Frequently Asked Questions on Driving Lessons and Tests

This is a very common question, one that is not easily answered. Every individual learns at a different pace.  The only way we can accurately judge your driving standard is during an assessment lesson. Some clients pass within a few weeks on an intensive course, others spread lessons out over 8 months. Typically, those practicing outside of professional tuition will take fewer lessons and pass quicker but this is not always the case. If privately practicing then remember that you must have correct insurance for the vehicle which is displaying legal sized L Plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, the accompanying driver must be over 21, with at least 3 years of driving experience.

The DVSA recommend that you take 40-45 hours of professional driving tuition as well as private practice. The national average of professional tuition according to the DVSA is 46 hours with 22 hours of private practice.

Although passing your test is the goal, we want to impress on all our clients that this is a life-long skill. We want you to have many years of safe driving and this is something that cannot be rushed. We will not take clients to their test if they cannot drive safely and taking your test before you are ready can be a risky and dangerous decision in the long run.

Before you can take driving lessons on the road you must have a provisional licence. You can apply for this online via the .gov website: Apply for Provisional Driving License

Use the official gov.uk link to book your practical driving test: Book Driving Test

Use the official gov.uk link to book your theory test: Book Theory Test

There are 5 parts to the driving test:

– an eyesight check
– ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
– general driving ability
– reversing your vehicle
– independent driving

2. The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.

You’ll drive for around 40 minutes.

3. You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

4. You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

You’ll be asked the:
– ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
– ‘show me’ question while you’re driving

5. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.

6.You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

– normal stops at the side of the road
– pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
– a hill start

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

7.The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

– parallel park at the side of the road
– 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)
– pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

8. You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

– directions from a sat nav
– traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.

They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.

If you cannot see traffic signs

If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.

They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.

9.If you make mistakes during your test

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

Your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre if the mistake you made means you’ve failed. The test will end early.

10. Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.

(all info from https://www.gov.uk/driving-test/what-happens-during-test)

There are 2 parts to the test:

– Multiple Choice Questions
– Hazard Perception – a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

Use this link for more revision resources: Theory Test – Revision and Practice

Please see our latest price list page.

Payment is via Bacs online banking or cash direct to your instructor. We do not accept cheque or card payments.

You must bring your provisional licence and a mask to lessons.

You must give Flying Colours or your Instructor at least 48 hours notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays) if you wish to cancel or rearrange a driving lesson, otherwise you will be liable to pay for 100% of the lesson fee.

Where you have pre-paid for any lesson but fail to attend or provide the Minimum Notice to cancel or rearrange the lesson, it will be counted as a lesson taken for the purposes of the lesson cancellation policy and you will be liable for the lesson fee.