Theory Test information
Age
You need to have a provisional licence to start driving and I will ask you for a check code before we start, this is so that I can confirm your entitlement to drive. (More about that below)
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you’re 17 although you can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The Car
MG HS Exclusive PHEV
Well, what can I say about this car other than it is the height of luxury. If it doesn't have it, then that is because it hasn’t been invented yet!
Full leather interior
Electric seat adjustment for forwards, backwards, tilt and height
All four electric windows
Adjustable steering wheel
Power assisted steering
Anti-lock braking system
Dual controls
Full panoramic opening and tilting glass roof
360 degree digital camera view
Easy to read digital dash board
Lane assist
Air conditioning
Electric and petrol
Speed sign recognition
The Lessons
All you need to bring is your provisional driving licence and glasses, if required, to your lesson. Learn with Duncan will provide you with an App that allows us both to keep a record of progress.
Some people have had driving experience before, and some haven’t – and that’s ok. If you have driven before, I will ask a few questions to establish your current level of driving ability, and we’ll go for a drive around a quiet area so that I can watch your driving and you can get used to driving the car.
We can then work on developing any areas which you feel you need to practice, and we’ll perfect any areas that you’ve already got the hang of. Lessons following our first will be continuing developing and challenging your weaknesses and enhancing your strengths.
If you haven’t driven before, we’ll go through the basics of driving a car. First of all, we’ll look at the ‘Cockpit Drill’. This is making sure the car is set up for your use, such as ensuring the seat is adjusted for you, using all the electric controls, and setting the electric mirrors, etc. Following this, we’ll look at the controls of the car – such as what the controls do, which pedals are which and what they do and then onto how to use them. As this car is the top of the range, it doesnt require head restraints to be contstantly adjusted.
On your first lesson, you will be driving if you feel comfortable doing so. It will usually be a quiet residential road and I have dual control pedals to assist if need be. This lesson will be taken at your own pace. Your driving on your first lesson will mostly consist of moving off and stopping to practice using the pedals. We may also look at basic junctions.
If you are nervous and would prefer not to drive on your first lesson, that’s ok too! We can take it slowly at a pace to suit you.
Please look at my contact page and let me know if you have any particular concerns about your driving. I will be happy to accommodate anything that may help you feel more comfortable when starting your lessons.
On subsequent lessons, we will aim to introduce different subjects such as junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, parking, and so on. How quickly we introduce these things will depend on your progress – and it’s important to note that there is no minimum or maximum number of hours you must have – everyone is different and learns at a different pace. You will find me to be very patient, calm, and understanding. All your progress will be recorded on our App.
I will also encourage you to take your theory test as soon as you can although you can legally drive before taking this test. Practicing for your theory test alongside your practical lessons will enable you to put your theory knowledge into practice and put your practical knowledge into your theory.
Leading up to your practical test day, we will do mock tests, where you drive as if it were a real test. By doing mock tests we can look your independent driving as you take responsibility for keeping us both and other road users safe. These mock driving tests may show any areas which require improvment. I understand that doing your practical driving test can be daunting but we will find plenty of ways of trying to get to grips with it as the last thing we want is the test to feel scary. We will spend a lot of time discussing the test and with my PACE and DDP training we will find a number of ways to cope.
I have regular chats with the examiners and I will introduce you to them so that they dont seem so daunting.
Our lessons will be fun and exciting, and I will do anything I can to help make your learning fun and relaxing whilst trying to get you through your driving test as quickly and as safely as possible. My aim is to get your driving to a standard which is both independent of help and most importantly safe.
The Theory Test has two sections
The "Multiple Choice" pass mark is 86%, so you will need to answer 43 out of 50 multiple choice questions correctly to pass. The DVSA tell us that the multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
` The Highway Code
` Know your traffic signs
` Driving - the essential skills
The "Hazard Perception" section involves reacting (clicking) to video clips.
In order to pass the hazard perception test, you must get at least 44 points out of a maximum of 75. For this part you will watch some videos containing one or more hazard. The points you receive depends on the timing, of your click, when you spot the hazard. Some clips will contain more than one hazard.
You need to pass both parts of the theory test when you take it. Passing one is not good enough.
There will need be some revision involved, which I will help you with, and can point you in the direction of apps and websites that can help with your preparation.
You can only take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.
It is advisable to notify DVSA is you have,
` reading difficulty
` disability
` health condition
If you have reading difficulties, you can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book your test. You can hear it in English or Welsh. You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.
You can get,
` extra time to take the test
` someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers
` someone to reword the questions for you
It is important to remember that if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) agree you need extra support then they will help.
Entitlement to drive a car
In June 2015 the paper counterpart of the driving licence was abolished and driving licences now consist of just the photo card. Endorsements, penalty points and driving bans will only be accessible online. As it is possible to have a licence and be banned, before your first driving lesson I will check your full licence details to see which category of vehicles you are permitted to drive, and to check for penalty points and disqualifications.
You must follow these simple steps before the 1st lesson.
You will need to generate a code which will allows Learn with Duncan to check your licence details:
To do this you will need:
Your driving licence
Your national insurance number
Your home postcode
In advance of your first driving lesson Learn with Duncan will view your licence details on-line. Be aware that we may save a screenshot as evidence of the licence entitlement check.
Please note you should also produce your photo card licence for ID inspection on your first lesson. It is your responsibility to provide proof that you have a valid licence to drive, before you move the car.
Test Centres
Westbury test centre closed, in February 2020, leaving Trowbridge as the nearest place to take a driving test. All of our lessons will be with the aim of a test at Trowbridge driving test centre.
