Knowledge Centre
Our Knowledge Centre is here to provide answers to the most common questions asked by people who want to start learning to drive. We hope you find it useful.
There are many reasons why some people find learning to drive difficult here are some of the main reasons.
It is often the first time you try to control something with your feet. Many problems with car control are with the pedals, its is often the reason many learners are seen "Kangarooing" down the road.
To understand why this happens take a moment to think what have you done with your feet prior to starting to learn to drive?
Walking, running, jumping and kicking are the main activities, all big movements. Therefore, your brain only associates your feet with hard forceful movements and that is why you slam the gas and brakes on, jump right off the clutch and go "kangarooing" off down the the road!
Learning to control the pedals to within the thickness of a £1 coin with your feet is very difficult to do, especially with shoes and socks on too!
This can be made easier by having very thin soled shoes on adn having your feet in the correct positions is vital.
A good driving instructor will ensure your your feet are correctly positioned and advice on footwear from the start of your lessons. Paying great detail to these points in the beginning will pay dividends later and help you to learn easier and faster
Before you book a driving lesson you will need to have you Provisional Driving Licence. You do not need to have passed your theory test.
You can apply for your driving licence online at this link Driving Licence Application
Once you have your licence you can then book a driving lesson.
Try to book a local driving school with good reputation.
Once booked the driving instructor will pick you up usually from your home, college or work.
Driving lessons are usually 1 or 2 hours in length but can also be 1.5 hours depending on instructors diary and your availability. Lessons over 2 hours are not really advisable as your concentration will drop considerably after 2 hours.
If you have never driven before and are unable to have driving practice with family or friends in between your lessons you will on average need 40-45 hours tuition.
During the duration of your learning to drive period you should pass your theory test.
Once this is passed you have 2 years to pass your practical test. You also need to pass your theory test to apply for your practical test.
You should apply for your practical driving test when your driving instructor advises you to.
On the day of the test your instructor usually picks you up 1 hour before the test for a "Pre Test" lesson. This enables you to warm up and go over any final points. You will then arrive in the Driving Test Centre about 10 minutes before you test start time.
You will then meet the examiner and go on the driving test with them.
Test will last about 40-45 minutes when you will arrive back in test centre and be given the result.
The amount of driving lessons it takes to learn to drive can vary depending on various factors such as the individual's natural abilities, how frequently they practice, and the complexity of the driving environment. However, on average, it takes about 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice to become a safe and confident driver.
To pass the driving test, you must demonstrate safe and responsible driving skills in a variety of scenarios, including driving on different types of roads, navigating intersections and roundabouts, and performing basic manoeuveres such as parallel parking. It's essential to get plenty of practice, listen to your instructor's feedback, and focus on driving safely and responsibly.
You will be required be able to demonstrate your ability to:
Move off on a hill
Move off from behind a parked car
Carry out a controlled stop
Pull over on right side of road, reverse back two car lengths and move off again
Pull up along side a car and park behind it
Reverse into a car park space
Drive forward into a carpark space and reverse out.
Follow direction signs or a Sat Nav.
When moving off on a hill the car should move away under control and safely. This means it should not roll back at all and you should move away without affecting another road user.
To do this use a routine called the P.O.M Routine
P is Preparation
O is Observation
M is Move away
Preparation should follow this this set of actions.
- Clutch Down
- Select 1st gear
- Place left hand on hand brake
- Right hand on steering wheel
- Right foot by gas pedal
- Raise clutch to bite
- Increase gas
- Check all around
- Release hand bark when safe to go.
If you follow this method you will have full control on the car and you will move away without affecting any other road user.
You can start learning to drive on the road in the UK from your 17th birthday. There is an exception to this in that you can start at 16 years old if you are receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
If you want to start on your 17th it is best to apply for your Provisional Driving Licence early. The earliest you can do his is from 15 years and 9 months. It will have a start date for Category B as your 17th birttday.
The most common reason for driving test failure is Junction Observations. Pulling out of a side road on to a main without taking effective observations is always the most common driving test fail fault. In my opinion this often happens because the pupil is unable to control the car finely enough to get into a position to make the effective observation.
The second most common fault usually ineffective use of mirrors, usually when changing direction. This often occurs when swapping lanes in multi lane situations such as larger roundabouts.
To drive a car, ride a moped, motorbike or operate any other vehicle on UK roads you have to first obtain a "Provisional Driving Licence"
To obtain a provisional licence you must
- Be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months old
- Have been given permission to live in the United Kingdom for at least 185 days
You will have to pay £34 (£43 if applying by post) if applying online using this link APPLY FOR UK PROVISIONAL LICENCE
You will also need an identity document and an address where you have lived for up to last 3 years.
Many people think they are ready to take their driving test when in fact they are driving well below the standard.
The best way to know when you are ready for your driving test is to have a series of Mock Tests throughout your driving lessons.
In our NRDS plan we structure in 4 mock test. One after each section is finished. This way we prepare our pupils for independent driving from the early stages of their learning.
Here are a few pointers that you may find useful to know if you are ready:
- Do you find yourself still looking at the gearstick when changing gear? This is a sure sign your not ready.
- Are you able to drive through a busy area without any help, verbal or physical from your instructor or supervising driver?
- Can you follow road signs and markings to a destination without ANY HELP from your instructor or supervising driver?
- Can you perform Hill Starts, Angled Starts, Emergency Stops and ALL the parking manoeuvres without any help?
- Can you independently enter a dual carriageway , keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you and overtake?
Your Driving Theory Test can be booked online or over the phone.
