Provisional Licence
Before you can start driving lessons you need to have a provisional licence. You can apply for a provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. You cannot start driving until you are 17 though. (You can start driving at 16 if you are in receipt of or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).) You must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away.
Click here to follow the link to apply for your provisional licence.
Theory Test
You can start driving lessons before you take your theory test, but you must pass your theory test before you can take your practical driving test.
Follow this link to book your theory test.
https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test
The nearest theory test centre is in Workington at the following address.
17 Murray Road
Workington
Cumbria
CA14 2AD
The theory test paper has 50 questions. They are multiple choice questions and you must get at least 43 questions right. You can practice your theory test on the following websites.
https://www.gov.uk/take-practice-theory-test
https://www.theory-test-online.co.uk/free-theory-test.htm
Or you can buy the following test kit on amazon.
After the multiple choice questions you will need to do a hazard perception test. You will be shown 14 clips and you have to identify the hazard in each clip. You will need to practice this before taking your test.
Practical Driving
Getting Started
Cockpit Drill
D-S-S-S-M
Remember the above acronym every time you get in the car
D is for Doors (are they all closed?)
S is for seat (Is it in the correct position, can you reach the pedals easily and comfortably?)
S is for Steering Wheel (Arm reach correct and head restraint in correct position)
S is for Seatbelt (make sure there are no twists in the belt and that it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure 14 and under are wearing seatbelts)
M is for Mirrors (Should be adjusted from driving position. Central mirror should see top of head restraints in back seat and full road view. Flat glass gives a true picture. Side mirrors have convex glass, so you can get a wider picture but objects appear to be further away than they really are. You should see a third of the car and some, sky and ground.)
Stopping distances
You can download a handy chart which will help you understand stopping distances.
Chart showing typical stopping distances
LLL Driving School helping you become the best driver you can be.
Know Your Road Signs
Traffic signs play a vital role in directing, informing and controlling road users’ behaviour in an effort to make the roads as safe as possible for everyone. This makes a knowledge of traffic signs essential. Not just for new drivers or riders needing to pass their theory test, but for all road users, including experienced professional drivers.
Here is a handy document to help you to learn the signs… download it now.
New Show Me Tell Me Questions
The ‘Show me, Tell me’ questions will change slightly in the new Learner Test from 4th December 2017. One tell me question will be asked before the start of the driving test and one show me question will be asked whilst driving during the test. The questions are listed below.
TELL ME QUESTIONS
Asked at the start of the test before you start driving
- Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
- Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
- Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
- Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
- Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
- Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
- Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
- Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
- Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained 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 moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
- Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
- Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
- Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
- Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
- Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
SHOW ME QUESTIONS
You demonstrate this safety task whilst driving
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
- When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?