Learning to Drive in Ashford
Before you can even consider learning to drive in the Ashford area, you must hold a provisional driving licence. You can apply for your provisional driving licence three months before your 16th birthday. However, you cannot start driving until your 17th birthday. The only exception to this rule is if you are in receipt of applied for disability benefit at the higher rate.
The Theory Test Part of the Driving Test
You can book your theory test a few months before your 17th birthday. However, you cannot actually take your theory test until you are actually 17 years old. There is no theory test centre in Ashford but a few are available less than 45-minute travel. The theory consists of two different tests which are taken at the same time. The first test is the multiple choice and the second hazard perception test. Both tests must be passed together. The pass mark for the multiple choice is 86%. Therefore you will need to answer 43 questions correctly out of the 50 asked. The pass mark for the hazard perception is 44 out of 75.
Theory Test before Practical Test
You will need to pass your theory test before you can apply for your practical driving test at Ashford, or anywhere else. However, you may start your driving lessons before even applying for your theory. Some learner drivers prefer to pass their theory test before even starting their lessons. However, you may feel that taking driving lessons will help you to understand the theory. The choice is up to the individual learner. Some driving schools may provide you with help with the theory test.
Learning to Drive with Parents/ Friends
Once you have your provisional driving licence, you may start learning to drive. Most people in Ashford will choose to learn to drive from either an independent driving instructor or a driving school. However, this is not compulsory. You may choose to learn to drive with your parents, a family member or even a friend.
By law, it is a criminal offence for anyone to take money in return for driving lessons unless they are either a qualified driving instructor or a licensed trainee instructor. You may report any person who charges you for driving lessons (that is not an instructor) to the DVSA.
You can practice with anyone provided they are at least 21 years old. They must also be qualified to drive the type of vehicle which you wish you learn to drive. For example, if you want to learn in a manual car, they must hold a manual licence. Furthermore, they must have held a British or an EU driving license for at least 3 years. You can be fined up to £1000 and get 6 points for learning to drive without the correct supervision. You will need to arrange your own car insurance if learning to drive in your own car. If you are learning to drive in someone else’s car, you need to make sure that they have insurance which covers you as a learner driver.
Learning to Drive with a Driving School in Ashford
Once you have a provisional driving licence in your hand, you will need to choose a driving instructor. You can learn to drive with the independent driving instructor in the Ashford area or alternatively you can choose a driving school. To help you decide, it is best to ask for a recommendation from friends and family members.
The benefits of learning to drive with a driving school in Ashford is that you will get extra support if something goes wrong. Also, payments made directly to the driving school is more secure than payments made to an individual instructor. If you do decide to pay the instructor directly, it is best practice to pay as you go for the lessons that you have taken.
Learning to Drive with an Independent Instructor
The independent driving instructor will not have the resources to advertise heavily for his or her services and must rely on recommendations. Therefore, an independent driving instructor is more likely to try harder to please you. Unfortunately, everything has advantages as well as disadvantages. You may have to stop your driving lessons if the independent instructor is unable to teach you because of illness, family problems or problems with his vehicle. A driving school is usually able to provide a backup driving instructor.
DTC Driving Test Services Ashford
DTC UK is able to provide qualified driving instructors for weekly driving lessons or intensive courses in the Ashford area. We have both automatic and manual dual control cars available at short notice.
