10 Steps to Pass YOUR Test – Step 6: After passing your Theory Test

Thursday, December 15th, 2011
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Congratulations! You have now passed your Theory Test. The test centre staff will have given you a certificate which you MUST keep somewhere safe as you will need it to book your practical test. The theory test is valid for 2 years so get cracking with your driving!

You need to inform your Instructor and he/she will discuss with you when best for you to sit your Practical Test. You can now arrange with you Instructor a date for you to have a Mock Driving Test and when to book your practical test.

Next time – Step 7: Book your Practical Test

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10 Steps to Pass YOUR Test – Step 5: Booking your Theory Test

Friday, September 30th, 2011
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It is step 5 in our guide to passing your test and we have now reached booking your theory test.

The driving theory test consists of a Multiple Choice Test and a Hazard Perception Test (HPT).The theory test consists of 50 multiple choice questions and you will need to get a minimum of 43 out of 50 in less than 57 minutes to pass this section. The HPT consists of 14 clips of every day road scenes. Each clip is approximately 1 minute in length and contains at least 1 developing hazard, and in one of the clips there will be 2 developing hazards. You need to get a minimum of 44 out of 75 to pass this section.

You can apply for your Theory Test on line at www.dsa.gov.uk or you can book over the phone on 0300 200 1122. The theory test currently costs £31 and to book your test you will need to have a credit/debit card and your provisional license.

In order to pass the theory test you will need to pass both parts of the test. When you have finished your test you will be given the result by the test centre staff.

Next time – Step 6: After passing your Theory Test

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How to prepare for your driving lessons

Monday, August 15th, 2011
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Learning to drive can be a daunting experience for the best of us so here are RED Driving School’s top tips on how to prepare for your first driving lesson and subsequent tuition.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST LESSON 

  • Provisional licence – you will need to present both the card and paper parts of you licence on your first lesson.  If you need to apply for a licence you can pick up an application form from you local post office or you can apply online at http://bit.ly/dsalicenceapplication.
  • If you have lost part of your licence you need to replace this; you can do this online, by telephone or by post.
  • Financial backing – before starting your lesson you will need to have a plan on how to pay for a full driving course whether this is through savings, work or family.  It does not pay to have lessons and then stop due to no money as it will take you longer to pass your test if you do not have regular lessons.
  • Time – ensure you have sufficient time to dedicate to learning to drive – after all it is a new skill that you are acquiring that will require regular practice in order for you to progress.
  • We recommend you have one, two hour lesson each week under the supervision of a professional driving instructor.
  • Attitude – you need to be confident that you will learn how to drive but have the ability to laugh at yourself if you make mistakes, most of us do.
  • Drink – avoid caffeine-based drinks such as tea and coffee before your driving lesson as this accelerates anxiety and you will already be nervous.  It goes without saying that alcohol should be avoided both on the day of your lesson, but also the night before.
  • Clothing – make sure that your clothing on your lesson is comfortable; you will be sat in thecar for at least an hour.  Also make sure that you wear suitable shoes that you can feel the pedals through – no walking boots, heels or flip flops.
  • Sleep – make sure you have a good night’s sleep the night before your lesson.  You want to make sure you are alert as there will be a lot to take in on your first lesson.
  • Be prepared – on the day of your lesson make sure you have both parts of your licence, payment for your lesson and your glasses, if you need them. 

BETWEEN YOUR LESSONS

When your driving lesson is over the learning does not have to stop there.  To enhance your learning you could:

  • Fill out a learner driver journal or diary – once your lesson is over, fill out the journal with what you have covered in the lesson, what went well and what didn’t.  You can use this to reflect on the lesson and prepare for your next lesson.  If you have someone to practice with between lessons, you can use the journal as a guide on what needs practising.
  • Theory and Hazard Perception practice – use the internet and books to revise for your theory test and hazard perception test.  The sooner your theory is passed the better.

Finally, do not forget that if you have any questions about your lessons, your driving ability or anything else then just ask your instructor.

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Could there be changes in the driving licence rules for young drivers?

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
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There is a campaign by the road safety charity, Brake, who is pushing for a radical change in the way young people learn to drive and get their driving licences.  The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme is suggested as a way to improve road safety among young drivers.

The proposed changes mean that the learner drivers would need to have a minimum of one year learning to drive before they are allowed to take any driving tests.  Once they pass their driving tests, they will have a restricted “novice” licence for two years before they receive their full licence. 

Photo by Still Burning

The restricted licence will mean that new learners:

-          Will not be allowed to drive between 11pm and 6am

-          Will have a zero alcohol limit

-          Will be banned from driving on a motorway for the first year after passing

-          Will be required to pass a second test at the end of the first two years to get their full driving licence

-          Will be restricted in carrying young passengers

Research has shown that one quarter of all road accidents are caused by young drivers, one in five young drivers will crash within six months of passing their driving test, and every year over 3,300 young people are killed or suffer serious, life affecting injuries.  It is felt that the proposed changes to the process of learning to drive will ultimately save lives and make roads safer. 

Here at RED we’re interested in how these proposed changes could affect young drivers; share your thoughts here, or on Facebook.

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DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

Friday, November 5th, 2010
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It was announced this week that the Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests.

Why?

The idea behind the change is to help to ensure new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers.

Photo by Toastwife

This announcement follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA’s decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010.

Again, it’s been done to make sure the test assesses a learner’s ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes.

What the officials say:

Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said: “The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road – good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

“No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers.

“I believe that this – along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime – will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

So when will this change take effect?

In September 2011 the DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests.  This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

From 1 January 2012, the DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

If you have any questions surrounding these changes don’t hesitate to ask your driving instructor or send us a message via our official RED Driving School facebook page.

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