Terms and Conditions: 

As a transparent driving school, a learner must confirm acceptance of the training terms before instruction begins. This ensures both parties understand expectations, cancellation rules, and legal responsibilities.

Verification of Driving Licence

The Instructor will check the learner’s licence for validity, provisional entitlement, and any restrictions. DVSA requires this before any on‑road training.

Completion of the Theory Test and Hazard Awareness Test

Learners must pass both tests before booking the practical test. These assess legal knowledge, road signs, and hazard perception skills essential for safe driving.

Conducting an Eyesight Test

DVSA requires learners to read a number plate from 20 metres. The Instructor checks this early to ensure the learner meets legal eyesight standards.

Execution of the Cockpit Drill

Learners must understand how to safely set up the vehicle, including the seat, mirrors, controls, and safety checks. This forms the foundation of safe driving and is demonstrated at the beginning of each lesson and on the driving test day when the examiner enters the car.

Familiarisation with Controls and Usage of Instruments

Covers essential controls such as indicators, wipers, lights, gears, and dashboard instruments (use of these can be asked when driving by the examiner as part of the test criteria). DVSA expects learners to operate all controls confidently.

Steering Control Techniques

Learners must demonstrate safe, smooth steering using DVSA‑approved techniques, maintaining control during turns, manoeuvres, and general driving.

Initiating Movement from the Kerbside

Teaches safe moving‑off procedures: observations, signalling, blind‑spot checks, and smooth acceleration. Examiners assess this multiple times during the test.

Hill Start Procedures

Learners practise controlled moving‑off on inclines. If you are in a manual car, DVSA checks for rollback prevention and safe observation.

Executing Movement at an Angle

Moving off from behind parked vehicles requires precise observation and judgement. DVSA assesses awareness of approaching traffic and safe positioning.

Identifying Safe Stopping Locations

Learners must choose safe, legal, and convenient places to stop. Examiners check for correct judgement and compliance with road rules.

Observational Skills: Utilisation of Mirrors and Awareness of Blind Spots

DVSA places heavy emphasis on mirror checks and blind‑spot awareness. Learners must demonstrate timely, effective observation before any change in speed or direction.

Signal Usage and Compliance with Traffic Regulations

Learners must signal correctly, obey road signs, markings, and legal requirements. Examiners assess clarity, timing, and compliance.

Road Positioning Strategies

Correct lane discipline and positioning are essential for safety. DVSA checks for appropriate positioning on bends, junctions, and multi‑lane roads. The examiner understands the problems with avoiding potholes and will expect safe, controlled avoidance techniques.

Maintaining Safe Following Distances

Learners must apply the two‑second rule and increase distance in poor conditions. Examiners monitor safe separation from other vehicles moving and when stationary.

Handling Stationary Vehicles

Learners must navigate parked cars safely, using correct positioning, speed control, and observation. DVSA checks for safe overtaking and hazard awareness.

Navigating Interactions with Traffic

Covers merging, filtering, meeting oncoming vehicles, and dealing with busy roads. Examiners assess judgement and cooperation with other road users.

Proper Use of the Handbrake

Learners must use the handbrake appropriately during stops, hill starts, and manoeuvres. Incorrect use can lead to faults.

Facilitating Progress on the Road

DVSA expects learners to make safe, timely progress without hesitation. This includes keeping up with appropriate speed limits and traffic flow.

Awareness of Road Speed Limits

Learners must recognise and obey speed limits. Examiners check for appropriate speed, especially in variable or changing limit zones. You should know how to assess the speed of a road if you have not seen a sign.

Executing Basic Left Turns

Learners practise approach, observation, signalling, positioning, and safe turning. DVSA checks for control and hazard awareness.

Executing Basic Right Turns

Right turns require greater judgement due to crossing traffic. Examiners assess observation, positioning, and timing.

Navigating Turns with Filter Lanes

Learners must understand filter arrows, lane discipline, and priority rules. DVSA checks for correct lane usage and safe merging.

