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At Smartdrive, we believe in a structured training program designed to develop your driving skills faster. Each lesson will be clearly defined with a 'lesson objective' so that you know exactly which subject you will be covering throughout the lesson and what you are expected to achieve.
 
At the end of each lesson your progress and achievments will be recorded on your individual drivers record. This will allow us to record and continually monitor your progress throughout the training program and will enable your instructor to identify specific areas that require extra attention.

The Program Syllabus

Your training will be structured around you and will cater for your individual requirements. It will include all of the following subjects:
 

ON THE MOVE

·         The Cockpit Drill (DSSSM)

·         Mirrors vision & use

·         The Controls & Instruments

·         The Safety Checks

·         Starting & Stopping the Engine

·         Moving Off Safely (POM)

·         Stopping Safely (MSM)

·         Use of signals

·         Use of Gears

·         Moving Off Variations

·         Use of Speed

·         Anticipation & Planning

·         Safe Road Positioning

·         Road signs & Markings

BENDS & JUNCTIONS

·         Turning Left

·         Turning Right

·         Emerging at T Junctions

·         Junction Variations

·         Bends Left & Right

·         Crossroads

IN TOWN

·         Meeting Traffic

·         Traffic Calming

·         Roundabouts – Large, Mini & Multi Lane

·         Pedestrian Crossings & Traffic Lights

·         Bus & Cycle Lanes

·         One Way Streets

       IN THE COUNTRY     

·         Country Roads

·         Crossings

·         Overtaking Safely

MANOEUVERS

·         Straight Reversing

·         Turning the vehicle around

·         The Left Reverse

·         The Right Reverse (if required)

·         Parking in a bay

·         Parallel parking

·         The controlled stop

MULTI-LANE ROADS

·         Dual Carriageways

·         Urban Dual Carriageways

·         Motorways – Joining & Exiting

·         Tricky Situations

·         Accidents & Breakdowns

·         Emergency Vehicles & Road works

·         Adverse Weather

·         Night Driving

·         Vehicle Maintenance

DRIVING ROUTINES
 
The use of a structured routine is an essential part of learning any new skill. These Driving Routines will help you to remember what to do & in which order :
 

DSSSM (The Cockpit Drill)

·         D for Doors (Is the interior light off?) 

·         S for Seat (Ensure correct adjustment) 

·         S for Steering (Is your arm slightly bent?) 

·         S for Seatbelt (Make sure it's secured with NO twists) 

·         M for Mirrors (Have you got a clear view?)

 

POM (Moving Off Safely)

·         P for Prepare (Set Gas, Find Biting Point)

·         O for Observe (Look all around including Blindspots) 

·         M for Manoeuvre (Move off Safely - Signal if required)

 

MSM (Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre)

·         M for Mirrors (Check Centre/Left, Centre/Right)

·         S for Signal (Signal your intention in good time) 

·         M for Manoeuvre (Any change in Speed or Direction)

 

MSM - PSL (Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre - Position -Speed - Look)

·         M for Mirrors (Check Centre/Left, Centre/Right)

·         S for Signal (Signal your intention in good time) 

·         M for Manoeuvre (Any change in Speed or Direction)

·         P for Position (Position correctly in good time)

·         S for Speed (Reduce your speed progressively)

·         L for Look (Look, Assess,Decide & Act!)

 

How long will it take me?
 
The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) recommend that it will take on average 35 to 45 hours of professional instruction from an Approved Driving Instructor, combined with 16 hours of private practice to stand a reasonable chance of passing the Practical Driving Test (Car B). This equates to between approx 50 to 60 hours of driving experience.
 
These statistics are based on average figures compiled from research and the amount of tuition required will depend largely on individual capabilities.
 
To help you attain test standard in the shortest possible time you should always have regular lessons (at least one a week) and longer lessons will allow you more valuable time to learn and practice your new skills. Although longer lessons will be more expensive initially, do not let this put you off as it can eventually save you both time and money!
 
Lots of driving schools insist that you have a minimum of 2 hour lessons! Smartdrive believe in offering our customers exactly what they require and although we may offer you our advice, the decision will always be yours!
 
A structured training program such as the Smartdrive Training Program will help individuals develop the necessary skills faster by offering constant feedback and analysis of your progress.
 
Your instructor will advise you when he thinks you are ready for your practical driving test and can help you to book your test if required.
 
Tell me about the Theory Test?
 
To apply for the theory test for cars you will need to be at least 17 years old and in possession of a provisional license (CAR B).
 
The Theory Test is made up of two parts, both of which are carried out on a PC at your local theory test centre.

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for, ie a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.

For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.

At the end of the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.

You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions don't affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff.

Tell me about the Practical Test?

Once you have passed the theory test you can then book a practical test whenever you are ready. It is recommended that you book the practical test as soon as your instructor tells you as there may be long waiting times. The other benefit of booking early is that you will be able to plan your lessons well in advance and ensure that you are fully prepared to take the test.
 
You should not attempt the test until your Instructor tells you that you are ready. The Practical Test is very demanding and will last for approximately 40 minutes. At the start of the test you will be asked to produce your driving licence &/or photo identity to the Examiner. He will then carry out an eyesight check by asking you to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5metres (66 feet). If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses it is essential that you wear them at all times when you are driving.
 
At the start of the test the examiner will ask you two questions related to safety checks on the car (show me – tell me). Your instructor will ensure you know these well before your test. 
 
During the practical test you must demonstrate to the examiner that you can drive safely, put The Highway Code into practice and complete a set of exercises. Apart from general driving, it will include two set exercises (maneouvres) such as reversing round a corner, turning in the road, reverse parking – possibly in a car park. Emergency Stops are carried out at random. Where possible the test may include driving on higher speed dual and single carriageway roads.
 
The marking system is very simple and is based on Minor Faults, Serious Faults and Dangerous Faults. You will only be allowed to commit a maximum of 15 Minor Faults. A Serious or Dangerous Fault will result in a test failure. For more detailed information regarding the Practical Test you should refer to The Official Driving Test book which is available on-line (see our links).
 
How much will it cost me?
 
Theory Test - £30.00
 
Practical Driving Test  (Weekdays)   - £56.50
 
Practical Driving Test (weekends & weekday evenings) - £67.00
 
 

Take an on-line theory test

Book a theory test online

Book a practical test online

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Questions or comments? Click this link to e-mail us:

info@smartdrive.org.uk

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Smartdrive...the future of driver training on 07974 721692