Intensive Driving Courses, Pass Plus, Surrey, South West London

The Theory Test

The theory test can be taken at any time, as long as you have your provisional license. You DO NOT need to have started driving before you take it, but it can help if you do.

The Highway Code is the best place to start.

There are two parts to the test, multiple choice questions and the other is a hazard perception video test. You need to pass both tests at the same time otherwise you will be required to retake both.

The multiple choice section consists of 50 questions on a range of topics, including road signs, driving protocol and car maintenance. You need to score 43 out of 50 to pass this section.

The hazard perception section involves watching 14 video clips, each of which contains at least 1 hazard (one clip will contain 2 hazards). You will need to identify the hazards by clicking the mouse button as the hazard is developing. For each hazard that you identify, you will be awarded between 0 and 5 points depending on how quickly you respond to the hazard. You need 44/75 to pass this section.

The Practical Test

The test lasts approximately 40-45 minutes. During this time you will be expected to show that you can calmly control a car, make sufficient use of road space, carefully negotiate traffic and road patterns, and perform 1 manoeuvre efficiently and safely. In addition to this 1 in 3 candidates will be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

At the start of the test, you will be expected to read a number plate from a distance of approximately 20 metres. Then the examiner will ask you 2 ’show me/tell me questions. For example ’show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers’ or ‘tell me how you would check the tyre pressures’.

The rest of the test is straight  forward - you will be directed to drive around the local area and the examiner will watch your driving. From the 4th October 2010 a new element will be introduced into the test known as the independant driving section which will last for approximately ten minites You will have to do 1 manoeuvre. You can view the independant driving section on the dsa you tube video.

You are allowed 15 minor faults. If you exceed this, then you will fail. An example of a minor fault might be not checking your mirrors properly before signalling. You are not allowed any serious or dangerous faults. A serious fault means you will fail. An example of a serious fault is failing to stop at a red traffic light. Continuously repeating the same minor fault can become a serious fault.

Pass Plus

We are pleased to offer the Pass Plus program in the Sutton, Morden and Wimbledon areas which can be taken any time after you have passed your practical driving  test. The main aims of pass plus are:

• To help you gain experience
• To build on your existing skills and knowledge
• To boost your confidence
• To lower your insurance premiums (by doing Pass Plus you are showing insurance companies that you have more experience in more situations; therefore you are much less likely to have an accident).

There are 6 modules to Pass Plus, all of which need to be covered in order to complete the course. They are:

• Town driving
• Out-of-town driving
• All weather driving
• Night driving
• Dual carriageways
• Motorways

Don’t worry there is no test involved in the Pass Plus program and assessment is made by our own driving instructors.

Other Courses

Motorway and Country Lanes
These lessons are designed specifically for full licence holders who find it a daunting task to drive on busy motorways or small country lanes. We will build on your existing knowledge, which will boost your confidence when driving in these situations.

Refresher Courses
As above, these lessons are designed specifically for existing full licence holders who may have spent many years abroad and have recently returned to this country, or for someone who for many reasons has had long periods of non driving or may be starting a new job that involves driving professionally. Equally, you may just wish to reinforce your general driving skills.

Automatic Licence Holders
Specifically designed for full Automatic Car Licence holders who now wish to upgrade their licence to a Manual Car Licence, which may be because your job requires you to have a Full Manual Licence or you just wish to be able to drive a manual car. It will mean you are no longer restricted to only driving automatic cars. (You will be required to take and pass a cat B practical driving test).

Intensive Driving Courses

‘Intensive Driving Courses’ can mean different things to different people. When it comes to intensive driving courses, the level of intensity varies from person to person and there is no definitive intensive driving course.

Many people take their lessons on a 1 or 2 hour-a-week basis however this can be compressed into a shorter space of time so that it becomes more intensive. For instance, instead of having 2 hours per week (taking 20-25 weeks altogether) you could have 4 hours a week so that it only takes 10 to 12 weeks. This may be good for those learning during summer holidays or in time to start a new job.

The shortest time you can take an intensive driving course is 1 week. This would be dependent on you already having passed your theory test and you would have to know the basics of driving as well. Your practical test would also have to be booked for the end of the week.

Things to consider
Intensive driving courses are hard work. It will involve you spending a long number of hours driving depending on how intense your course is and manoeuvres may have to be repeated several times over. However hard work usually pays off and you may see improvements more quickly, so your confidence will be boosted.

Your practical test will need to be booked in advance, so that your instructor can work out a schedule for your intensive driving course that fits in and leads up neatly to the test day.