Approaching and Navigating Crossroads

Covers priority rules, controlled/uncontrolled junctions, and safe decision‑making. Examiners assess awareness and judgement.

Adhering to Traffic Light Regulations

Learners must obey signals, understand filter arrows, and anticipate changes. DVSA checks for compliance and safe reactions.

Understanding Give Way Signs

Learners must correctly apply priority rules and judge gaps and expect the pupils to emerge when safe to do so, to keep traffic flowing. Examiners assess safe, confident decision‑making.

Compliance with Stop Signs

A full, legal stop is required. DVSA checks for complete cessation of movement and correct observation before proceeding. Handbrake use is not mandatory but advised to ensure this.

Navigating General Roundabouts

Learners must choose correct lanes, signal appropriately, and maintain safe flow. Examiners assess observation and lane discipline.

Navigating Multi‑Roundabouts

Complex roundabouts require strong planning and lane awareness. DVSA checks for safe navigation and correct exit selection.

Navigating Spiral Roundabouts

Learners must follow marked lanes and maintain correct positioning. Examiners assess accuracy and compliance with road markings.

Understanding Pedestrian Crossings and Other Crossing Points

Learners must recognise crossing types and give priority where required. DVSA checks for safe approach and awareness of vulnerable road users.

Managing Dual Carriageways: Joining, Leaving, Overtaking, and Changing Lanes

Learners must demonstrate safe merging, lane changes, overtaking, and speed control. DVSA assesses judgement and observation at higher speeds.

Executing a Controlled Stop

Learners practise emergency stops with correct braking (and clutch control in a manual vehicle). Examiners assess reaction time and vehicle stability. Effective and safe all-round observations are required when moving off following the manoeuvre.

Performing Reverse Bay Parking (Left or Right)

Learners must reverse safely into a bay using DVSA‑approved observation and control techniques.

Performing Forward Bay Parking (Left or Right)

Learners must enter a bay safely and exit with correct observation. DVSA checks for accuracy and safety.

Executing a Right-Hand Pull-Up with Reverse

A DVSA test manoeuvre requiring pulling up on the right, reversing safely two car lengths, and rejoining traffic with correct observations.

Conducting Reverse Parallel Parking

Learners must park behind a vehicle using controlled steering and continuous observation. DVSA checks for accuracy and safety.

Instructor Demonstration Drive

The Instructor commentates whilst driving at the DVSA - level of competence. This shows the pupil how to improve the driving so as to achieve the model correct behaviour expected to pass a practical driving test.

Utilisation of Satellite Navigation Systems

Learners must follow sat‑nav directions safely for approximately 20 mins of the test. DVSA uses sat‑nav for most independent driving sections.

Overview of Test Centre Visit and Practical Driving Test Day Procedures

Explains arrival, ID checks, eyesight test, route structure, manoeuvres, and result process.

Responding to Show and Tell Questions (Stationary / In Motion)

Learners must answer DVSA “Show Me / Tell Me” questions demonstrating knowledge of vehicle safety and controls.

Official DVSA Show Me / Tell Me Questions: https://www.gov.uk/driving-test/using-the-car

Understanding Fault Award Criteria as Used by Examiners

Learners must understand the difference between driving faults, serious faults, and dangerous faults as defined by DVSA. Any error, at any time, can be repaired or adjusted. The examiner's intention is not to fail you; they are simply seeing if you can drive unassisted legally and safely.

Refuelling Procedures

Covers safe refuelling, fuel types, and legal requirements. DVSA expects learners to understand basic vehicle safety.

Mock Practical Driving Assessment

This is optional to assist the student in assessing their level of competence. This is done in the later stages of the driving course. It may help making a decision when to book a Practical driving test.

Exploring the Pass Plus Option Following Successful Completion of the Test

Pass Plus provides post‑test training covering motorways, night driving, and advanced skills. It can reduce insurance costs.