Chris's Diving School
The areas leading driving school, offering top quality tuition, in a relaxed, friendly environment at affordable prices.
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Tuition for new learners, learners approaching test standard, pass plus, motorway lessons, advanced driving lessons, refresher courses.
Problem Solving:
Problems reversing, don't understand roundabouts, flustered in congested traffic, hill start nightmares and many others
Making learning to drive affordable for everyone.:
Covering Garstang, Galgate, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Heysham, Morecambe, Hest Bank, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth and outlying areas..
A Leading Lancaster Driving Instructor
The Tests
There are two tests you need to pass to get your full UK driving license. The Theory Test and Practical Test. You must pass the theory test before you can book your practical test. You can take either test as many times as required, but there is a 2year expiry period on your theory test certificate. If you do not pass your practical test within two years of passing the theory you will need to re pass the theory test.
The theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.
Taking your theory test
The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and
the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a
computer mouse button.
If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and
you'll need to take both parts again.
The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the
category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for i.e. a
motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear
in any other test.
For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for
different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however
the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.
Part one - multiple choice
Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test
works.
You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple
choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of
the practice session the real test will begin.
A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have
to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen.
Some questions may require more than one answer.
For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and
the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
From 28 September 2009 some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions
will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that
five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on
real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when
driving.
You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to
come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can
choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard
perception part starts.
Part two - hazard perception
After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about
how the hazard perception part works.
The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you
respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a
series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each
clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips
will feature two developing hazards.
To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard
during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on
each hazard is five.
You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test;
as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing
hazard.
The pass mark for the car hazard perception part of the theory test is
44 out of 75.
At the end of the test
At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be
invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.
You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any
information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions
don't affect the result of the test.
When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once
you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll
then be given your result by the test centre staff.
The UK practical driving test is one of the most strict and difficult to pass across the globe.
At present the test fee is £62 during normal hours or £75 for evenings and weekends.
What Happens During the Test?
Before the test you will need to make sure you have a suitable vehicle which is appropriately insured and is displaying "L-plates" also a secondary rear view mirror is required for the examiners use. In most cases, where you have been having professional lessons from a qualified ADI or PDI, you are likely to do the test in the vehicle you are learning in. If not then you need to check that your vehicle meets the DSA minimum test vehicle requirements.
You will also need your theory test pass certificate (or pass confirmation print out). You will also need both parts of your license (photo card and paper counterpart). If you do not take both parts your test will be CANCELLED and your FEE LOST.
You are allowed to have an accompanying driver on test with you. This must be some one aged 16years or older, and they must sit quiet and still in the back of the car and take no part in the test.
When it is nearly time for your test, you will go into the test centre waiting room, with your documents ready, and wait for the examiner to call you. The examiner will ask to see your documents (both parts of license and theory certificate). The examiner will ask you to read and sign a declaration stating that you are a UK resident and that the car is insured for test purposes.
The examiner will then give you back your documents (keep them with you) and ask you to lead the way to your vehicle. On the way there the examiner will conduct the eyesight test. After which the vehicle safety questions.
During the test the examiner will try to keep you calm. They will give you clear and concise directions and instructions. If you feel you have made a mistake - do not panic!!! It is not the end of the world and certainly does not mean you have failed (let the examiner decide that). Try to keep calm and focus on the moment and what you are doing - not what has happened or what the result might be. Concentrate on what you are doing.
It is your test - do not be afraid of the examiner, if you’re not sure of what is being asked then do not be afraid to ask.
You will be asked several times to park on the left during the test - do not worry - this is normal. The examiner is just testing your ability to find correct places to park and then set off safely in a variety of conditions.
You will be asked to do 2 out of a possible 4 manoeuvres. These are:
1. Reverse Parking into a Bay
2. Parallel Parking
3. Reversing around a Corner
4. Turn in the Road
You may also be asked to perform a controlled (emergency) stop.
The test will last around 40 minutes. At the end of the test the examiner will then total faults on the report sheet (DL25) and will inform you of the result.
