Preparing
for your driving test - The Driver's Record
Those
who pass their driving test have had, on
average, about 45 hours of professional
training combined with 22 hours of private
practice. Learners who prepare this way,
with a combination of plenty of professional
training and plenty of practice, do better
in the test.
To
help you learn in a structured way, the
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has produced
a Drivers Record. You may have received
a Drivers Record with your provisional
driving licence. This will help you monitor
your progress and provide you with a lasting
record of your achievement. You can also
get one from your instructor, from your
local driving test centre or from the
link in the 'When to take your practical
test' section below.
Structured
learning
The
Drivers Record is a way of helping you
and your driving instructor keep a record
of your progress while youre learning
to drive.
The
Drivers Record has a list of 24 key
skills covered in the practical driving
test. It has space for your instructor
to fill in as you progress through the
five levels shown on the Record. Levels
one to four should be initialled and
dated by your instructor, and full details
added when you reach level five. From
this, both you and your instructor will
be able to see at a glance which skills
you need to improve.
You
need to learn the skill and then practise
to get the experience. You also need
to learn both the theory and practical
driving at the same time, especially
now that the theory test contains a
hazard perception part. The record is
a pocket-sized leaflet that you should
take with you to all your driving lessons.
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What
are the five levels?
The
meaning of each level is:
- the
skill is introduced
- it
can be carried out under full instruction
- it
can be carried out correctly when prompted
- it
seldom needs to be prompted
- you
can carry it out consistently without any prompting
The
Drivers Record will help to remind you what youre trying
to achieve, how to get there and how far youve got.
Practising
your driving skills
An
important part of the structured learning process is practising
what you have learned during your lessons. Get together
with your instructor and the person who will be helping
you to practise and discuss what you need to practise.
You
should vary what you do. Try to practise:
- on
as many types of road as you can
- in
all sorts of traffic and weather conditions, even
in the dark
- on
dual carriageways where the national speed limit
applies -you may be asked to drive on this type
of road during the test
You
should try to keep a record of any practice you have on
different types of road and during different conditions
between lessons. This will help you to remember and quantify
the amount of practice you have had in the different conditions.
You should also record any worries you may have about
your driving and then discuss these with your instructor.
When
to take your practical test
You
arent ready to take your test until you have a complete
set of signatures in the level five boxes. Only then can
your instructor sign the declaration. By this time you
should be able to drive safely without prompting from
your instructor or the person helping you to practise.
Dont
forget to take the Record with you when you go for your
practical driving test. Keep this as a record of your
learning to drive experience.
If
you would like a copy of the driver's record, click on
the link below.
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