FAQ's Hopefully all your questions answered

Lessons

How do I book a lesson?
How long are lessons?
What car will I be driving?
Does the car im drivng have dual controls?
How many lessons will I need?
How regualry will I have lessons?
Where do my lesson start and finish?
How do i pay for my lessons?
What do i do if i need to cancel a lesson?

Practice out of lessons

Should I practice with my parents?
What else can I do to help me pass my driving tests?
Where can I get cheap insurance?
What are the "show me tell me questions"?
What can I do to stop myself getting into bad habbits?

Tests

How will I know im ready for my theory test?
How will i know im ready for my practical test?
How do I book a test?
How long are tests?
What car will I be driving?
What happens on test day?
Will my instructor be in the car during my test?

 

Lessons

How do I book a lesson?
Call the freephone number 0800 6123 566 or 07894 988773  if there is no answer  leave a message with your name, contact number and address and you will be called back to the earliest opportunity
Or, fill out the online contact information form and someone will be in touch ASAP

How long are lessons?
Lessons will be no less than 1 hour, this is to allow you as the pupil to make progress and develop your driving skills. In discussion with your instructor he/she will accommodate your individual needs and requirements. Some new drivers can lose concentration if they push themselves too hard but your instructor will be continually monitoring your progress. Most people have a 2 hour lesson each week.

What car will I be driving?
Think driving school instructors operate a varied fleet of vehicles, from Corsa, Clio and Peugot 207. You can select your instructor by vehicle if you wish but generally the vehicle you learn in will not be the car you will always have once you have successfully passed you practical test, so any of our cars will be good for you.

Does the car I’m driving have dual controls?
All www.thinkdrivingschool.co.uk cars are fitted with dual controls.

 

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How many lessons will I need?
Everyone is different and learn new skills at their own pace. Driving is a skill for life and you need to be able to control a vehicle in a variety of traffic and road conditions. There is no time limit to pass your practical driving test but nor should you rush into it. Your instructor will discuss your progress at the end of each lesson.
Research shows that learners who have a combination of professional instruction and private practice do better at the driving test. On average, those who pass have had 47 hours of professional instruction and 20 hours of private practice” (from DSA website)
At think we seem to find it takes a fair bit less, but everyone is different.  

How regularly will I have lessons?
Your instructor will fit your lessons around your needs at a time to suit you and your requirements. It could be that you have TWO x 1hr lessons a week rather than ONE x 2hr lesson.

Where does my lesson start and finish?
You instructor will pick you up and drop you off at a location to suit you – as far as possible. Collecting you from work, perhaps and dropping you at your residence. This clearly has to be within reason and must be discussed with your instructor at point of booking lessons.

How do I pay for my lessons?
There are a variety of payment methods which you can discuss with your instructor when booking your lesson, but cash or chq made out to your instructor are the best.

What do I do if I need to cancel a lesson?
When you instructor contacts you they will give you their contact details. Please give your instructor as much notice as possible in the event of you having to cancel your lesson. It is with regret that your instructor might have to charge you for a cancelled lesson if less than 48 hours notice is given, but this is rare and will be discussed with you as soon as your instructor is free to get in touch with you.

 

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Practice out of lessons

Should I practice with my parents?

If you have your own vehicle or have access to your parent's car then it is well worth while putting in as much private practice as you can. The more you drive the quicker you learn and the more time you spend on the road the quicker you gain invaluable experience of different roads and conditions. You can discuss what you should be doing with your instructor.

What else can I do to help me pass my driving tests?

There is no “secret” to passing your practical driving test. The more effort you put in and listen to the advice of your instructor the better you will be prepared to be successful. Private practice is a good way to gain experience and prepare for your practical test. Reading through the “show me, tell me” questions, learning the “highway code” and the DSA’s “Driving the Essential Skills” make good revision material, you can also watch videos at Learn section of this website and you tube.

Where can I get cheap insurance?
There are many different companies that offer competitive deals and rates for new and young drivers with different schemes and incentives. These can included a “black box” fitted to your vehicle which monitor you driving and can reduce your premium. There is no “one company” fits all, everyone has their own circumstances and different vehicles, so it is best to shop around. It is advisable to get insurance quotes before you select your “prized possession”

What are the "show me tell me questions"?
After your examiner has checked your documents on the day of the test the examiner will ask you ONE “show me” question and ONE “tell me” question from a bank of 19 possible questions. These can be found in the Learn section of this website should you get ONE or BOTH wrong, it will count as 1 minor on your test sheet. Remember you can only accumulate 15 minors during your test so revision in your own time is advisable.

What can I do to stop myself getting into bad habits?
Bad habits are the result of over confidence and complacent attitude. Driving on today’s busy roads varying conditions takes concentration. You instructor will teach and coach you through the safest way to drive but it will remain “your” responsibility to maintain the skills you have been taught. You could consider further courses to develop your driving skills, which could in turn reduce your insurance premiums.

 

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Tests

How will I know I’m ready for my theory test?
There are many “free” web sites where you can conduct mock test from the comfort of your own home. Your instructor will be continually questioning you on your knowledge of the “highway code”. When you feel comfortable that you are passing practice mock theory test you should apply for the test. Follow the link in the Learn section of this website to the DSA booking website. Remember you cannot book your practical driving test until you have passed the theory test.

How will I know I’m ready for my practical test?
In discussion with your instructor you can plan you training and progress to meet your personal targets. Your instructor will not advise you to apply for your test until you both happy that you are fully prepared and have meet the required standards to be successful on your practical driving test.

How do I book a test?
Follow the link in the Learn section of this website, this will take you to the official DSA web site and is the cheapest way to do it. Remember discuss with your instructor before booking your test. For booking your practical driving test you will need your Theory Pass certificate number and driving licence number.

How long are tests?
The practical driving test is 35-40 minutes covering the “show me / tell me” questions and covering a range of road and traffic conditions. You will be expected to carry out a 10 minute independent drive, one of the manoeuvres you are familiar with and possibly an emergency stop.

What car will I be driving?
The best option is to use the car that you are most familiar with and feel comfortable to control for the test. This is usually your instructor’s vehicle so before you book your practical test you should liaise with your instructor to make sure he/she does not have other commitments but your test will be the priority as far as is possible. You can use a private vehicle as long as they meet the requirements of a valid MOT test certificate, road tax, insurance that covers the test and have an additional mirror for the examiner’s use and of course “L” plates front and rear. Your “think” instructor will be quite happy to take you in your car if you wish, speak to them about the benefits of having them there on the day.

What happens on test day?
Test day is like a driving lesson day, your instructor will pick you up normally about an hour before your test.  This will give you time to practice all the manoeuvres again. You will then arrive at the test centre 10 minutes before your allotted time and proceed to the waiting room. You will be called forward by an examiner who will check both parts of your licence and complete the test report disclaimer sheet. The examiner will check your eyesight and proceed to your vehicle. The practical driving test is 35-40 minutes covering the “show me / tell me” questions and covering a range of road and traffic conditions. You will be expected to carry out a 10 minute independent drive, one of the manoeuvres you are familiar with and possibly an emergency stop. At the end of the test you will be offered a debrief by the examiner.

Will my instructor be in the car during my test?
Due to the “freedom of information act” your examiner will ask you if you would like your instructor in the vehicle during the practical test. The decision is yours and you would have discussed this with your instructor prior to your test. At the end of the practical test you will be offered the opportunity for your instructor to be present for any subsequent debrief.

 

 

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Other Think Sites are www.thinkscalextricevents.co.uk and www.thinkVRsimulators.co.uk