Practical Lessons
Book your theory/driving test online at the DSA website here
Learner Drivers:
It is essential that when learning to drive a pupil must follow a structured learning programmed-At IAN KINGDON’S DRIVER TRAINING you will be given Structured Tuition following a logical sequence according to the DSA syllabus.
Help and Advice on theory training will be given free of charge, including the supply of Free Theory Mock Test papers if required.
All of IAN KINGDON’S Driving Instructors are licensed and Regulated by the DSA and will give you continuous feedback on your progress and guidance on when to apply for your tests.
Driving Lessons:
We would generally recommend a two hours driving lesson once a week as the best way to make good progress. (Substantial savings can be made in training time required by taking two hours driving lessons)
By paying for blocks of driving lessons in advance you will be eligible for discounts on our basic lesson prices. Gifts Vouchers are also available for any occasion.
Helping a Learner :
It takes on average 12 months of training to become a driving instructor, so it makes sense to learn with a DSA driving instructor to make sure that the correct syllabus is followed. It can also help to have some private practice with a friend or relative to make sure you follow up all the things you learn in your lessons. The Driving Standards Agency say that a learner on average takes 46 hours of tuition with 22 hours of private practice*. *Source: Driving standards agency website June 2005.
The saying that “Practice makes perfect” still holds true today especially when learning to drive. A good driver will have a mixture of knowledge, judgment and manipulative skills. For a learner to achieve these good instruction, and plenty of it is the official recommendation you will receive from the Driving Standards Agency
On today’s busy roads new drivers cannot afford to learn in a haphazard way. Statistics show more than 95% of all learners will have learnt to drive with a professional Driving Instructor, with good reasons for doing so.
No matter how good a driver you think a relative or friend is they will probably not have the experience or patience needed to teach. Driving instructors are trained to teach They are professional and will have the experience to know when you are ready for the driving test. Where a friend or family member can help ,under the instructors guidance, will be in adding extra practice between lessons.
For most learners the principal skills needed for driving can be learnt relatively quickly, what takes time will be the development of the learners ability to make judgments and decisions in traffic. For this a proper system of training is not only essential it’s a must! Not only will a structured system make you a better driver it will save you time and money.
Some Really Useful Information published by the DVSA today on what is required to be test ready – note the Average amount of hours recommended to be up to test standard -APPROX 67 HOURS IN TOTAL !!!
Some will get there much quicker than that but that also means some will need many more – it really is down to the students ability to learn and the standard of instruction provided
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Contents
Notes for driving instructors
1. Learning the basics
2. Getting the car ready
3. Being aware of others
4. Manoeuvres
5. Road types
6. Driving conditions
7. Navigation
8. Fuel
9. Transporting people and loads
Notes for driving instructors
On average, it takes 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice to learn to drive.
45
hours of driving lessons
22
hours of private practice
Key
Use this key on your pupil’s progress form.
Introduced
Helped
Prompted
Independent
Reflection
This will help you decide when your pupil is ready for their test.
Resources
These resources from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can help your pupil:
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive
The Official DVSA Guide to driving – the essential skills
The Official Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs
There are key skills that make up the recommended syllabus. DVSA guidance explains what each skill covers and what your pupil must know and understand.
1. Learning the basics
Skills in this section:
driving legally
driving safely
checking the car
1.1 Driving legally
What this skill covers
Meeting the driver and car rules.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand the rules on:
drink and drugs
mobile phones
tiredness and resting
dealing with accidents
their driving licence and who can help them with private practice
health and eyesight
vehicle condition and registration
tax, MOT and insurance
traffic rules and regulations
their car being safe to drive
1.2 Driving safely
What this skill covers
Being able to do FLOWER (fuel, lights, oil, water, electrics, rubber) car safety checks.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to do daily and weekly car checks
the importance of regular servicing
how to plan for journeys, especially longer ones
how to keep windscreens clear and clean
1.3 Checking the car
What this skill covers
Being able to adjust driving equipment in the right order so that they’re in the best position for driving. Getting in and out of the car safely.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand how to check and adjust (if applicable) the:
doors are closed and parking brake on
seat and headrest position, including how to adjust and lock firmly
steering wheel
seat belt
mirrors, including anti-dazzle
gears and parking brake
fuel
2. Getting the car ready
Skills in this section:
mirrors – signal – manoeuvre, position – speed – look
using mirrors
using signals
using controls and instruments
moving away and stopping
safe positioning
anticipating and planning
use of speed
keeping the car secure
2.1 Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre, Position – Speed – Look
What this skill covers
Making the MSM and PSL routine an integral part of their driving.
