Learning to Drive in Southall
No more buses, a feeling of freedom and the open road, learning to drive in Southall can be exhilarating. Whilst the London underground has greatly improved in the past 20 years, unfortunately, Southall is not currently on the network.
The Theory Test Part of the Driving Test
The UK driving test is divided into two sections, the theory and the practical. You must pass your theory test before applying for your practical test. However, you can start your driving lessons with the theory. Many learner drivers in Southall prefer to pass their theory before starting lessons. However, you may feel that taking driving lessons at the same time will help you to understand the theory more. This is a matter of personal choice.
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 Southall. The Closet is in Uxbridge, Kingston and Slough. 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.
Learning to Drive with Parents/ Friends
You can practice driving with anyone provided they are at least 21 years old and held a British or an EU driving license for at least 3 years. The learner driver is also responsible for making sure that the car is taxed, MOTed and insured for the LEARNER to drive.
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.
Learning to Drive with a Driving Instructor
There are many driving schools and independent driving instructors who operate in the Southall area. By law, an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) must display a green badge in the front windscreen of their car. A pink badge displayed would indicate the instructor is a licenced trainee instructor. Be aware, if no badge is displayed, there is a high chance that they are not qualified.
When choosing an instructor in the Southall area, it is best to ask friend and relatives for a recommendation. Alternatively, you may find a qualified ADI on GOV.UK. When looking around for an instructor, you will also need to decide if you want to learn in an automatic car or a manual car. The majority of people learn to drive in a manual car. If you pass in a manual you can drive both legally. However, if you pass in an automatic car, you are restricted to automatics only.
Practical Driving Test at Southall
The Southall Practical Driving Test Centre has a huge waiting time for appointments. Generally speaking, this is not an issue as most driving instructors advise their pupils to apply for the practical test before they are actually ready.
If you need to be on the road urgently, DTC UK can arrange a driving test cancellation with 2 weeks in the Southall area. We can even arrange a few intensive driving lessons to increase your chances of success. If you have already found a last minute driving test, we can arrange a dual control hire car for your test.
