Pass your Driving Test-First Time.

Most people want to learn to drive at some point in their life and will require help in passing their driving test. In the UK you can commence lessons at the age of seventeen. Mostly, but not all learners, are in the age group 17-25, this being the time when people want to be more mobile, with work, living away from home, at University or seeing a boyfriend/girlfriend. Some people choose to have a motor scooter or motorbike which still requires a theory and road test with an examiner.

Before commencing driving lessons you need to apply for a provisional licence, once received you can start booking driving lessons with preferably an Instructor from a recognised Driving School. Some people have friends and family willing to give them lessons but eventually even these adopt to having to go to a reputable Driving School, for a final appraisal and assessment before putting in for their test.

Once you become competent your driving instructor will ask you to put in for the theory test. The test is taken at a local centre which is governed by the Driving Standards Agency. Once at the centre and after presenting your provisional driving licence you will be asked to sit at a computer monitor in a booth. There are about 10-12 other monitors in the room, each one showing different questions to the prospective candidates.

The dsa theory test is mandatory and must be passed prior to taking the driving test.

The theory test is in two sections. In the first section you will be asked 50 questions on the Highway Code. These will be random and not the same questions as the person(s) sitting either side of you.

The second section is called the Hazard Perception Test. This part of the theory test requires you to view 14 hazard video clips on the computer screen of approximately one minute each. You are required to watch these clips as if you were the driver. There will be 15 hazards to find - at least one on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards. The hazard perception test clips will not contain any sound, but you are asked to wear headphones for the commentary. Each question is worth a maximum of 5 marks.

The clips feature various types of hazard, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score. The pass mark is 44 out of a possible 75.

Your driving test must be taken within 2 years of having passed the theory test, otherwise the theory test must be retaken. Do not be late you only have a 5 minute window to present yourself at the test centre, go the day before to see where it is if necessary.

Most people opt to have a driving lesson immediately before their driving test. This will get you familiar with the car and save you from having to adjust the driving seat and mirrors at the start of the test. It's a good idea to practice locking and unlocking the car doors as you will probably not have been asked to do this before. The driving test examiner will introduce himself to you at the test centre and want to see your provisional licence and theory test pass certificate.

Once you leave the test centre the examiner will ask you to read a number plate approximately 20-25 metres away i.e. before entering the test vehicle. You can wear spectacles for this providing you wear them normally for driving. Be prepared to ask the driving test examiner any questions about your test.

During the test the examiner will ask you to perform certain manoeuvres with the car, these will include, reversing into a side road, turning the car around to go back in the direction you came from, an emergency stop - the examiner will hit the dashboard with his clip board and ask you to stop the car as quickly as possible, in a safe manner and keeping control of the vehicle without stalling the car.

The examiner wiii be looking for you using your mirror and indicators at appropriate times. He will expect you to adhere to the road speed limit, give clear indication of your intentions to other road users, being polite and giving consideration to other road users and pedestrians.

You should drive smoothly and fluently using the gears, clutch and accelerator. Give plenty of time for children and elderly people on zebra and pelican crossings. On minor roads watch out for people opening their car doors and take care when approaching a parked bus. Always give cyclists and motorbikes extra space when overtaking them or when waiting for them to turn into a side road. During a test he will expect you to keep up with moving traffic at the correct speed. If you go on to a dual carriage way your examiner will watch to see if you increase your speed and maintain your braking distance.

A test would normally take 30/40 minutes to complete. Back at the test centre the examiner may ask you a few questions on the Highway Code. He will then inform you if you have passed or failed the test.

Do most people pass the driving test first time? You know in your own mind if your ready for the test. Be honest with yourself. If you make a mistake, don't worry, the examiner will want to see how you recover from it. Take a deep breadth, indicate, raise your clutch and pull away, almost nonchalantly. Say to yourself I know what went wrong and I'm good enough to put this right. Try not to make more than one mistake or that could tell the examiner your not ready.

When you have passed your examiner will ask you for your provisional licence, he will take it from you and send it off to DVLA directly for you.

If you fail, ask the examiner why, and listen to what he has to say as this may help you on a future test.