This programme of practical driver training has been carefully put together to ensure that all students develop all the necessary skills for a lifetime of safe driving, not just to pass the driving test.  Most students will cover each of these lessons in sequence;  each lesson building on the skills of the previous one and preparing the student for the next step.  Once you are competent in each of the below skills, you should be ready to take your test.  However if you do not feel ready, don't worry, you can book additional lessons to re-cap skills where necessary.

Moving Off and Stopping

During this driving lesson you will learn how to safely prepare the car using the Cockpit Drill, basic vehicle hand and foot controls and how to safely move the car away and pull up again at the side of the road.

Co-ordination

In this driving lesson you will be taught how to move away safely uphill, downhill and from an angle.  You will practice basic steering to negotiate stationary vehicles and what to do when meeting other vehicles.  You will also learn how to correctly use ancillary controls within the car.

The Emerency Stop

An essential skill to learn at this early stage in learning to drive.  During this driving lesson you will learn about stopping distances and will simulate stopping in an emergency situation with full steering and braking control.  Try the stopping distances game below.

http://www.safedrivingforlife.info/stopping-distances-game

Junctions (left and right turns)

During this lesson you will learn how to safely turn into junctions to the left or right; including what to do when crossing the path of oncoming traffic.

Junctions (emerging)

Here you will practice emerging from open and closed T-Junctions into major roads.  You will understand and be able to act upon Give Way and Stop signs.

Crossroads

In this lesson you will look at crossroads and other unusual junctions.  You will learn how to recognise crossroads, how to act upon priorities, deal with restricted views such as acute angles and steep gradients.  You will know when to use near-side to near-side or off-side to off-side.

Roundabouts

By this stage in your training you will now be starting to drive on busier roads.  You will learn how to recognise, enter and leave small and larger, complex roundabouts safely exercising good lane discipline.

Pedestrian Crossings & Traffic Signals

During this lesson you will learn to recognise different types of crossings (Zebra, Pelican, Puffin, Toucan and Equestrian Crossings).  You will learn about road markings and light sequences and how to act upon pedestrians using the crossing.  You will also learn all the important hand signals.

Hazard Perception

Here you will learn about driving pro-activley and looking well ahead to deal with the ever changing road situation.  You will be able to read and act safely upon clues given by pedestrians and other road users.  By this point in your training you should be prepared to sit your Theory and Hazard Perception test.  Try your knowledge of road signs below.

http://www.safedrivingforlife.info/road-signs-quiz

Dual Carriageways

In this lesson you will be practicing joining and leaving Dual Carriageways using Slip Roads and other safe methods.  You will be learning about driving at varying speeds, changing lanes safely and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead.

Town/City Centre Driving

Driving in town or city centres can be much more confusing than rural areas with its many one-way systems, bus lanes, multiple-lane roads and traffic queues.  This lesson will help you plan to deal with these additional hazards safely.

Making Progress

Now that you have developed your planning and awareness skills in a range of traffic situations you should be ready to deal with more difficult manoeuvres including overtaking moving vehicles and negotiating bends safely at speed.  This lesson will help develop your technique in handling your vehicle safely and with maximum progress in mind.

Independent Driving

Added to the driving test in October 2010, the idea of independent driving is to prepare you for life on the road beyond your driving test.  You will learn to plan routes, follow multiple directions and make individual decisions on when to apply your hazard drill and take actions.  In December 2017, this section of the driving test was increased from 10 to 20 minutes and you will now learn how to drive using a Sat-Nav

Manouevres

There are four manoevres of which you will be asked to perform one, as part of your driving test.  The purpose of these manouevres are to assess your all-round observation, control and accuracy skills.  You will learn all four of these manouevres as part of your driver training and these include:

• Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road
• Reverse (parallel) park
• Bay Parking (either reverse in or drive in and reverse out of)

Mock driving test

During this lesson you will learn what to expect on the day of your practical driving test.  You will learn all the "show me - tell me" topics and will undertake a simulated driving test.  This will help identify any aspects of your driving which still need further development and give you the opportunity to practice in plenty of time for that all important date.  Many students value this opportunity to experience what the practical test is like and get over big day nerves.

The driving test

So you have done all the necessary preparation and developed all the skills you need to be a safe, responsible and competent driver for life.  By this point you should feel reasonably comfortable in demonstrating your abilities to the Driving Standards Agency examiner.  Remember, you would not have got to this stage if you hadn't demonstrated the required skills to your instructor, so, YOU CAN DO IT.

Most students usually require an hour's lesson prior to their test start time to "warm up".  The practical test takes about 40 minutes, give or take a few minutes for traffic or other delays.