Driving Test help needed

The_Dark_Side · 2 Dec 2006 at 09:55

help needed RE learning to drive.
a friend of mine is about to learn to drive and questions gave been asked that I simply cannot answer, so given the unbelievable knowledge base this place sports I'm asking you guys to clear things up for me.
1.as far as I know when you receive your provisional you start and complete your lessons, THEN do the theory followed by the practical.
my friend is under the impression that you must pass the theory before commencing your lessons.
2.what does the theory involve?
is it just a series of multiple choice questions or, as I've thought was the case, is there some form of simulation involving hazard perception?

any extra info would be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance.

moss · 2 Dec 2006 at 10:00

You can do your theory at any point during your lessons, finally followed by the practical.
The theory is a 35 multiple choice questions, you need to get 30 correct to pass, they are VERY easy bar maybe some road signs/markings/stopping distance questions if you have never had any interest in drivng/motoring in the past.
The hazard perception test is a few videos, where you click the screen when you see a potential hazard, just dont click rhythmically, randomly or too much and that is also very easy.

ZG002 · 2 Dec 2006 at 11:18

all above is correct.. id get them to take a few lessons and get used to hazards on the road etc. Then get revising lots for the theory and book it quite early on. sssoo many people i know including myself.
Who have had more lessons than needed as was waiting on passing the theory test

The_Dark_Side · 2 Dec 2006 at 11:22

ZG002 said:
all above is correct.. id get them to take a few lessons and get used to hazards on the road etc. Then get revising lots for the theory and book it quite early on. sssoo many people i know including myself.
Who have had more lessons than needed as was waiting on passing the theory test

what's the typical waiting time for theory/practical tests?
i know it's a bit of an unanswerable question but an idea would be helpful.

moss · 2 Dec 2006 at 11:29

The_Dark_Side said:
what's the typical waiting time for theory/practical tests?

It obviously varies centre to centre, iirc theres a page on the net telling you somewhere, i just cant remember where.

ZG002 · 2 Dec 2006 at 11:39

The_Dark_Side said:
what's the typical waiting time for theory/practical tests?
i know it's a bit of an unanswerable question but an idea would be helpful.

I had to wait about 2 weeks for mine. which aint that bad really.

https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/online_booking_1.asp

You can put them through the system but not confirm i belive and get a good idea of waiting times

Practical tests id give a good month normally.. But that just gives them a lot of time to prepare properly.

Anything else?

BennyC · 2 Dec 2006 at 13:54

i'd advise getting one of those practise cd's for theory and hazard perception and do loads and loads of practise onces, then u'l pritty much have learnt the questions off by heart so should pass the questions easy.

the hazard perception i found a bit wierd to get to grips with as my cd was bad quality, but the test center one is a lot better and obviousley has different clips.

i took my theory 3 days after i turned 17 and had a lesson on my birthday

get your theory done asap if i were you as waiting lists for watford were long, as were practical test lists. get it done and then u dont have to worry about waiting for a slot to do it when all u want to do is take your practical. You cant book your practical without the pass code from your theory.

West · 2 Dec 2006 at 15:27

All waiting times vary by area... I have 3 test centres locally... one is 8 weeks, the other is 6 and the other is 2...

Its best to check using the DVLAs website, it has a list of all DTCs around the country and their typical waiting times...