The Passing Place

How long will it take?

It depends very much on the individual. The national average is 45 hours' of professional tuition plus a further 22 hours' of practice with friends and relatives. Pupils who learn with "The Passing PLace" do better overall but there are no magic short cuts.

Learning to drive needs practice and practice takes time, so be realistic about timescales. If you want to pass your test quickly consider booking frequent, longer lessons.

How much will it cost?

See "Lesson Prices". You can reduce the cost of learning to drive by opting for longer lessons which are more efficient and cost less per hour, and by making block bookings which bring the price down even more.

Can you guarantee I will pass?

No, but we guarantee that you will receive the best tuition possible. If you drive the way we teach you, you will definitely pass.

Does The Passing PLace do intensive courses?

We do not recommend "crash" courses where you attempt to learn to drive in only one week.

Pupils who attempt those crash courses are usually disappointed. We do however offer semi-intensive courses to suit your individual needs, where we teach you to drive over a period of a few weeks by taking frequent, longer lessons.

Do I need to buy any books/ CDs/ DVDs?

We'll supply the tuition material you will need for the practical test. For the theory test we recommend that you buy (or borrow) a DVD containing the Highway Code, Theory Test questions and Hazard Perception practice clips.

I am very nervous about learning to drive. How can The Passing PLace help?

Your nerves will disappear in an instant when you begin your first lesson and realise how friendly and knowledgeable your instructor is. You will learn at a pace that is just right for you so that you will always feel comfortable and in control.

Can The Passing PLace help me to prepare for the theory test?

We certainly can. At no charge we can help you to practice your theory questions and hazard perception, using a laptop computer.

Will one of the big national driving schools teach me better than an independent driving school?

The quality of your tuition depends only on the quality of your instructor, not on the size of the organisation. (Would you have learned more at school if it had been bigger? Of course not).

You may be surprised to learn that some of the big national driving schools use novice instructors who are not fully qualified. Your instructor at The Passing PLace will be fully qualified and very experienced.

Why does The Passing PLace have a minimum lesson length of 90 minutes?

Longer lessons allow us to spend more time teaching and less time travelling between lessons, and so we can pass on the benefit of lower costs. They also allow our pupils to travel further afield and to gain experience of a wider range of driving conditions.

Can I learn in my own car?

You can learn in your own car once our instructor is satisfied that you are driving safely and no longer need the security of a car with dual controls.

Your car must display "L" plates, be insured for you to drive it, be taxed and roadworthy, and have an MOT certificate if it is older than 3 years.

Can my friends or parents teach me to drive?

Yes, but we don't recommend it in the early stages for two reasons. Firstly, without the benefit of dual controls the person teaching you will not be able to intervene if you make a serious mistake.

Secondly, your friend or relative is unlikely to drive and teach to the same high standard as your driving instructor. Note that anyone accompanying a learner driver must be at least 21 and must have held a full UK licence for 3 years. Also, the car must be suitable (see answer above).

Can I use my own car to take the driving test?

Almost all types of car are acceptable for the driving test if they are legal and roadworthy. A very small number are prohibited because of visibility or safety concerns. You will need to fit an extra rear view mirror for the examiner to use.

What if I have a disability?

Having a disability is rarely an obstacle to learning to drive. What matters is that you can observe and assess what is happening around you, react accordingly and control the car correctly. Cars can be adapted to suit a wide range of disabilities.

Do examiners have a quota of passes?

Absolutely not. If your driving is good enough to pass the test you will definitely pass it.

What do I need to learn to take the driving test?

When you enrol with The Passing PLace you will receive a pupil's handbook containing information about the skills we'll teach you and the standard you'll be expected to attain.

Our course of driving lessons will guide you through the process of learning those skills and reaching the standard to pass your driving test.

What is it like taking the practical test?

At the start of the test the examiner will give you a simple eyesight test and ask a couple of questions about car safety checks. You will then drive for about 35 minutes on a variety of roads - main roads, side streets, in the town centre, country lanes, dual carriageways and so on.

The examiner will keep a score as you drive around and will tell you whether you have passed or failed by adding up the score at the end.

What manoeuvres will I have to do in the test?

You will be asked to perform 2 manoeuvres selected from:
- Reverse left or right around a corner.
- Turn the vehicle around in the road.
- Park the vehicle parallel to the kerb or in a bay.

Can you give me some tips about how to pass the test?

We could fill a book with hints and tips, but actually all you need to know is that during your driving course with The Passing PLace you will be taught how to drive safely and how to pass your test.

We will teach you how to control the car properly under all conditions, how to understand roads and all the hazards you may encounter, how to interact with other road users and how to develop your judgment and anticipation.

What are the "Show me, tell me" questions?

The purpose of the "Show me, tell me" questions is to see if you know how to perform basic safety checks on the car. You will be asked 2 questions, for example about how to adjust tyre pressures and how to check that the power steering is working.

What insurance will I need for driving lessons?

If you are learning with The Passing PLace our insurance takes car of everything. If you are taking occasional lessons with a friend or relative it is essential that you confirm their car will be insured for you to drive it, which is unlikely to be the case unless they have specifically asked their insurance company to add you to the insurance policy.

Driving without insurance is a criminal offence so be certain to check that you are covered before driving someone else's car.

Is Pass Plus worth it?

Yes. If you take our Pass Plus course after you have passed your driving test you will gain valuable experience - especially motorway driving - which you could not have gained before the test. You will also benefit from lower insurance premiums, fewer accidents and learning how to drive economically.