What your pupil must know and understand
MSM
Mirrors. Check the speed and position of traffic behind them
Signals. Consider whether a signal is necessary. If it is, signal their intention to change course or slow down clearly and in good time
Manoeuvre. Make the manoeuvre if it’s safe. Make sure their position and speed are appropriate, and that they look and act on what they see
Position
Their vehicle is in the correct position for the manoeuvre and that they move in plenty of time if they need to change direction.
Speed
They make sure their car is moving at the right speed and in a suitable gear to manoeuvre safely.
Look
Look – What do they see?
Assess – What are their options?
Decide – Depending on what they see.
Act – Either continue or wait.
2.2 Using mirrors
What this skill covers
Using interior, exterior, flat, concave and convex mirrors. What area each mirror covers and where blinds spots are.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
why they need to use mirrors
when they need to use mirrors
how to act on what they see
how to carry out all-round visual checks, including blind spots, to make sure it’s safe to move off
that they need to check car mirrors often and why it’s important that they do
2.3 Using signals
What this skill covers
Using indicators and arm signals. Brake, reversing and hazard lights.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
why it’s necessary to use signals
when and how to use signals
unnecessary signals
how road signals are used by other road users and traffic controllers
2.4 Using controls and instruments
What this skill covers
Using controls and instruments effectively. Knowing what happens if they’re not used properly.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand how and when to use the:
accelerator, clutch and footbrake
parking brake, steering wheel, horn, indicators and gears
warning lights and speedometer
windscreen wipers
hazard, reversing, side, fog and headlights
demister and heated windows
You must explain to your pupil how these may vary between manufacturers.
2.5 Moving away and stopping
What this skill covers
Moving and stopping the car in a controlled way. Being able to do this on a level road, on a slope, when straight and at an angle.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand how to:
coordinate the accelerator, clutch and footbrake
use the steering wheel and parking brake
find a suitable stopping place
be observant, knowing where and when to look, what to look for and where there may be blind spots
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
2.6 Safe positioning
What this skill covers
Being able to position the car safely on different roads and traffic conditions.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
what the normal driving position is
how to position the car on bends, wide roads, narrow roads and one-way streets
what lane discipline is
how to pass stationary vehicles and obstructions safely
the positioning of other vehicles (long vehicles, cyclists etc) and how that impacts on them
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
2.7 Anticipating and planning
What this skill covers
Being able to anticipate the risks of driving and plan what to do in a risk situation. This could be from other road users (including emergency vehicles), animals or road works.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to identify and react to developing hazards
what visual warnings there may be
times and places of high risk
the risks associated with different weather conditions
scanning and priorities
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
2.8 Use of speed
What this skill covers
Driving at an appropriate speed, moving with the flow of traffic and not hesitating unnecessarily.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
national speed limits
restricted speed limits
why they should change driving speed to suit the road, weather and traffic conditions
why they should drive at a safe speed for pedestrians
what the stopping distances are
2.9 Keeping the car secure
What this skill covers
Keeping themselves, their car and their personal items safe. Being able to do this during the day, at night, when parking and in the event of a breakdown or accident.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
to be alert to potential theft of and from their car
what personal and car security systems there are
safe places to park
3. Being aware of others
Skills in this section:
meeting and crossing traffic
overtaking
junctions
using roundabouts
approaching pedestrian crossings
3.1 Meeting and crossing traffic
What this skill covers
Driving safely when meeting or crossing traffic on:
one-way and two-way roads
three-lane (where possible) and two-way roads
major and minor roads
narrow roads
dual carriageways
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupils must know and understand:
when and why they should give way to other road users
passing places and warning signs
what to do when passing obstructions, such as parked vehicles
how to act on what they see
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
3.2 Overtaking
What this skill covers
Being able to safely overtake other vehicles on:
one-way and two-way roads
three-lane (where possible) and two-way roads
