Ten top tips to help you pass 1st time

• Never assume the cheapest lessons are the best. When learning to drive you need value for money, are block booking discounts available, are offers available for post-test tuition for example motorway driving.

• Find out how long your lessons actually are. Some schools have lessons less than an hour long, or you may have to drop off or pick up another pupil.

• Check what type of badge your instructor holds it should be on display. A fully qualified instructor holds a green badge, a trainee instructor a pink badge. A trainee instructor will not have a formal qualification to teach you.

• Make sure the car has dual controls and is in a good condition.

• Can your instructor help you with the theory test?

• Will a record of your progress be kept and will it cover the Driving Standards Agency syllabus.

• Apply for your theory test as soon as you feel confident about passing, don’t delay it will only take you longer to get to the practical driving test.

• Agree with your instructor when to apply for your practical test, you need to have passed the theory & hazard perception test first.

• Take regular lessons ideally 1 to 2 hours weekly, don’t have a break as you may have to repeat lessons to catch up on what may have been forgotten.

• Make sure the tuition vehicle is available for your practical test; your instructor may book the test for you once you have paid the test fee.

Top 10 reasons for failing

According to the DSA, those who pass their driving test have had on average about 45 hours (Driving Standards Agency average, 2006) of professional training with a qualified instructor with an additional 22 hours of private practice.

Candidates who combine professional instruction with private practice are also more likely to be successful. The current pass rate nationally is only 43% (June2004). For 1st time candidates it’s even lower.

Top reasons for failing

• Observations at junctions – ineffective observation & judgement

• Reverse parking – ineffective observation or lack of accuracy

• Use of mirrors – not checking or acting on the information

• Reversing around a corner – ineffective observation or lack of accuracy

• Incorrect use of signals – not cancelling or giving misleading signals

• Moving away safely – ineffective observation

• Incorrect positioning on the road – at roundabouts or on bends

• Lack of steering control – steering too early or leaving it too late or mounting kerbs

• Incorrect positioning to turn right – at junctions and in one way streets

• Inappropriate speed – travelling too slowly or too fast or being hesitant