Learn to drive a car: step by step
Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.
You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practice.
You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.
You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.
You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.
You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.
COMPETENCIES YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN
Your driving test will cover many of the following areas if you have knowledge and experience in these areas you will pass your driving test.
DRIVING ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- The Highway Code
- Know Your Traffic Signs
- Vehicle handbook
- Other traffics
- Signals
COCKPIT CHECKS
- DSSSM
- driving position
- head restraints
- seat belts
- doors
- gears and handbrake safety check
- mirrors
- order of adjustment
- mirror adjustment, including anti-dazzle
- variety of seat adjustments
SAFETY CHECKS
- POWER (petrol - oil - water - electrics - rubber)
- daily and weekly vehicle checks
- service intervals
- planning for journeys
- clear windscreens
MOVING AWAY & STOPPING
- MSM and PSL
- observation and blind spots
- control and co-ordination
- on level and on gradient
- at angle and straight ahead
- co-ordination of accelerator, clutch and footbrake
- handbrake and steering
- where, when and what to look for
- suitable stopping places
- signals when necessary
SAFE POSITIONING
- normal driving
- lane discipline
- passing stationary vehicles and obstructions
- bends
- MSM and PSL
- other vehicle’s positioning (LGV, cyclists etc)
- wide and narrow roads
- one-way streets
MIRRORS - VISION & USE
- interior and exterior
- flat, concave and convex
- MSM and PSL
- when to use them
- why they should be used
- how to act on what is seen
- blind spots
- frequency of checks and why
ANTICIPATION & PLANNING
- risk awareness in connection with: drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, animals, road works, emergency vehicles and any other road users
- MSM and PSL
- hazard perception
- visual warnings
- times and places of high risk
- weather conditions
- scanning and priorities
USE OF SPEED
- appropriate speed
- making progress
- hesitancy
- national speed limits
- restricted speed limits
- road and weather conditions
- traffic conditions
- pedestrian activity
- stopping distances
OTHER TRAFFIC
- meeting, crossing and overtaking
- one way and two way roads
- three-lane two-way roads
- major, minor and narrow roads
- dual carriageways
- MSM and PSL
- when and why to give way
- passing places and warning signs
- obstructions, parked vehicles
- planning and anticipation
- how to act on what is seen
- motorways
JUNCTIONS
- T-junctions and Y-junctions
- crossroads and slip roads
- marked and unmarked junctions
- one-way streets
- urban, rural and dual carriageways
- MSM and PSL
- turning, entering and emerging
- advance warning signs and road markings
- zones of vision
- priorities
ROUNDABOUTS
- mini and major
- multiple and satellite
- traffic light controlled
- approaching and entering
- leaving and turning
- straight ahead
- MSM and PSL
- lane discipline
- correct position
- zones of vision
- observation
- priorities
SIGNALS
- by arm and by indicators
- brake, reversing and hazard lights
- by other road users and traffic controllers
- why signals are necessary
- when and how to signal
- unnecessary signals
Course Structure
We shall guide you every step of the way through to finally taking your driving test. When figuring out how to drive there are an assortment of driving methods, moves and rules you should rehearse altogether to dominate the craftsmanship and at last persuade your driving educator and test inspector that you are protected out and about.
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
Note: The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.
Note: The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.
You’ll drive for around 40 minutes.You’ll drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate. You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving ‘show me’ question while you’re driving
‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving ‘show me’ question while you’re driving
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
We teach you how to approach a roundabout how to enter a roundabout and the correct signalling procedure when going round a roundabout.
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.
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.
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
A dangerous fault – this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property.
A serious fault – something potentially dangerous.
A driving fault – this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault.
A dangerous fault – this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property.
A serious fault – something potentially dangerous.
A driving fault – this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault.
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
No more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
No serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)
The examiner will:
tell you what faults you made, if any
Give you a pass certificate
Ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically – give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this
No more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
No serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)
The examiner will:
tell you what faults you made, if any
Give you a pass certificate
Ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically – give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this
Car 'show me, tell me' vehicle safety questions
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.
The examiner will ask you one:
- ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
- ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving
You’ll get one driving fault (sometimes called a ‘minor’) if you get one or both questions wrong.
Note:
You’ll fail your driving test if your driving is dangerous or potentially dangerous while you answer the ‘show me’ question.
‘Tell me’ questions
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
Note:
You need to open the bonnet and tell the examiner how you’d do the check if you’re asked question 12, 13 or 14.
‘Show me’ questions
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?