TIM HALL DRIVING SCHOOL - Helping You Pass Your Test
The Theory Test
Whilst I do not offer formal teaching for your Theory Test, I am happy to help with specific questions during lessons, and indeed, will ask relevant Theory questions at suitable times during your lessons.
Please follow this link for some publications to help you with your Theory studies.
I encourage all pupils to take Theory Test as soon as they are able, as you cannot book a Practical Test until you have passed your Theory Test.
Such is the demand for Practical Driving Tests, that there is typically a 6-8 week wait for appointments in Cardiff, so the sooner you pass your Theory Test, the sooner we can think about when to aim for you to take your Practical Test.
Full details of the Theory Test are available here.
Preparation for the Practical Test
All aspects of the Practical Driving Test are covered thoroughly, including Show Me, Tell Me and Independent Driving.
I routinely carry out a Mock Test shortly before your actual Test, using an established Test route. Just about everyone finds this helps prepare them for the actual Test.
The Practical Driving Test
You will take your Driving Test in the car that you have been learning in. I’ve had several pupils over the year who thought that they would be given a Test car to drive, and were worried that it would be different to what they were used to driving. Yes, it would, and it would also add hugely to the already high costs of the Driving Test.
You will need to bring your provisional licence. Ideally also bring your letter of confirmation of Test appointment (or email equivalent), though it is very rare that you will need to show this.
On the day of your Test, I will normally pick you up an hour before your Test. You will then drive to near the Test Centre in Llanishen to practice manoeuvres etc. We will arrive at the Test Centre ten minutes or so before your Test time, so that you have a few minutes to relax and focus on the Test.
The examiner will emerge from the Test Centre office and call your name out. They will introduce themselves, check both parts of your licence, ask you if you want your instructor to accompany you on the Test, and then take you outside to the car (having also checked that you have the car keys!).
On the way to the car you will be asked to read a car registration plate at a standard distance, and assuming that is satisfactory (it will be, as we will check it before you start lessons, and again nearer your Test) you will then be asked two basic car maintenance questions (“Show Me, Tell Me”, which I will give you a handout on, and which we will have gone over during your lessons).
In the car, the examiner will give you some general instructions and guidance, and then you will set off.
You will drive for approximately 40 minutes (depending on exact route, how busy it is and how briskly you drive etc).
You will be asked to do one manoeuvre of the three that you will have been practising and possibly an emergency (or “controlled”) stop, again you will have practised this.
When you get back to the Test Centre, you will be told the result of your Test, usually within a few seconds of the end of it.
To have passed, you must have made 15 or fewer minor or driver errors, and no serious or dangerous ones. We will discuss what those categories mean as you prepare for your Test.
Once you have been debriefed, and paperwork is completed, I will drive you back home or elsewhere in Cardiff, as arranged.
Full details of the Practical Test are here.
After the Test
When you have passed, I am able the offer Pass Plus (see more detail here) or individually tailored courses for you to practice specific types of driving e.g motorways.
