Applying for your Provisional Licence

First things first, before you can even get into a car and start learning to drive, you have to get hold of a provisional driving licence.

To apply for this, you must complete the application form D1 that's available from either the 'Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service', or from your local Post Office. Alternatively you can now apply for a provisional licence online. Visit www.direct.gov.uk and follow the directions. It takes about 4 weeks for your application to be processed and for your licence to be sent to you - so if you want to start learning to drive as soon as you hit 17, make sure you apply early!

The Theory Test

The theory test must be passed before you take the practical exam.
It is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part which is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part which records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.. 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. We can advise on the learning materials required and advise and provide you with support at every stage. To book the theory test you will need to contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on 300 200 1122 or online at www.dsa.gov.uk.

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.
You'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
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 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 PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now able to offer tests outside the normal test times at a number of test centres. This provides customers a wider range of appointments over an extended working day.
Practical tests are generally available at all permanent test centres. Saturday and weekday evening tests, subject to resources being available, are offered at a premium rate. Non premium rate tests are available at various times between 7.30 am and 3.27 pm Monday to Friday.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• Can drive safely
• Know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

You must bring the following items with you to the test. If you don't, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee

An appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L- Plates, that's suitable for the test. OpenRoute Driving School car is perfect for the test.

• The appropriate theory test pass certificate.
• Your appointment letter confirming your test time and date
• Both parts of your photo card licence. If you don't take both parts of your licence, your test will not take place and you'll lose your fee
• If you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driving licence and separate approved photo identification with you

Before the practical driving test, your driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle.The distance requirement for the eyesight test using old style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC. After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

• Reversing around a corner
• Turning in the road
• Reverse parking
• You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

What happens during the test?

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes .During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

After the practical test

When the driving test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

APPLYING FOR THE FULL DRIVING LICENCE

Congratulations you passed! You can now get out on the road. Don't forget that you now need to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and exchange your test pass certificate and provisional driving licence for a new 'Full' driving licence as soon as possible.