major and minor roads
dual carriageways
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand to:
check their speed and position before overtaking
check behind and in front of their car
check if there is enough space for them to pull their car into the traffic in front of the vehicle that they’re overtaking
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
3.3 Junctions
What this skill covers
Driving safely and negotiating any junction, including:
turning left, turning right
T-junctions and Y-junctions
crossroads and slip roads
marked and unmarked junctions
one-way streets
urban areas and rural areas
dual carriageways
yellow box junctions
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
the rules for turning, entering and coming out of junctions
advance warning signs and road markings
the order of traffic lights
what the zone of vision is
which vehicle has priority at a junction
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
3.4 Using roundabouts
What this skill covers
Driving safely and confidently on these types of roundabouts:
mini and major
multiple and satellite (where possible)
traffic light controlled
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
the importance of lane discipline at a roundabout
the zones of vision at a roundabout
how to use observation early
to not assume that the vehicle in front will pull away
which vehicle has priority at a roundabout
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
3.5 Approaching pedestrian crossings
What this skill covers
Approaching controlled (such as pelican) and uncontrolled (such as zebra) pedestrian crossings. How to obey school crossing patrols.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
the visual warnings of a pedestrian crossing
the speed restriction as they approach a pedestrian crossing
not to overtake near a pedestrian crossing
that they need to scan for pedestrians as they approach a pedestrian crossing
the times and places of high risk
how different weather conditions can add to the risk
what central refuges and split carriageways are
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
4. Manoeuvres
Skills in this section:
reversing in a straight line, reversing left or right
turning the car around
parking
emergency stop
4.1 Reversing in a straight line, reversing left or right
What this skill covers
Pulling the car up on the left or right and reversing in a straight line on:
wide and narrow roads
level and sloping roads
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to manoeuvre safely, legally and in a way that is convenient to others
how to coordinate foot and hand controls
square and radius corners
how to steer the car so that it moves in the right direction
the importance of good observation, judgement and accuracy
how to signal
4.2 Turning the car around
What this skill covers
Turning the car around safely on flat, sloping, wide and narrow roads.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to manoeuvre safely, legally and in a way that is convenient to others
how to coordinate foot and hand controls
how to steer the car so that it moves in the right direction
the importance of good observation, judgement and accuracy
how to signal
4.3 Parking
What this skill covers
Knowing how to park safely:
in a bay (both driving in and reversing in)
on a street (parallel parking)
on both level and sloping roads
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to manoeuvre safely, legally and in a way that is convenient to others
how to coordinate foot and hand controls
how to steer the car so that it moves in the right direction
the importance of good observation, judgement and accuracy
how to signal
4.4 Emergency stop
What this skill covers
Knowing how to stop the car in the event of an emergency. How to control a skid.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand how to:
look for hazards
coordinate the clutch and brake
control skidding
plan and be ready to react to other drivers
react to road and weather conditions
move away safely after stopping the car
Your pupil must know how an anti-lock braking system (ABS) can help in an emergency stop.
5. Road types
Skills in this section:
country roads
towns and cities
dual carriageways
motorways
5.1 Country roads
What this skill covers
Anticipating and planning journeys on country roads. How to drive at an appropriate speed, consider traffic and stay safe on road bends.
What your pupils must know and understand
Your pupils must know and understand:
how to scan the road and the road priorities
how to allow for other traffic
what speed restriction they should keep within for the type of road
how to look for hazards
how to drive safely around bends
5.2 Towns and cities
What this skill covers
Driving on busy roads in towns and cities.
What your pupils must know and understand
how to cooperate with other road users to keep the traffic flowing and prevent accidents
that they must look out for other road users and try to predict what they’re likely to do
to allow plenty of space for road users who may have different road rules. For example, a driver of a large vehicle may need to swing out to make a turn
5.3 Dual carriageways
What this skill covers
Driving on urban and rural carriageways and clearways.
