..:: A1 Weston School of Motoring, St Austell, Cornwall | Comprehensive, Personal and Patient Driver Tuition

What can I use to help me prepare for the practical Driving Test?

To prepare properly for the practical test we recommend that you have good quality driving instruction but to accelerate your learning and understanding we recommend choosing a product from our recommended supplier www.tsoshop.co.uk If you already have the relevant material to revise with, make sure it's still in date; laws and procedures are changing all the time.

Do examiners have pass / fail quotas?

Examiners do not have a quota for test passes or fails. If you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your test.

Are the examiners supervised?

Yes, they are closely supervised. A senior officer may sit in on your test. Don't worry about this. The senior officer won't be examining you, but making sure the examiner is testing you properly. The senior officer won't interfere with the test, so just carry on as if he or she wasn't there.

Who Can Teach Me to Drive a Car?

Before someone can charge you for lessons they must successfully complete the qualifying exams and be registered on the approved driving instructor register and display either the green octagon (fully qualified) or the pink triangle (trainee).

Any accompanying driver must have held a full EC / EEA driving licence for at least three years for the category of vehicle being driven

Be at least 21 years of age.

The car you intend to use must be:

Insured for the learner

Fitted with L-plates which are visible both from the front and rear of the vehicle

In a safe and roadworthy condition

Fitted with an interior rear-view mirror for the examiner (not the vanity mirror)

Fitted with a front passenger seat belt

Fitted with an integral head restraint

How many lessons must I have before I can sit my practical test?

There is currently no set number of driving lessons you must have before sitting your practical test. However the Driving Standards Agency have recently stated that candidates who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training, combined with 22 hours of private practice.
Candidates who combine professional instruction with private practice are also more successful on the test.

What are provisional licence conditions?

As a provisional licence holder you:

Must display L-plates on the front and rear of your vehicle
Not allowed to drive on a motorway
Must drive under supervision from a fully qualified driver with you who meets these requirements:

They are at least 21 years of age, and

Has held a full licence in that category for at least three years.

What documents do I need to take to the practical test?

Please make sure you have:

Your driving licence (card and paper counterpart)
Your theory test certificate
The vehicle's current MOT certificate (if applicable)
A in date tax disc displayed on your vehicle (if applicable)
If you do not have the correct documents your test may not proceed.

What if I can't find my driving licence?

If you misplace your licence you must apply for a replacement from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which could take up to 15 days. If this happens, you may have to re-arrange your test.

How do I book my Practical Test?

You can obtain a driving test application form (DL26) from your driving instructor, any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Welsh speakers can also book on 0870 0100 372. If you are deaf and need a Minicom machine please telephone 0870 0106 372.
If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a driving test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form.

You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence, your theory test pass certificate number and your driving school code if you are being trained by a professional driving instructor. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment card as confirmation within a few days. You can also book online www.direct.gov.uk

Cancelling a test - you are required to give a minimum of three clear working days notice of your decision to cancel or postpone your test; otherwise you will lose your test fee. If you are unwell on the day of the test and can get a doctor to verify this, the DSA will refund the test fee.

What will the test include?

Apart from general driving, your test will include:

An eyesight test - if you fail this, your test will not commence
Two 'show me, tell me' questions
Special exercises - from October 2010 you'll be asked to carry out only one of the following;

Reversing around a corner

Turning in the road

Reverse parking or bay parking

'Independent driving'

An emergency stop exercise - only one in three tests do this

How should I drive during the test?

Drive in the way that your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry. It might be a minor 'driving error' (your limit is 15 minor errors on test) and may not affect your result. Your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard. Also, whilst on your test do not look at the examiners' test sheet but concentrate on what is happening now and what is about to happen, not what has happened.

What if I do something dangerous?

If at any time during your test you make a serious or dangerous fault you will fail. The test will not necessarily be stopped unless either you or the examiner wishes it to stop. Prepare yourself and wait until you reach the standards set out in The Official Driving Test book before you take your test.

Can anyone accompany me on the test?

You can request that a friend or your instructor be present, but they must not interfere in any way or your test would be terminated. You can bring an interpreter with you if you need one. They must be 16 years or over and wear suitable seat restraints where they are available.

How much notice do I have to give to cancel my practical test, so I don't lose my fee?

Three clear working days (not including the day you cancel or the test day).

Can I drive a 'automatic' car for the test?

Yes. When you pass your practical test your full driving licence will entitle you to drive an 'automatic' car. It will also act as a provisional licence for a car with a manual gearbox. You will be limited thereafter to driving automatics only. All cars without a clutch pedal are classed as an automatic even if you change gears as per a manual gear lever.

Do I need to pass a car theory test if i already hold a full motorcycle licence?

Yes. Your full motorcycle licence (Category A) does not exempt you from passing a car (Category B) theory test, unless you have passed a test in a sub-category of B e.g: Tricycle.

Do I have to take another test if I want to tow a large trailer behind my car?

It depends on when you took and passed your car practical test. If you passed your car practical test before 1 January 1997 you will not have to sit another practical test. If you took your test after that date you will have to sit another practical test depending on the weight of the trailer and that of the overall combination to obtain the 'B + E' entitlement.

Can I take my car theory test before my 17th birthday?

No. You can only take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid. For a car this will be your 17th birthday. You can, however book your theory test before your 17th birthday. Candidates in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate may take their theory test before their 17th birthday as long as they have a valid provisional licence

Where can I take my Theory Test?

