Learning to drive

Are you looking for driving lessons?  Then you have come to the right place.  At All Purple School of Motoring we have been offering private driving lessons for more than eight years.  We are a driving school that believes in outstanding performance delivered with pride and passion, giving you the positive results that you want at a price you can afford.

People are passing their driving test with driving lessons from APSOM.

Before taking driving lessons and your driving test you must have your provisional licence.  Your local post office will have the application form for a provisional driving licence, or you can apply on-line at www.direct.gov/motoring.

We have specialised knowledge of how to help all ages and abilities to pass the driving test, to develop advanced driving skills and to become safe drivers for life.  We have detailed experience of all the local driving test centres and routes and can inform you about the nearest driving test centre to you.  We will help you organise your driving lessons at your convenience.

When you are ready to begin your driving lessons or if you just wish to ask us a driving related question please contact us today. APSOM driving school has been helping clients with their driver development many years with positive results, just check out our client testimonials page for fantastic feedback about our level of service and our style of teaching.

Even if you have passed your driving test and are fully qualified we can help you develop your skills further with Pass Plus training.  If you are looking for refresher lessons, confidence building or help with parking we are ready to offer help and advice.  Please remember there is so much more to safe and responsible driving than driving lessons and a test.

APSOM driving school also provides motorway driving lessons which can be incorporated into the Pass Plus scheme.  Contact us to talk through the possible benefits of completing the Pass Plus course and the possible insurance discounts available.

All of our instructors are approved driving instructors and registered. Qualifications are available on meeting your driving instructor for the first time.

The Basics

First things first, go to the following link www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest for all of your application forms and answers to most questions, download the theory application form, or apply on line BUT let your instructor guide you and advise you on your readiness also when, where and how to book your Theory and Hazard Perception and your Driving Test.

From this site you can also download your application for a provisional driving licence, please do so if you don’t have one. Although you can start studying for the Theory and Hazard Perception Test before you have your provisional driving licence you cannot take your Theory and Hazard Perception Test without your provisional driving licence.

To start your driving lessons you must understand what to do, how to do it and why it is important. You should try to embrace the principle of, “safe driving for life”. There are many options available to you and some of them are free!

Use your favourite search engine and type in Hazard Perception test you will be overloaded!! Try experimenting with some of the free options for Theory training and Hazard Perception training that you find.

The Theory and Hazard Perception Test

Remember knowledge is power and you MUST pass your Theory and Hazard Perception Test BEFORE you can book the Driving Test.

The Theory and Hazard Perception Test assesses your driver theory knowledge and your ability to identify developing hazards and how you react.

The Theory Test is a multiple choice test where you will be asked 50 questions and you need to score a minimum of 43 to pass. At the end of your Theory Test you will need to pass your Hazard Perception Test with a minimum of 44 out of 75. There are 14 Hazard Perception video clips but remember there are 15 developing hazards so you must pay attention. You should allow approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for your Theory and Hazard Perception Test.

When you are ready to begin studying for The Theory and Hazard Perception Test take a look at some of the reference books listed below or give us a call and let us advise you.

When booking your Theory and Hazard Perception Test you will be asked for which test centre you would like to book. We can help you to find your most convenient test centre.

You will get the result of your Theory and Hazard Perception Test at the end of the exam. You have unlimited tries at the Theory and Hazard Perception Test but let us advise you on test readiness and help to keep your costs down.

The Driving Test

Most people take on average 40 hours of driving lessons and approximately 20 further hours of private practice before they take their driving test. You may require more or less! Contact us today for a no obligation driving assessment or even just a free informal discussion about your test.

NB: If you opt for private practice the accompanying driver must be over 21 and held a driving licence for cars for a minimum of 3 years, the vehicle must also be insured.

On your first driving lesson you must bring both parts of your provisional driving licence unless it is the old style licence where you must also bring photographic proof of your identity. You will be asked to do the same when you take your Theory and Hazard Perception Test and your Driving Test. You should ensure that if you need glasses or contact lenses to correct your sight you must bring these with you as you will be required to read a number plate at approximately 20 metres. If you cannot read the number plate on the first go just like your test, you will be given a second try and if you still cannot read it we will measure approximately 20 metres for you and give you a final try. If you cannot read the number plate you will need to have your eyes retested(www.aview.co.uk) before starting your driving lessons.

We will advise you on test readiness and when to book your Driving Test. On the day of your Driving Test you are advised to book a 1 hour lesson before the Driving Test. You will be charged a second hour for the actual Driving Test and you will be charged for a proportion of the third hour which will be spent de-briefing and getting home.

Your Driving Test will last approximately 35 – 45 minutes and you will be required to do the following:-

Show you have passed The Theory and Hazard Perception Test – so remember to bring your pass certificate.

Fulfil the eyesight requirement – remember you only have three chances so don’t forget your glasses.

You need to answer 2 Show and Tell questions one of each and one or two incorrect answers will be recorded as a driving error on your driving test report form.

Remember you will pass the Driving Test if you complete the drive with 15 driving errors or less. No serious or dangerous marks are allowed.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions.
• know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving.
• you will be examined on your general driving.
• you will also be examined on two reversing manoeuvres.
• you may also be examined on performing an emergency stop

The driving test now includes 10 minutes of independent driving. The examiner will be assessing the decisions and timing of your actions. You will only need to demonstrate one Manoeuvre and possibly the Emergency Stop, (once in every three tests). Contact us for further details about this new part of the Driving Test.

Once you have passed your test you can drive immediately. You will need to apply to the DVLA for your full Driving Licence (the application form will be given to you when you pass your test). You will also have to make sure you are insured to drive the vehicle.

You may find that your insurance premium is high as you are a new driver. Why not undergo Pass Plus training? We can guide you through this training and your premium may be lowered.

Reference Materials

The Official DSA Guide to Hazard Perception DVD

The Official Highway Code

Know Your Traffic Signs

If you look around you can find these reference materials as part of a cheaper deal and there are many more options out there. Remember if it works for you then its correct! Contact us today and let us advise you.