What your pupils must know and understand
Your pupils must know and understand:
the speed limits and lane discipline for dual carriageways
any advance warning or information signs
how to join and leave a dual carriageway safely
how to turn safely on a dual carriageway
what to do if their car breaks down, including using hazard lights and triangles
how road and weather conditions can make dual carriageway driving more difficult
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
5.4 Motorways
What this skill covers
Driving on motorways. Motorway rules, signs, signals and lane discipline.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupils must know and understand:
the speed limit and lane discipline for motorways
how to join and leave a motorway safely
what to do if their car breaks down on a motorway
how they should take regular breaks from driving
smart motorways and emergency refuge areas
to be aware of other vehicles
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
6. Driving conditions
Skills in this section:
driving in the dark
driving on wet roads and in bad weather
driving in bright sunshine
6.1 Driving in the dark
What this skill covers
Driving in the dark on urban and rural roads, single and dual carriageways.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to drive at an appropriate speed
the impact that darkness has on their visibility
how to use their lights (including hazard lights) and horn
how to deal with the dazzle from the lights of other vehicles
how to park safely
6.2 Driving on wet roads and in bad weather
What this skill covers
Driving safely on wet roads and in other bad weather.
This includes driving in the fog, ice, snow or wind.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand.
how to drive at an appropriate speed
what the stopping distances are
the impact of the weather on their visibility
how to cope with skidding and aquaplaning
what warning signs and signals to look for
how to use their lights (including hazard lights) and horn
anti-lock braking and vehicle stability systems
how to park safely
6.3 Driving in bright sunshine
What this skill covers
Driving in bright sunshine, dealing with glare and low winter sun.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand.
they must reduce their speed and leave a bigger stopping distance between them and the car in front
to drive carefully and look out for pedestrians and cyclists
that windscreens should be kept clean as a dirty windscreen can make dazzle worse
to wear sunglasses or use the visor to reduce glare
7. Navigation
Skills in this section:
using a sat nav
driving using instructions from a passenger
planning and navigating a route
7.1 Using a sat nav
What this skill covers
Setting up a sat nav and driving using instructions from a sat nav
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to fit the sat nav in a position that minimises distraction
that they need to programme a sat nav before they start their journey
that sat navs can sometimes fail, and how to prepare for that happening
7.2 Driving using instructions from a passenger
What this skill covers
Following route instructions from a passenger in a way that is safe.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
the importance of forward planning
lane discipline
how to read traffic signs and signals and follow road markings
how to anticipate the actions of other road users
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
7.3 Planning and navigating a route
What this skill covers
Planning and following their own route as part of the driving lesson.
What your pupils must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
the importance of forward planning
lane discipline
how to read traffic signs and signals and follow road markings
how to anticipate the actions of other road users
how to ask for your help in plenty of time when they need it
Your pupil must use the MSM and PSL routine.
8. Fuel
What this skill covers:
Driving in a way that uses less fuel and helps the environment.
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
different driving styles and how they impact on the environment
how important it is to look after their car
how to dispose of used oil, used batteries and tyres
how important it is to have the right tyre pressure and depth
9. Transporting people and loads
What this skill covers:
Being responsible when:
having passengers in their car (adults, children, babies, and animals)
carrying loads on and in their car
loading trailers and cycle racks
What your pupil must know and understand
Your pupil must know and understand:
how to use the car seat belts
the appropriate car seat for a baby or child
how to use doors, guards, and restraints when transporting animals
the rules for carrying loads safely
the rules for towing, trailers and cycle racks
how to load luggage for weight distribution
- How many lessons are taken each week –
Taking more than one lesson a week normally means less lessons - Does the learner have previous driving experience –
Have you ridden a motorbike? It can help with road sense - Whether extra practice is taken outside of lessons –
Will you drive with a family member between lessons - The quickness in remembering what has been taught –
Will you read books on driving to improve your driving - The age of the learner at the time of taking lessons –
From 17 the sooner
