How do I book my Practical test?...
You have to pass your Theory test before you can book your practical test. When you have been successful at your theory you should time the booking of your practical test to fall when you are confident and have completed all topics of driving satisfactorily (e.g. If you wait until you are completely ready and then book your test it could be up to 8 weeks for an available test date in peak summer time! So you would have 8 weeks of more cost to keep you at the correct level. Likewise booking your test too early can put you under too much pressure and will harm your confidence if you are not ready.)
You can book your test by Phone, Post or Internet.
The Phone number to book your test is 0300 200 1122. You need to have a credit/debit card (if your booking using your parents card, they will be asked to come on the phone and give their details or they can book your test for you). You also need your driving licence number and may be asked for your theory test pass certificate number.
To book by post you will need to use the form DL26 which is available in the waiting room of Practical test centres or sometimes from your driving instructor. However you will not know the date of your driving test until you get your confirmation letter unlike the other options where you find out immediately.
The Internet is my preferred booking method as you don’t have to wait on hold and have the options of available test slots for you to choose from ( which allows you to confirm with your instructor easier). However you do need more information to book on-line. You need your Driving Licence number, Theory pass certificate number, the date when you passed your theory test, your D.O.B. and if your instructor uses the booking service then you will need their ADI number to book your test.
You can book your test via www.Direct.gov.uk/drivingtest
What do I need when attending for my Practical test...
You have to pass your Theory test before you can book your practical test. When you have been successful at your theory you should time the booking of your practical test to fall when you are confident and have completed all topics of driving satisfactorily (e.g. If you wait until you are completely ready and then book your test it could be up to 8 weeks for an available test date in peak summer time! So you would have 8 weeks of more cost to keep you at the correct level. Likewise booking your test too early can put you under too much pressure and will harm your confidence if you are not ready.)
You can book your test by Phone, Post or Internet.
The Phone number to book your test is 0300 200 1122. You need to have a credit/debit card (if your booking using your parents card, they will be asked to come on the phone and give their details or they can book your test for you). You also need your driving licence number and may be asked for your theory test pass certificate number.
To book by post you will need to use the form DL26 which is available in the waiting room of Practical test centres or sometimes from your driving instructor. However you will not know the date of your driving test until you get your confirmation letter unlike the other options where you find out immediately.
The Internet is my preferred booking method as you don’t have to wait on hold and have the options of available test slots for you to choose from ( which allows you to confirm with your instructor easier). However you do need more information to book on-line. You need your Driving Licence number, Theory pass certificate number, the date when you passed your theory test, your D.O.B. and if your instructor uses the booking service then you will need their ADI number to book your test.
You can book your test via www.Direct.gov.uk/drivingtest
What do I need when attending for my Practical test...
Arriving at the Test Centre. You should ensure you arrive at the test centre allowing time to park conveniently and in the test centre bays where applicable. If you are not attending with an instructor you need to remember that if you arrive to early you will block the people coming back at the end of their test and this should be avoided. You will probably notice other learner cars waiting around the test centre area until the test before has left and then entering usually 5 minutes before their actual test time. Remember to check your confirmation letter for any special instructions as to parking etc. If you arrive late you may forfeit the test and test fee.
The Documents you need. You need to make sure you have both parts of your driving licence (Plastic card and the paper counterpart) or old-style paper licence together with a VALID passport (make sure its not out of date!). You may also be asked to present your Theory test pass certificate and confirmation letter of test date.
The Test Vehicle. You will use the car you have been learning in unless you don’t go with your instructor then you will have to make sure your car satisfies the following (your instructors car will!):
The car must be suitable, roadworthy vehicle which is properly taxed and insured (with MOT is applicable).
It must have a suitable rear seat for use by an accompanying official.
Some soft-top cars are not suitable due to restricted rear vision for the examiner (soft-tops are not allowed for ADI part 2 tests).
Cars with an electrically operated handbrakes are not allowed for the test unless they can be manually overridden and operated as a conventional handbrake
Space-saver tyres are not allowed to be used for the test and any modification internal or external that the examiner considers unsafe will also not be allowed.
Must display ‘L’ plates!
And you must provide an additional rear view mirror for the examiner to use.
Also check that your car has had any re-call notices/problems fixed and bring documents to prove this (recently I saw a Peugeot 206 turn up with candidate and mother but was unable to be used as their had been a recall for the bonnet catch (think that was the one!) and no documents that it had been fixed.
The Documents you need. You need to make sure you have both parts of your driving licence (Plastic card and the paper counterpart) or old-style paper licence together with a VALID passport (make sure its not out of date!). You may also be asked to present your Theory test pass certificate and confirmation letter of test date.
The Test Vehicle. You will use the car you have been learning in unless you don’t go with your instructor then you will have to make sure your car satisfies the following (your instructors car will!):
The car must be suitable, roadworthy vehicle which is properly taxed and insured (with MOT is applicable).
It must have a suitable rear seat for use by an accompanying official.
Some soft-top cars are not suitable due to restricted rear vision for the examiner (soft-tops are not allowed for ADI part 2 tests).
Cars with an electrically operated handbrakes are not allowed for the test unless they can be manually overridden and operated as a conventional handbrake
Space-saver tyres are not allowed to be used for the test and any modification internal or external that the examiner considers unsafe will also not be allowed.
