The DVSA suggests that you’ll need around 44 hrs + 20 hours private practice. However, on their website, it also states that there is no minimum number of lessons required to take the UK driving test.
As ever though there are a number of things that determine how quickly you’ll pass your driving test. It is however really really important to remember that not everyone’s the same and some people will be more suited to learning a practical skill than others.
A lot of people have the idea that getting to test standard should be done in the minimum number of hours. Being more concerned with passing in the minimum number of lessons will often work out more expensive. You’ll put too much pressure on yourself to succeed and often that will mean the anxiety you experience on your driving test will be too great to focus and achieve your goals. Driving lessons really should be seen as an investment in your skills and safety.
Taking enough lessons to increase the chances of passing your driving test the first time is important. No one can promise you’ll pass as there are too many factors but being under-prepared can knock you back a long way and cost you more in the long run.
Passing the driving test is the minimum standard so be prepared to take yourself to a higher level to help to improve the chances of you passing and be a safe and confident driver after the test.
It’s often best to not have a rigid number of hours in mind as this can cause unnecessary stress if you take longer than you initially thought.
As a professional driving school, we recommend taking 90-minute driving lessons in our experience it seems to be the most productive length. Not too long, not too short. I’d recommend talking to your driving instructor though and arranging sessions and lengths to suit your needs and budget within their availability.
Make sure your instructor is right for you. Mainly that their teaching style and personality fit your requirements.
To shorten the time it takes, it might be a good idea to get your theory test done and dusted as soon as possible.
You’ll have two years to pass the practical test once you’ve passed this so plenty of time. Passing this early allows you to make a better plan of how to pass and work towards a goal a little easier. It will also enable you to be up to date on the latest road rules and hazard spotting. Both of these will really help you get to grips with the practical skills of driving and help reduce the total number of lessons you’ll need.
How many hours of private practice do you need?
It’s recommended that you have around 22 hours of private practice with friends or family. It’s a good idea to expand your experiences with this driving not just to work and back or college and back. This will allow you to experience many different types of roads and situations that you might not get to experience in your driving lessons. Remember there are some rules which are explained on the Government’s Official Website.
At this point it’s probably important that we stress that your friend / Family Member shouldn’t take over as the instructor and tell you how to do it. Often they aren’t 100% correct and the bad advice, whilst well intended, will set you back and increase the number of driving lessons you’ll need to pass your driving test.
Other factors that can affect how many driving lessons you need to pass your driving test are:
How old you are
Sorry to say but the older you are the more hours you’re likely to need. There are a number of factors that cause this, the older you are the more difficult it becomes to learn a new skill but also you have life experience and have preconceived ideas regarding how things are done or not done. These can take time to undo. The younger you are the less of these pre programmed ideas you will have so there is less to “unlearn”
How often you have driving lessons
Taking more driving lessons more often or longer lessons will, in the short term, seem more expensive. It will in all likelihood reduce the total number of driving lessons you’ll need.
How much private practice you can do
As ever the more practice you get the better. Just make sure that you are practising perfection as 20 hours of poor standard practice could do more harm than good.
Your finances
The more you have available to spend the more often you can have lessons shortening the time and probably the number of lessons you’ll need.
Make sure you choose the correct instructor for the job
You need to be comfortable with your driving instructor. Remember it’s their job to make sure you feel comfortable and safe. You’re going to be spending a decent amount of time with them so making sure their attitude is a positive one. Make sure that your instructor is structuring your learning around short term goals which should be structured towards your long term goal of passing that driving test. If your instructor shouts or your doesn’t help you in the way you need you are allowed to change,
At Revolution Driving Lessons we have some of the best instructors in the area, coupled with our No Shouting Guarantee means the learning environment within your driving lessons in your driving instructors car is second to none.
Offering expert driving instructors and quality driving lessons in the Mansfield, Sutton in Ashfield, Kirkby in Ashfield, Hucknall, Alfreton and Matlock areas.