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Learner Drivers

Learning to drive these days can seem as daunting as getting the Hadron Collider to work, but don’t worry, it’s a process you can navigate quite happily.

If you want to learn to drive a car in the U.K., you have a couple of legal obligations to fulfil. Firstly, you need a valid, provisional driving licence. Do it online, or get the form from the post office. Secondly, it’s up to you to make sure that any car you practice in, or use to take your test, must be roadworthy, and fully taxed and insured. If you don’t ensure those things are right, you’re not going to get off to a great start with the authorities.

As to the test, you can take it from the age of 17 and it comes in two parts: theory and practical.

The theory has to be passed before you’re allowed a crack behind the wheel. Theory consists of two parts: multiple choice and a hazard perception test. You have to pass both bits at the same time; fail one part and you’ll have to sit both again. Both are taken at special centres and involve sitting down at a computer, and cost £30.

In the multiple choice part, you’ll get asked in 57 minutes a total of 50 questions, of which you must get at least 43 right to pass.

Hazard perception involves 14 video clips and judges how you respond to certain driving situations; get at least 44 of the questions right out of 75, and you’ve passed.

Okay, once you’ve proved to be theoretically competent, you’ll be allowed to take the practical test. It starts with an eyesight check and then involves around 40 minutes of driving, in which the examiner will judge your standard of safe driving while performing certain manoeuvres, including reversing around a corner. If the examiner judges that you make more than 15 ‘mistakes’, then you will not pass. Keep it to 15 and below, then the road is yours. Mind you, make what the examiner feels is a horrendous mistake, and its all over: failed. Whatever the outcome, this part will cost you £56.50 for a weekday test and £67.00 for an evening, or weekend test.

Right, before you get to that stage, there are basically three ways to get yourself ready to take your test.

Firstly, and this is recommended by Government agencies, use a recognised instructor, who is specially trained to help you learn the accepted driving techniques. You can also rest assured they will use a fully roadworthy and insured vehicle.

Make sure they are registered with the Driving Standards Agency. Once you’ve checked that, there is no official list to consult as to who’s the best to use, you have to behave like the good old consumer and pick one that suits you. Ask around for a recommendation, or select one from the internet, or local advertisements and create a shortlist. Think, can you be taught by this person and does their car suit you?

Secondly, if you use a relatives, or a friends car, then make sure their policy covers a provisional licence holder as an additional driver. Ensure that they check on their policy, or speak to their insurance company.

Thirdly, if you use your own car, then insurance is going to be pricy. People who are learning, or inexperienced, are statistically more likely to have a crash than other groups of drivers. So, unfortunately, you’ll have to put a few years under your belt before you get the better premiums. But, if you start off on your own car, then at least you’ll have the comforting thought you can build up a no-claims policy, providing you stay out of trouble of course.

You can buy three types of cover for your car: comprehensive is the all singing, all dancing policy, and the most expensive; third party fire and theft covers the other person, but also covers your car against fire and theft; and, third party, just covers the other person and is the cheapest available. Within each category there are different options and excesses, so it pays to look around. Also, have a think about the sort of car you want. A performance car would be a dream of course, but prohibitively costly if you’re a learner driver. A small-engined, second-hand hatchback might be the ideal learners car and very acceptable to your insurers.

So, learner drivers, get started on the road to a successful driving career.

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