Must display ‘L’ plates!
And you must provide an additional rear view mirror for the examiner to use.
Also check that your car has had any re-call notices/problems fixed and bring documents to prove this (recently I saw a Peugeot 206 turn up with candidate and mother but was unable to be used as their had been a recall for the bonnet catch (think that was the one!) and no documents that it had been fixed.
What to expect on your test...
The Practical Test is designed to test your driving ability under a variety of traffic conditions.
TEST FORMAT
* You will be asked to sign a declaration at the start of your test and also your Licence and counterpart will be checked.
* After exiting the test centre your eye site will be checked . The examiner will ask you to read a number plate!
* The ‘Show me Tell Me’ Questions will then be asked. Check out my Show Me Tell Me page for more details
* You will then start-off on your test route and return to the test centre approximately 40 minutes later having completed the test route and two manoeuvres ( sometimes bay-park is completed at the beginning or at the end of the test). You may also have to complete an Emergency Stop exercise (1-in-3 do this exercise).
Any faults will be marked on your test form and you will be offered a de-briefed to you at the end. If you were successful you will be given a pass certificate and your provisional licence will be taken by the examiner. You also will be given a new driver magazine and told about the ‘Pass Plus’ Course.
If you test is coming up soon - Good Luck. And when you pass remember ‘Safe Driving for Life’!
If you need any more information the email me and I will endeavour to respond ASAP.
TEST FORMAT
* You will be asked to sign a declaration at the start of your test and also your Licence and counterpart will be checked.
* After exiting the test centre your eye site will be checked . The examiner will ask you to read a number plate!
* The ‘Show me Tell Me’ Questions will then be asked. Check out my Show Me Tell Me page for more details
* You will then start-off on your test route and return to the test centre approximately 40 minutes later having completed the test route and two manoeuvres ( sometimes bay-park is completed at the beginning or at the end of the test). You may also have to complete an Emergency Stop exercise (1-in-3 do this exercise).
Any faults will be marked on your test form and you will be offered a de-briefed to you at the end. If you were successful you will be given a pass certificate and your provisional licence will be taken by the examiner. You also will be given a new driver magazine and told about the ‘Pass Plus’ Course.
If you test is coming up soon - Good Luck. And when you pass remember ‘Safe Driving for Life’!
If you need any more information the email me and I will endeavour to respond ASAP.
Top 10 reasons people fail their driving test...
The top ten reasons why people fail their driving test:, in no particular order. If you search google you will find lots of reasons although they all mainly agree with the ones below! :
Observation at Junctions - Usually Ineffective observation.
I SAY :The most common reason why people fail their test is usually down to not observing effectively.
This is mainly due to people rushing up to junctions and not giving them selves the time to observe and act on what they have seen. Don’t be rushed into junctions, check your mirrors and slow down to an appropriate speed so you get plenty of time to observe the road, road users and pedestrians.
The Driving Test Report (DL25D) SAYS: Junctions(including roundabouts). You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you can enter a junction safely and stop if necessary. Position your vehicle Correctly. Use the correct lane. If you are turning right, keep as near to the centre of the road as is safe. Avoid cutting the corner when turning right. If turning left, keep over to the left and do not swing out. Watch for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on you left and pedestrians who are crossing. You must take effective observation before moving into a junction and make sure it is safe before proceeding
This is mainly due to people rushing up to junctions and not giving them selves the time to observe and act on what they have seen. Don’t be rushed into junctions, check your mirrors and slow down to an appropriate speed so you get plenty of time to observe the road, road users and pedestrians.
The Driving Test Report (DL25D) SAYS: Junctions(including roundabouts). You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you can enter a junction safely and stop if necessary. Position your vehicle Correctly. Use the correct lane. If you are turning right, keep as near to the centre of the road as is safe. Avoid cutting the corner when turning right. If turning left, keep over to the left and do not swing out. Watch for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on you left and pedestrians who are crossing. You must take effective observation before moving into a junction and make sure it is safe before proceeding
Use of Mirrors -
.Top 10 reasons people fail their driving test to be continued soon....
.Top 10 reasons people fail their driving test to be continued soon....
Chris’s Top Tips to pass coming soon...
For more details please call or email me. I am developing this site in my spare time so please bear with me.
Thanks
Chris Richards
Driving Standards Agency
Approved Driving Instructor (CAR)
Driving Lessons Preston
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Driving Lessons / Tuition / School in Preston. DSA / DIA Professional Driving Instructor.
Driving Lessons / Tuition / School in Preston. DSA / DIA Professional Driving Instructor.
Key Words : Driving Lesson Preston. Driving Lessons Preston. Driving tuition Preston. Driving Courses Preston. Taxi Training Preston.
Pass Plus Preston, Intensive lessons preston, Quick Pass Preston, Driving Lessons Leyland, Driving Lessons Chorley,
Driving Lessons in Preston, Leyland, Chorley and surrounding areas. Weekly, Intensive, Quick pass, Pass Plus and Advanced tuition in style in a Mini Cooper.
* DSA Approved Driving Instructor
* DIA Professional Driving Instructor
* DIAmond Accredited Taxi Driver Trainer
Chris Richards ADI - 07961 828 528
Check out my
Show Me Tell Me page
