Get your driving licence by first getting practical driving lessons. Prepare the right way for your driving test. Follow our tips to get your driving licence first time.

The Provisional Driving Licence
If you need a D1 provisional driving licence, then you can obtain an application form for it from the post office,

• you will need to fill in your details, include 2 passport size photos and the licence fee,
• issue of the provisional driving licence usually takes 10 to 14 days,
• you may apply before your 17th birthday, but the licence will not be valid until you are 17.

Book Your Test
If you are ready to book your theory test and/or your practical driving test, then you can do so online at this government web site www.dsa.gov.uk

Be Prepared
The current NATIONAL pass rate is in the region of 40%. And for first time candidates, it's even lower!

These are the top ten reasons why people fail their test:

1. OBSERVATIONS AT JUNCTIONS - observations and judgment,
2. REVERSE PARKING - ineffective observations, lack of accuracy,
3. USE OF MIRRORS - not checking or acting on information,
4. REVERSING AROUND A CORNER - ineffective observations or lack of accuracy,
5. INCORRECT USE OF SIGNALS - not canceling or giving misleading signals,
6. MOVING AWAY SAFELY - ineffective observations,
7. INCORRECT POSITIONING ON THE ROAD - at roundabouts or bends,
8. LACK OF STEERING CONTROL - steering to early or leaving too late,
9. INCORRECT POSITIONING TO TURN RIGHT- at junctions or one way streets,
10. INAPPROPRIATE SPEED - traveling too slowly or being hesitant.

Therefore, take enough driving lessons and get lots of practice if you want to pass first time.

Tips for your Practical Driving Test
We would like to share with you some tips to make your practical driving test as painless as possible.

Mock Test
Make sure you are fully prepared for your Practical Driving Test. This can be done by doing a Mock Test. The mock test takes exactly the same format as the real thing and creates the feeling of being under exam conditions as your instructor could play the role of a DSA driving examiner. This is a great way to help you with any nerves you may have and to give you time to practice any weak points in your driving.

On The Day
Make sure you get a good night's sleep before the practical driving test and have all your documents ready. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, try not to be too nervous.

Documents to Take with You
You will need to take 3 documents with you:

• your signed provisional driving licence,
• your theory test pass certificate,
• an acceptable document which contains your photograph and signature which can be any of the following:
• your provisional licence (photo type),
• a passport,
• photo-bearing version of cheque or credit card,
• work-place identity card,
• student or trades union membership card,
• card used to buy railway tickets, or
• a school bus pass.

The Car Used for the Test
The car you use for the driving test must be fitted with the appropriate mirrors, headrests, L-plates, Tax, and must have the appropriate insurance.

The vehicle also needs to be in a clean and good working condition capable of normal performance for that type of vehicle.

The Test Itself
The Practical Driving Test lasts approximately 35 minutes and is conducted from your local driving test centre by a DSA examiner. When you go to take your Practical or Theory Test, you will need to bring your driving licence or some other acceptable proof of identity that bears your name, photograph and signature.

You will be required to sign your test form, after which you will walk outside with the driving examiner and be given an eye sight test (by reading a number plate). You will then walk to the car where you will be asked two of the 'TELL ME SHOW ME' questions. If you are not using your driving instructor's car for the test, you will then need to bring a valid insurance certificate for the car you will be using.

The driving examiner will assess your ability to drive competently and safely, and will test you on most of the topics you should have covered in your driving lessons.

You will be required to drive along one of the test routes which are designed to be as uniform as possible and to include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. You will fail the test if you commit a serious or a dangerous fault during the test drive. You can also fail if you commit more than 15 driving faults altogether.

'SHOW ME TELL ME' Questions
At the start of your practical test, the examiner will ask you one of each of the following:

• an explanation of how you would carry out certain safety checks,
   
• a demonstration on how you would carry out certain safety checks. You will need to open the bonnet of the vehicle for some of these checks.

To that end, you will be asked two questions from the following (the red indicates the question you will be asked, and the green indicates the 'answer' you should provide):

1. "Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil."

You will need to identify the dipstick / oil level indicator, and then describe how you would check the oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.

2. "Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level."

You will need to identify the high / low markings on the header tank (if you have one) or radiator filler cap, and then describe how you would top it up to the correct level.

3. "Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level."

You will need to identify the washer reservoir, and then explain how you would check the level.

4. "Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."

You will need to identify the brake fluid reservoir, and then explain how you would check the level against the high / low markings.

5. "Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car."

You will need to operate the brake pedal, and make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, to see if the brake lights are working . . . or ask someone to help you check.

6. "Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."

The brake pedal should not feel spongy or slack when you operate it. Also, test the brakes as you set off. The vehicle should not pull to one side.

7. "Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road."

Check that the tyres do not have cuts and bulges, that they have at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

8. "Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how the tyre pressures should be checked."

Use the manufacturers guide to get the tyre pressure recommendations, and then use a reliable pressure gauge to check and adjust the pressures of the tyres when they are cold. Remember to refit valve caps after checking the tyre pressures. And don't forget to check the spare tyre.

9. "Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."

Before starting a journey, one of two simple checks can be made. Applying and maintaining gentle pressure on the steering wheel while the engine is started should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively, turning the steering wheel just after starting the journey will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning. If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly.

10. "Show me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working."

You will need to operate switch (turn on the ignition first if necessary), then walk around the vehicle to check that all the headlights and tail lights are working.

11. "Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working."

You will need to apply the indicators or hazard warning switch, then walk around the vehicle to check that all indicators are working.

12. "Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only)."

You will need to check it by applying the horn control (turn on the ignition first if necessary).

13. "Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear."

You will need to apply the parking brake, and then check that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and that  it is not at the end of the working travel.

After The Test
Straight after the exam, the driving examiner will inform you whether you've passed or not.

If you failed, you will be told why. You will then have the option of reapplying straight away, but you will need to wait at least 10 working days before being able to retake the test.

During the 10 working days, we suggest that you book some more driving lessons to gain further driving experience focusing on any driving faults.

If, on the other hand, you pass your Practical Driving Test, then you will be given a form to fill in to obtain your Full Driving Licence . Note that if you had a photo licence issued after 1st March 2004 and the details on the licence are correct, then you can keep the pass certificate. You will then need to give you old licence to the examiner and a new full licence will be automatically sent out to you.

The 'Driving Lessons Booking Service' (DLBS) is of mutual benefit to both instructors and pupils alike. As listed in Shopping1.co.uk

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