Q How many driving lessons will I need?

A There is no easy answer as everyone is different. The older a person is the more lessons they will usually need. On average most pupils taking a 1 hour lesson per week will take aprroximately one year to be prepared for a driving test.

At 20 years of age a person will need between 20 - 40 hours tuition. At 30 years of age a person will need between 30 - 60 hours tuition. However an individual could take less or substantially more lessons to be ready for a driving test.

Q How often should I go out on lessons?

A As much as possible! We recommend at least one 2 hour lesson per week. More if possible! The more you drive the more experience and confidence you will gain.

Q Are intensive courses any good?

A Yes. But don't expect to be definitely able to pass a driving test at the end of the course. Some people can but others will require further lessons. Remember 20 or 30 hours tuition in a 2 - 3 week period is the equivalent to 20 - 30 weeks tuition at 1 hour per week. An intensive course means you will gain experience and confidence in a shorter time scale and learn in a few weeks what would take months.

Q How can I learn to drive quickly and cheaply?

A Read and re-read the Highway Code and any other good driving books. If you can legally drive another car this will help supplement your professional driving lessons.

If you can't afford regular driving lessons don't waste your time and money taking a few lessons in the vain hope that you will pass a driving test.

If you can't afford to pay for lessons you can't afford to run a car. Even a cheap car will cost £50 or more per week for road tax, insurance, MOT, petrol and servicing.

Q How can I choose a good Driving School?

A Look at our Do's & Don'ts page and our warning page concerning Unqualified Instructors.

Q Why do Driving Schools prices vary?

A Some Schools use older cars rather than newer ones and diesel cars rather than petrol.

Some Instructors will give tuition with one or more extra students in the vehicle.

This means that students are being used as a Taxi service to collect or bring home other pupils.

Some Schools use trainee driving instructors and others will change your instructor without any notice.

Some Instructors quote a low price for tuition but give short lessons i.e. 40 minutes.

Some instructors hardly advertise and some only work part time as they have other jobs. This could mean that they are lacking in necessary experience to train pupils safely and correctly.

Some Instructors trade illegally (see our page on Unqualified Instructors).

Ask yourself why the lessons are cheaper and don't confuse cheapness with good value. Consider the quality of the tuition.

Q Can I take a driving/riding test without a Theory Test Certificate?

A A theory test certificate is now required by all persons wishing to take a practical driving test.

This means that someone wishing to take a car test and a motorcycle test would require a theory test for both vehicles (two separate theory test certificates).

Q Can a resident of the Republic of Ireland take a practical driving or riding test in Northern Ireland?

A No, only if they can prove residency in Northern Ireland and are able to produce a provisional UK / NI driver or rider license.