How quickly can I pass my driving test?

That question is very common, and of course the rate at which people learn is different for every individual. We can give you an honest answer after your first few lessons. I have had people pass after just a few weeks and others have come to me who have been having lessons for months and feel they are getting nowhere. Often ‘cheap’ lessons are a false economy and end up costing you more in the long run as instructors make up for the cheap rate by dragging out lessons and holding back your progress.

THE DSA RECOMMEND THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE 40 – 45 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DRIVING TUITION, AS WELL AS PRIVATE PRACTICE!

The national average according to the DSA is 46 hours of professional tuition and 22 hours of private practice. Not everyone needs this many lessons however. If you want to pass quickly you might want to consider Intensive Driving Lessons so you can have several lessons a week or even a day rather than one a week to get you up to test standard a lot quicker.

It certainly helps to re-enforce what you have learnt during lessons if you are able to go out and practice with a family member of friend. Remember, the person who accompanies you must be over 21, with at least three years driving experience, and you must of course be insured on the car you are practicing in and display legal sized L plates on the front and back of the vehicle. It is helpful to practice with someone who is calm and patient, and who won’t try to teach you their bad habits! There is a link at the bottom of the page where for £1.49 per day you can get insured on someone else’s car without it affecting the car owner’s insurance.

Attempting to take your test when you are not ready is a false economy; it will end up taking you longer to pass in the long run, as well as the added expense of booking tests and hiring the car to use on the test. It can also knock your confidence and of course could be dangerous!

If you don’t pass a test, try to keep up your lessons before taking another one so you stay at the required standard. A lack of continuity can cause you to become rusty.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix and learning to drive will take time and cost money. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. Your parents may have had 10 lessons when they passed but the test is a lot harder now. You can’t learn for a few quid and the odd lesson here and there. It is a huge skill to learn and other people’s lives depend on your driving skills! Some do pick things up a lot quicker than others though so book an initial lesson to begin with and we’ll go from there!