You are allowed to commit up to 15 driving (minor) faults but no serious or dangerous faults. Repeated instances of the same driving fault would be classed as a habitual problem and be declared a serious fault. If you commit even one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.
The Eyesight Test
At the start of your driving test, you will be asked to read the number plate of a stationary vehicle from 67ft (20.5m) or 66ft (20m) in the case of it being a new-style plate.
If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you are allowed to copy down what you see on the number plate.
If you can't read the number plate correctly, you'll be asked to read
a different number plate. If you cannot read that number plate
correctly, you'll be allowed to walk forward until you're just over the
appropriate distance away from it.
If you still can't read the number plate correctly, the examiner will
ask you to try again with a third number plate and this time the
examiner will actually measure the precise distance from this number
plate (67 feet/20.5 metres if you are asked to read an old-style number
plate, and 66 feet/20 metres if you are asked to read a new-style number
plate).
If you can't read the third number plate correctly, and the examiner is
satisfied that you don't meet the required eyesight standard, you will
fail the driving test, and the rest of the test will be abandoned. The
examiner will mark the test failure on the driving test report form
(DL25)
If you were only able to read a number plate using glasses or contact
lenses, the law requires that you wear them throughout your driving test
and whenever you are driving.
If you have broken, forgotten or brought the wrong glasses with you to
your driving test, you should tell your examiner at the start of the
test.
Vehicle Safety Questions
The vehicle safety questions are sometimes referred to as
"Show-Me-Tell-Me", as some of the questions require the candidate to
actually demonstrate a procedure or indicate where a particular
component is, while other questions simply require a verbal explanation.
Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to
identify where fluid levels would be checked, candidates will not be
asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
If you are taking your driving test in your instructor's car, then your
instructor will go through all the questions with you and make sure you
know where everything is both inside the car and under the bonnet.
If you are taking the practical test in your own car, you will need to
familiarise yourself with the layout and operation of your vehicle with
reference to the manufacturer's handbook if necessary.
You can download a copy of the questions here.
The Drive
You will be driving the car for around 35-40 minutes. The routes used
for driving tests are all designed to be as uniform as possible - all of
them take in a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
The examiner will assess your driving and test you on most of the topics
you will have covered with your instructor.
You will be asked to carry out two of the following manoeuvres;
* Reverse parking behind a parked car (parallel park)
* Reversing into a parking bay (bay park)
* Reversing round a corner
* Turn in the road
You MAY also be asked to demonstrate a controlled (emergency) stop.
Throughout the test, the examiner will also be assessing your Eco-Safe
Driving techniques, although failing to demonstrate eco-safe driving
will not cause you to fail your driving test.
Eco-Safe Driving
Eco-Safe Driving is now included in the UK driving test
From September 2008, driving examiners started giving feedback to
driving test candidates on their eco-safe driving manner.
During your driving test you will be assessed on your ability to drive
in a way that shows eco-safe (environmentally friendly) driving
techniques.
You will NOT fail your driving test however, if you do not demonstrate
eco-safe driving techniques, but at the end of the test, the examiner
will give you guidance on how efficiently you're driving.
The Driving Test Result - the moment of truth
Pass or Fail?
At the end of the test, the examiner will inform you of the result
before he or she gets out of the vehicle.
If you would like your driving instructor to be present to hear what the
examiner has to say, you must let the examiner know.
If you have passed, you will be given a test pass certificate and a copy
of the DL25 (the driving test report form which the examiner has been
filling in during the test). The examiner will take your provisional
driving licence and a full driving licence will be sent to you by post.
You will be entitled to drive quite legally in the meantime while you
wait for your full driving licence to arrive (but keep the pass
certificate VERY safe in case you are required to prove your entitlement
to drive while you wait for your updated licence!)
Less than half of the people who take driving tests pass and, should you
be unsuccessful, you will be given a verbal explanation of where you
went wrong and a copy of the DL25. This will help you, in conjunction
with your instructor, to work on the aspects of your driving that let
you down to give you a greater chance of passing the next time.
*For all candidates that Chris presented on test in 2011. The average for all instructors and candidates at Heysham Test Centre was 52%(over 30% less than Chris)