indeed, you need to allow time for an assessment lesson before this date. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for details about using a Clearway Driver Training car for your test.

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