Automatic driving lessons, Learn with Duncan
Information
Theory Test information
Age
You need to have a provisional licence to start driving and I will ask you for a check code before we start, this is so that I can confirm your entitlement to drive. (More about that below)
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you’re 17 although you can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The Car
MG HS Exclusive PHEV
Well, what can I say about this car other than it is the height of luxury. If it doesn't have it, then that is because it hasn’t been invented yet!
Full leather interiorElectric seat adjustmentElectric windowsPower assisted steeringAnti-lock braking systemDual controls
Full panoramic roof360 degree camera viewEasy to read Digital dashLane assistAir conditioningElectric and petrol
The Lessons
All you need to bring is your provisional driving licence to your lesson. Learn
with Duncan will provide you with an App that allows us both to keep a record of progress.
Some people have had driving experience before, and some haven’t – and that’s ok. If you have driven before, I will ask a few questions to establish your current level of driving, and we’ll go for a drive around a quiet area so that I can watch your driving and you can get used to driving the car. We can then work on developing any areas which you feel you need to practice, and we’ll perfect any areas that you’ve already got the hang of. Lessons following our first will be continuing developing and challenging your weaknesses and enhancing your strengths. If you haven’t driven before, we’ll go through the basics of driving a car. First of all, we’ll look at the ‘Cockpit Drill’. This is making sure the car is set up for your use, such as ensuring the seat is adjusted for you, the head restraint is adjusted, the mirrors, etc. Following this, we’ll look at the controls of the car – such as what the controls do, which pedals are which and what they do and then onto how to use them.
On your first lesson, you will be driving if you feel comfortable doing so. It will usually be a quiet residential road and I have dual control pedals to assist if need be. This lesson will be taken at your own pace. Your driving on your first lesson will mostly consist of moving off and stopping to practice using the pedals. We may also look at basic junctions.
If you are nervous and would prefer not to drive on your first lesson, that’s ok too! We can take it slowly at a pace to suit you.
Please look at my contact
page
and let me know if you have any particular concerns about your driving. I will be happy to accommodate anything that may help you feel more comfortable when starting your lessons.
On subsequent lessons, we will aim to introduce different subjects such as junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, parking, and so on. How quickly we introduce these things will depend on your progress – and it’s important to note that there is no minimum or maximum number of hours you must have – everyone is different and learns at a different pace. You will find me to be very patient, calm, and understanding. All your progress will be recorded on our App.
I will also encourage you to take your theory test as soon as you can although you can legally drive before taking this test. Practicing for your theory test alongside your practical lessons will enable you to put your theory knowledge into practice and put your practical knowledge into your theory.
Leading up to your practical test day, we will do mock tests, where we practice as if we were doing a real test. By doing mock tests we can look at how close you are to being able to pass a real driving test, and we can spot any areas which need improving before the big day. I understand that doing your practical driving test can be daunting, and maybe even scary! Please talk to me if you are particularly nervous about the test – again, I can help you in many ways.
Our lessons will be fun and exciting, and I will do anything I can to help make your learning fun and relaxing whilst trying to get you through your driving test as quickly and as safely as possible. The aim is to get you driving to a standard which is both independent of help and most importantly safe.
The Theory Test has two sections
The "Multiple Choice" pass mark is 86%, so you will need to answer 43 out of 50 multiple choice questions correctly to pass. The DVSA tell us that the multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
` The Highway Code
` Know your traffic signs
` Driving - the essential skills
The "Hazard Perception" section involves reacting (clicking) to video clips.
In order to pass the hazard perception test, you must get at least 44 points out of a maximum of 75. For this part you will watch some videos containing one or more hazard. The points you receive depends on the timing, of your click, when you spot the hazard. Some clips will contain more than one hazard.
You need to pass both parts of the theory test when you take it. Passing one is not good enough.
There will need be some revision involved, which I will help you with, and can point you in the direction of apps and websites that can help with your preparation.
You can only take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.
It is advisable to notify DVSA is you have,
` reading difficulty
` disability
` health condition
If you have reading difficulties, you can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book your test. You can hear it in English or Welsh. You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.
You can get,
` extra time to take the test
` someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers
` someone to reword the questions for you
It is important to remember that if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) agree you need extra support then they will help.
Entitlement to drive a car
In June 2015 the paper counterpart of the driving licence was abolished and driving licences now consist of just the photo card. Endorsements, penalty points and driving bans will only be accessible online. As it is possible to have a licence and be banned, before your first driving lesson I will check your full licence details to see which category of vehicles you are permitted to drive, and to check for penalty points and disqualifications.
You must follow these simple steps before the 1st lesson.
You will need to generate a code which will allows Learn
with Duncan to check your licence details:
To do this you will need:
Your driving licence
Your national insurance number
Your home postcode
Go to this website
Step one: Enter your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode as shown on your driving licence.
Step two: Click on “share licence information”. This creates a code. The code is case sensitive, can only be used once, and is only valid for 21 days.
Step three: Email the code together with the last eight digits of your driving licence number.
In advance of your first driving lesson Learn with Duncan will view your licence details on-line. Be aware that we may save a screenshot as evidence of the licence entitlement check.
Please note you should also produce your photo card licence for ID inspection on your first lesson. It is your responsibility to provide proof that you have a valid licence to drive, before you move the car.
Test Centres
Westbury test centre closed, in February 2020, leaving Trowbridge as the nearest place to take a driving test. All of our lessons will be with the aim of a test at Trowbridge driving test centre.