There are over 160 test centres throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You can find a list of test centres from your Driving Instructor, or alternatively, telephone the DSA's information line or visit their website: 0870 01 01 372 www.direct.gov.uk

What do I need to take with me to the Theory Test?

Before you leave home, make sure that you have all the necessary documents you need! You will need both parts of your licence (i.e. the plastic card and signed paper counterpart) and your appointment card or booking number. If you have an old paper style licence, then you will need to take this with you, along with a suitable form of photographic identification, such as a passport.
If you don't bring the correct documents with you on the day, you won't be able to take your test and you'll lose your fee. If you have any queries about what photographic ID is acceptable, contact the DSA's enquiry line on 0870 01 01 372. Arrive in plenty of time so that you aren't rushed!

Trouble reading or writing. Can I get help with the test?

Yes Arrangements are in place for candidates with reading difficulties, including extra time allowance and/or aural versions of the questions. Please give details when you apply for the test.

Can I get help if I'm deaf or have hearing difficulties?

Yes. Arrangements are in place for candidates with reading difficulties, including extra time allowance and / or aural versions of the questions. Please give details when you apply for the test.

Is there a time limit on passing the Practical Driving Test after the Theory Test?

Yes. You must pass the practical test within 2 years of passing the Theory Test; otherwise you must re-sit the Theory Test.

Can I take the Test in a language other than English?

Yes. Theory Test candidates can listen through a headset to the test being read out in one of 20 different languages. These are:

Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Gujerati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kurdish, Mirpuri ,Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi ,Pushto, Spanish, Tamil, Turkis, Urdu and Welsh

Do I have to take the test in a room on my own?

No. The Theory Test will be conducted under examination conditions, with one or two people supervising up to 30 candidates taking the test at any one time.
Candidates sitting at adjacent desks are likely to have different test papers; therefore it is possible that every candidate will have different questions on their screen.

What if I want to take my Practical Driving Test but I have lost my Theory Test certificate?

You will need to contact the customer service team at the DSA responsible for the Theory Test on 0161 868 3990 and they will be able to help you further.
You may need to prove to the driving test examiner that you have passed your Theory Test, so you will either be issued with a letter to say that you have passed or you will be told what your theory certificate number is.

Do Theory Test Centres have wheelchair access?

Most do, yes. In the event that your closest test centre does not, you may be asked to take your exam at another centre. In special circumstances the test may be taken at home. If you have any special needs these can be catered for.

Can I cancel or change my Theory Test appointment?

Yes, but if you wish to cancel or change your Theory Test appointment, you must give at least three whole working days notice, or else you will forfeit your Theory Test fee. For example, if you want to cancel your test and it is on a Tuesday, you will need to ring the booking office by the previous Wednesday afternoon at the latest.

What if I'm late for the Test?

To avoid distracting other candidates, late admission into the Theory Test examination room cannot be allowed. Appointments are given as 15 minutes before the start of examination conditions, therefore candidates arriving after the appointment time, but within the 15 minutes administration period, are usually allowed in to take their test. No admission is allowed once the exam has started and will result in the loss of the test fee. The safest thing is. DON'T BE LATE!

Your test Documentation

Your theory test pass certificate

Both parts of your licence (photographic driving licence card and signed paper counterpart)

Acceptable forms of photographic identification include:

Your photo card driving licence

Your passport (which doesn't have to be a British passport)

An employer's identity or workplace pass bearing your photograph and name or signature or both

Trade union card bearing your photograph and signature

School Bus Pass bearing the name of the issuing authority and your photograph and signature

A signed photograph, together with a suitable statement from a recognised figure of authority

Acceptable figures who can certify you as being the named person include:

Approved Driving Instructor

Member of Parliament

Medical practitioner

Teacher (qualified)

Justice of the Peace

Police officer

Civil servant (established)

Bank official

Minister of religion

Barrister

Solicitor

It is extremely important that you arrive in good time at the test centre so that the above documents can be checked. If you arrive after the start time you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will lose your test fee.

Your test vehicle

The vehicle you intend to drive must be legally roadworthy, has a current MOT certificate if over the prescribed age and be fully covered by insurance for its present use and for you to drive. Your test vehicle should also display a valid tax disc and L-plates to the front and the rear. Your vehicle must also have a properly fitted head restraint and a fully functioning seat belt fitted to the front passenger seat, and an additional interior rear-view mirror for suitable use by the examiner.
The driver will be asked to sign a declaration that the cars insurance is in order. The test will not be conducted if you are unwilling to do this.

Hire cars are unlikely to be insured for this purpose.
If you overlook any of the above your test may be cancelled and you will lose your fee.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information this A1 Weston School of Motoring cannot be held accountable for any consequence of actions howsoever arising from this information. This information is intended to be used as a guide only; please visit the relevant Government website at your own convenience.

"I really couldn't have done it without you. You really went the extra mile. Your patience and support made all the difference and I really cannot thank you enough. I would highly recommend you - if you can get me through a test you can get anyone! You've made my dreams come true; passing my test is one of the happiest days of my life. Thank you!"
Amanda Young, St Austell

"I found your tuition very professional and at a great, competitive price. You had great patience and taught me well and I would highly recommend you to others. Thanks for helping me pass first time!"
Chris Young, St Austell

"I am very happy with the service I received when taking my driving lessons. Your tuition was to a high standard which made the experience a whole lot less nerve-wracking"
Brendan Casley, St Austell

"Simon's patience and his tuition were very valuable to me. I would highly recommend him to anyone!"
Gary Camps, St Austell

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A1 Weston School of Motoring
Trelowth Road
Polgooth St.Austell
Cornwall PL26 7AZ