Frequently asked questions

We cover a selection of Norfolk postcodes operating around the test centres in Norwich and Lowestoft.

Norwich
NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8

Yare Valley
NR13, NR14

East Coast
NR29, NR30, NR31, NR32, NR33

If you live outside of these postcodes, but near to the boundary of one that we do cover, please contact us and we may be able to help.

Yes you can, as long as the two locations are in the same post code area, or otherwise no further apart than 10 miles. If they aren't you'll need to ask and we will always try to accomodate you.

This varies from person to person, depending upon your aptitude and desire.

The national average is around 45 hours of paid instruction plus 20 hours of private practise, but some pupils can pass with around 30 hours of instruction.

As long as you have been issued with your provisional license you can start learning to drive before taking, or even booking, your theory test.

At the moment we do not provide lessons in cars with automatic gearboxes. We always recommend that you learn to drive, and take your test, in a manual car unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing so.

If you learn to drive in an automatic car, you will not be qualified to drive a manual car while learning to drive a manual car licenses you to drive both.

In order to supervise your private practise the driver must be over 21 years old and have been a qualified driver for at least 3 years. Of course, you must be properly insured to drive the car that you use for the practise.

We will provide motorway lessons from 4th June 2018, but this will be a 6 hour lesson. This will include a journey to the nearest motorway (M11) and a drive on the smart motorway sections of the M25.

The first part of the theory test is the multiple choice section. You will have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions and you will need answer 43 of them correctly to pass this part. These will be based on the rules found in the Highway Code book so start reading this as soon as you start your training. You can buy the DVSA Driving Theory Quiz disk to get some practise in before you go for the test.

Take a free practise theory quiz

The second part of the theory test is the hazard perception test. You will be shown 14 clips of a car moving along a road. The image will be your view from the driver's perspective and you will have to spot hazards that develop in each scene. All of the clips will contain one 'developing' hazard except for one clip, that will contain two developing hazards.


The video shows a sample CGI Hazard Perception clip

The clip shown here highlights the developing hazard of the tractor emerging from the junction with a red ring. You won't see this red ring in the real test.

When you see a hazard developing you will be asked to click the mouse button. It will register your click at the bottom of the screen. Your score on each hazard will depend on how quickly you react to each developing hazard on a score of 1(worst) to 5(best).

You won't be penalised for clicking on potential hazards that do not develop, but you will be penalised for 'pattern clicking'. This is where the computer detects multiple clicks in a regularly spaced pattern, so be wary of clicking too many times when you see what you think may be a hazard. It is also possible to click too early, before the hazard has developed.

The best way to practise is to buy the DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception disk. This is avilable from the DVSA Shop.

The practical test lasts for about 40 minutes. It will start with a simple eyesight check. You have to read a number plate from around 27 metres. If you fail this part you won't be allowed to continue.

There will be a couple of vehicle safety check questions during the test. One question will be asked before you leave the test centre. These are related to driving safety and may be how to check the oil or tyres or something similar. The second question will happen during the test itself and will relate to operating controls such as the wipers, heated windscreen or screen wash controls etc. The most important part of this question is not losing control of the vehicle while operating the appropriate control!

The main part of the test covers your general driving ability. This section covers the main requirements of driving and the examiner will be assessing your control of the vehicle, your use of mirrors, how you follow road procedures and your general awareness. You will be asked to stop and then pull away several times and he may ask you to pull away from behind a parked vehicle and/or carry out a hill start.

The test will also include the independant driving section. The examiner will either ask you to drive to a certain location either by following road signs or a detailed set of instructions, or to follow the instructions of a satnav. You are being tested on your control of the vehicle and knowledge of road procedures, not on your ability to follow a route accurately so don't be too concerned if you miss a turn. He will give you directions to get back on track if you do get lost.

You will also be asked to carry out one of the four manoeuvres. These are the reverse (parallel) park, park on the right or park in a bay (forward or reverse). You may also be asked to carry out a controlled, emergency stop.

If you do make a mistake during your test just carry on. The examiner will only stop the test if he believes you represent a danger to other road users. Most importantly, try not to get too nervous. Easier said than done, but many people who drive well when with their instructors fail 'under exam conditions.'

It doesn't matter how well we, as instructors, can teach. These 40 minutes are in your hands and represent your ability to drive solo.