Freqently Asked Questions
How old do you need to be to start driving lessons?
You can only start learning to drive a car on public roads from the age of 17 if you hold a provisional driving licence. You can apply for your provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old.
You need to apply for your provisional licence well in advance of wanting to start lessons. Ideally a couple of months before as sometimes there are delays. You may need longer if you have specific medical condition to declare.
The cost of your first provisional licence as at 1st June 2021 is £34 on line or £43 by post – apply on line now
What is your availability like / when can I start my driving lessons
My availability varies and is usually around 4-6 weeks. Due to the pandemic and backlog of practical tests my current availability is more likely to be 7-8 weeks delay. All lessons are secured via initial deposit. There is currently a waiting list and people will need to book into a slot and pay a deposit as outlined on the prices page. It is best to contact me direct for the latest upto date availability.
How many driving lessons will I need?
A difficult question to answer. Every single person is going to be different as people have different skill sets. People develop at different rates. Some people will always pick things up quicker than others but this does not mean they are a better driver.
The DVSA states that on average a pupil will need approximately 45 hours of tuition to reach the required standard to pass the driving test and this means that they will have been able to deal with as many different driving road situations as possible and are more likely to pass their test first time. If you are able to get private practice (DVSA states an average of 22 hours) you may not need 45 hours. If you are not likely to get any private practice then you may need more.
At GMG Driver Training the emphasis is on safe driving for life. The amount of driving lessons needed for each pupil depends on age, frequency of practice and level of confidence.
Remember that you want to be a safe driver, learn all of the skills properly and be a good driver as this is a skill for life!
If you click on the dropdown table you can see averages per age group.
What are the rules about supervising a learner driver?
In order to supervise a learner driver you must:
- Be at a least 21 years old
- Have held a full EC licence for the appropriate category of vehicle for at least 3 years
Failure to comply with these requirements could mean a maximum fine of £1000, discretionary disqualification or 3-6 penalty points (the learner driver could also face the same penalties)
Red L-plates must be affixed to the front and rear of the car and must be clearly visible. You must also have the necessary insurance.
When should I take my theory test?
You can prepare for your theory test before you are 17 years old but can only take the test when you are at 17 years old. You must also have applied and received your provisional driving licence from the DVLA. You will need to bring your provisional driving licence with you to the theory test centre on the day. The theory test must be taken before you can take your practical test. The cost of theory test as at 1st June 2021 is £23 (evenings and weekends/bank holidays) – book online now.
Can I have driving lessons before I pass my theory test?
Yes, you can take practical driving lessons while preparing for your theory test. In fact, taking driving lessons whilst studying for your theory test is beneficial to your learning process.
Do I have to have driving lessons?
There are no legal requirements to take driving lessons prior to sitting a driving test to gain a full licence. In practice, however, to meet the high standard required to pass a driving test it is highly recommended that you take professional tuition from a DVSA qualified driving instructor. The National standard for driving cars and light vans (catergory B) outlines what is required to do to pass the driving test.
What car will I be learning in?
GMG Driver Training provides a 1.5 ltr diesel manual A Class Mercedes. This is an average size hatchback car.
At present GMG Driver Training only covers manual driving lessons.
Generally most people drive manual cars. This may change in the future if we are to move to more electric cars which in turn will help the environment and most if not all electric cars are automatic.
You may pass your driving test in an automatic vehicle in less time than in a vehicle with manual transmission. This is primarily due to the fact that there is no clutch control required in an automatic car and also beneficial if you have mobility issues. An automatic car can be a lot easier and more comfortable to drive.
Please note that if you pass your test in an automatic car you will be restricted to driving automatic vehicles only. You will have to upgrade your licence to driving a manual vehicle at a later stage in the future.
How many lessons a week should I take?
This is purely down to individual choice and financial circumstances. It is best to ensure continuity of lessons e.g. 2 hours per week. Most commonly lessons are taken as 1.5 hour.
Ongoing progress will be regularly discussed with your driving instructor.
Eyesight requirement
You will need to read a number plate at a distance of 20.5 metres. If you cannot read at the required distance you cannot commence driving lessons or take a driving test until able to do so. Your eyesight will be checked on your first lesson and again towards taking your practical test. It is also your responsibility to keep up with regular eye checks if you wear glasses, contact lenses or notice anything different about your eyesight.
What’s is your pass rate?
My average pass rate over the last three years (as at June 2021) is around 87%. The national average pass rate for England currently stands around 47%.
I am happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Please contact me on 07803 924561 or use the contact form.