To book it online please use this link
Or you can call : 0300 200 1122
You do not need to pass your theory test before you start taking driving lessons. It is often best to start lessons first as then your instructor can help you better understand the questions
Parental Guidance: Setting the Right Example
Parents play a crucial role in shaping their teen's driving habits by setting a positive example.
Demonstrating good driving behavior, such as obeying speed limits, using turn signals, and avoiding distractions like mobile phones, teaches teens the importance of safe driving.
Consistently following traffic laws and showing respect for other road users instills a sense of responsibility and attentiveness in young drivers.
By modeling these behaviors, parents can significantly influence their teen's approach to driving, ensuring they develop safe and reliable driving habits from the start.
Also we would like to say once the pupil becomes sufficiently competent enough to start private practice then we do have an insurance company we use who insure just learner drivers.
Finally please take the learner to a quiet area such as the ones we use for their initial lessons. Please do not expect them to drive a completely strange car right from the house as they do on their driving lessons! This is likely to lead to you becoming scared and not taking them again!!
- Study the Highway Code: This is the foundation of UK road rules and essential for passing the theory test. Make sure to understand road signs, rules, and regulations thoroughly.
- Use a Theory Test App: Download a reputable theory test app like Theory Test Pro or DVSA’s official app. These apps provide mock tests that simulate the real exam, giving you the chance to practice answering the questions under exam conditions.
- Practice Hazard Perception: The hazard perception part is crucial. Use the practice clips available on apps or websites to sharpen your observation skills. Focus on identifying developing hazards early to improve your score.
- Take Mock Tests: Regularly complete full mock tests to track your progress. This will help you get used to the format of the test and build your confidence.
- Revise Regularly: Set aside dedicated time each day to revise. Short, focused sessions over a few weeks tend to be more effective than cramming.
- Identify Weak Areas: Review your mock test results to identify any areas you’re struggling with and focus your revision on those topics.
- Join Study Groups or Forums: Consider joining a learner driver forum or study group where you can ask questions, share resources, and get tips from others preparing for the test.
During your first lesson, your instructor will cover the basics, including checking your driving license, ensuring you can read a number plate from 20 meters, and introducing you to vehicle controls.
Before your first lesson, you'll need to bring your provisional driving license.
It's also important to have your eyesight checked; you must be able to read a number plate from 20 meters away.
Also from your welcome pack you will receive in the post, please bring along the GDPR section of the pack.
Yes, you can begin driving lessons before passing your theory test. However, you will need to pass the theory test before booking the practical driving test.
A mock test simulates the conditions of the real driving test. It’s an opportunity for learners to experience the pressures of test conditions and get a feel for what the actual test will be like.
In an emergency stop, react quickly but stay calm. Press the brake firmly while keeping both hands on the wheel, and disengage the clutch to prevent stalling. Check your mirrors before moving off again after stopping.
During the UK driving test, you'll be assessed on your ability to drive safely in different road and traffic conditions. It includes an eyesight check, vehicle safety questions, and about 40 minutes of independent driving. You'll perform various maneuvers such as parallel parking, and may have to stop for an emergency stop. The examiner will also observe how well you follow traffic signs and respond to situations.
- Prepare the Vehicle: Make sure the car is in first gear and that your handbrake (parking brake) is engaged. This prevents the vehicle from rolling backward.
- Check Surroundings: Before moving, check your mirrors and blind spots to ensure it's safe to proceed. Be mindful of other traffic or pedestrians.
- Set the Clutch and Gas: Press the clutch pedal down fully and give the car a little gas (about 1,500 to 2,000 RPM) to prevent stalling. Keep the gas steady.
- Find the Bite Point: Slowly release the clutch until you feel the car pulling slightly against the handbrake. This is known as the "bite point." At this stage, the engine is engaging with the wheels but won’t move yet because of the handbrake.
- Release the Handbrake: Once you have found the bite point, slowly release the handbrake while keeping the clutch and gas steady. The car should begin to move forward uphill without rolling back.
- Continue Releasing the Clutch: As you release the handbrake and the car moves, continue to slowly release the clutch pedal and apply more gas to maintain momentum and avoid stalling.
- Accelerate Up the Hill: Once the clutch is fully released, accelerate smoothly and continue up the hill, shifting gears as necessary.
- Additional Tips: If at any point you feel the car is rolling backward, engage the clutch and handbrake immediately and restart the process to regain control.
Before booking your UK driving test, you should ensure you have passed your theory test and are comfortable with all key maneuvers, such as parallel parking and emergency stops. You must also be confident driving independently, following traffic signs, and navigating various road types.
Speak with your driving instructor before you book this, making sure both the instructor car and instructor is available that day and time.
Professional driving lessons provide structured guidance, tailored instruction, and real-time feedback, which ensures that you build solid driving habits, boost your confidence, and are well-prepared for the UK driving test.
Yes, you can opt for automatic driving lessons if you prefer. While automatic cars can be easier to drive, bear in mind that passing your driving test in an automatic will limit you to driving automatic vehicles only. Learning in a manual provides more flexibility, but it's ultimately a personal choice based on your comfort level and future driving needs.
We are restricted to certain areas that offer automatic driving lessons with NRDS
Minor mistakes are common and don’t necessarily mean you’ll fail. If you make a mistake, stay calm and continue driving. The examiner is looking at your overall driving ability, so one small error won’t automatically result in failure unless it impacts safety.
Practicing between driving lessons reinforces what you’ve learned with your instructor, giving you more time to get comfortable behind the wheel.
It also helps you to encounter a variety of road conditions and scenarios, improving your ability to handle different driving challenges.
The one downside of practicing between lessons is that you may get used to the controls on your own car and find t in the first 5 minutes of your lesson you have to adjust your style back to your instructor's car. However, getting the extra practice in between lessons far out weighs this small amount of time to readjust.