Eurofit Autocentres Ultimate Guide on Learning How to Drive
Learning how to drive is one of the monumental moments in your life! It is the real first stage of independence.
Learning road signs, buying your first car, checking your tyres… This can all be a very stressful experience for a new driver.
Eurofit Autocentres have put together a guide that will cover the most important stages you need to take BEFORE getting on the road.
Applying for your provisional licence
There are two ways you can apply for your provisional driving licence here in the UK.
The quickest is by going online and applying to the governments website, you’ll need a form of ID such as your passport, your address details for the last three years and a debit or credit card. The current price for this is £34.
The older way, which your parents (sorry Mom and Dad) will probably remember is the D1 form, you can get these from a post office. The current price for this is £43. Definitely cheaper to do this online!
Before applying for your provisional driving licence, you must:
- Be no younger than 15 years and 9 months old
- Be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
- Provide proof of identity
- Have a National Insurance number
Learning how to drive
Everyone will always remember the person who helped them learn to drive!
Always be sure you do your research when choosing your driving instructor. Whether you choose to go with a private instructor or with a big-name driving school, they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Lessons with your parents can be pretty stressful, just because they have been driving for a long time, doesn’t mean they are good at it!
The theory test
Before you can book your test, you must have a provisional driving licence!
You are able to sit this test from your 17th birthday.
There are no shortcuts in learning how to drive and this test is compulsory before you sit your practical exam.
The theory test is made up of two parts: the multiple-choice questions, and the hazard perception.
There are 50 questions within the multiple-choice, and you have 57 minutes to answer.
In the hazard perception test, you will be shown 14 short clips where you have to click every time you see a potential hazard.
See our blog on How to Pass your theory test with Eurofit Autocentres to ace this!
The theory test costs £23, and if you fail, this is non-refundable!
Booking your driving test
The theory test is over, and you can now book your driving test.
The best thing to do is to relax! If you stress out and panic, you are more likely to make a mistake which could cost you the entire test.
The practical driving test costs £62, or £75 if you are planning to take it on the weekend or bank holiday, again, this is non-refundable (ouch).
Your driving test will be broken down into five sections: An eyesight check, vehicle safety, driving ability, reversing, and independent driving.
To pass you must not get more than 15 faults (minors) and no serious faults (majors).
Buying your first car
Buying your first car is a big deal! But there are many things to consider.
You want it to reflect your personality, but it has to be affordable!
New or used?
A new car will give you better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, this usually leads to lower tax and insurance!
A used car will be cheaper, in your first years of driving you are more likely to scratch it and reverse it into a lamppost. Do you really want to reverse your new Audi into a lamppost?
Whether it be an Audi, BMW, Ford, Peugeot, Nissan, Vauxhall or Mini…
Eurofit Autocentres will be here for you, no problem is too big or too small for our technicians to fix!