Starsky & Clutch

Driving Services

Theory Test

The theory test is broken down into two parts: theory test and hazard perception test.

From the 28th of September 2009, you will need to answer a case study-style question as part of your Theory Test. In your test, you will be presented with one case study where you will be required to answer 5 questions that are related to the scenario displayed on the screen.

Each question will still be in the multiple-choice format as with the other Theory Test questions.

You will still need to answer 50 multiple-choice questions that are broken down as follows:

45 multiple-choice questions

5 multiple-choice questions that relate to the case study

The pass mark remains at 43/50

Practical Driving Test

On your test, your examiner will be looking for you to show that you:

  1. Can drive safely
  2. Know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving
  3. Your test will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). As well as this your test will include two show me tell me questions.

After the eyesight test, you will be examined on your general driving, one reversing exercise and a period of Independent Driving. The reversing exercise will be chosen from:

  1. Reversing around a corner
  2. Turning in the road
  3. Reverse parking
  4. Bay Parking (depending on test centre)
  5. You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes.

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

How do we make sure you’re ready for the Test?

As you get to test standard in your lessons we will put you through your paces in a mock test. This test is both to check your driving standards and also to let you know what to expect on your real driving test. We will complete the test in the same way as a proper practical test and mark it accordingly. We will go over the test report sheet which will help you understand how it is marked and the reasons why something is a minor/serious fault. You will also understand how much of an effect test nerves may have on your driving.

At that stage we will give you our opinion on your readiness for the test and discuss what you need to do between that point and actually taking you test. We are not necessarily looking for you to pass this test and will use judgment according to which faults you make. We think the mock test is an invaluable exercise and would hope you will take it as seriously as possible

Independent Driving

The examiner will ask you to pull up and park at a safe and convenient location. You will then be asked to either drive independently to a location such as ‘Newtown’ following road signs and markings, or be given a series of directions and shown a diagram to get to a destination. The diagram will typically have just 3 steps within it- for example-

STEP 1) Turn right at the end of the road.

STEP 2) Turn right at the roundabout.

STEP 3) Turn right at the traffic lights.

A single route may involve long roads in order to cover the whole 10 minute period, or you may be asked to park twice or even three times in succession, each time being given a new separate route, perhaps lasting just 3 or 5 minutes each.

So, you could get one long independent driving route, two shorter routes or even three very short routes, either with diagrams or a mixture of diagrams and following signs.

If you go the wrong way don’t panic! The examiner will get you back on course and you will not receive a fault if your driving has been correct and safe. So if you turn left instead of right it is fine if you have signalled left, positioned correctly for a left turn, and the road to the left is not a no entry road etc.

If you get lost or can’t remember where you were supposed to go don’t panic! You can ask where you need to go at any stage, but this is best done in good time so you can select the correct signal and lane etc where necessary. So if you are approaching a roundabout, you could ask the examiner which way to turn and he or she will tell you, and you will not receive a fault for asking. The same would be true for a crossroads or T junction situation etc.

The examiner is not judging your navigation skills, but your ability to drive, position, signal etc independently.

The Pass Plus Course

The Pass Plus course is designed for drivers who have recently passed their test. It is to teach you further skills and experience in different situations you may not have encountered in the test or pre-test driving lessons. It has been designed in conjunction with insurance companies so that the cost of the course should be offset by insurance discounts. We believe this course is invaluable and as such offer it to pupils we have taught as learners at a significant discount even though it actually costs me more compared with 6 standard lessons. The DSA specify you must take at least six hours of Pass Plus tuition and it covers the following modules: –

  1. Town Driving
  2. All-weather driving
  3. Driving on Rural Roads
  4. Night Driving
  5. Driving on Dual Carriageways
  6. Motorway Driving

For more information on Pass Plus please click on the Pass Plus logo at the top of our website (the Link will open in a new window so you can return here easily.).

Motorway Driving

Are you planning a journey that is going to need motorway driving? Motorways are the safest type of road but many people avoid them due to lack of confidence. These lessons are designed to give you the confidence to drive on Motorways. Motorway lessons are available for 1 or 2 hours but to cover a variety of them and build confidence we recommend two hours together. It involves covering the signs and markings you’d expect to see and practice on a variety of motorways, both urban and rural. Generally aimed at people who would not benefit from Pass Plus discounts or people who have driven for a while but not had the confidence to use Motorways yet.

Intensive Courses

Due to new instructors coming on-board we can now offer intensive courses to those who have or haven’t driven before. From those who want to learn in a week to those who’ve had lessons before and want to brush up their skills before test.

We recommend that you take an assessment lesson before booking an intensive course.

PLEASE NOTE: UNLIKE SOME OTHER DRIVING SCHOOLS OUR INTENSIVE COURSE PRICES INCLUDE 1 ATTEMPT AT BOTH THE THEORY TEST AND THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST. IF YOU PASS BOTH FIRST TIME THEN THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO PAY!!

If you have not reached test standard by the end of the course then you are not allowed to sit the test. This is non-refundable.

29hr INTENSIVE COURSE – £655
LEARN TO DRIVE IN 1-5 WEEKS!

This course includes 29hr one-to-one in-car tuition with one of our qualified instructors. It is suitable for people who can learn practical skills quickly and can be taken in various lengths but is usually over 1 week. We aim to be flexible to fit around your commitments but there should be a minimum of 6 lessons per week so you pick it up quickly. Your test will be booked to take place on your last lesson.

20hr INTENSIVE COURSE – £465

This course includes 20hr one-to-one in car tuition with one of our qualified instructors. It is suitable for people who have driven before and feel they only need help with a few points to reach test standard. They should be able to learn quickly and under pressure. The course can be taken in one week or two weeks in the run up to your test. Because this would not be enough tuition to learn from scratch it is recommended you take an assessment of your skills before selecting this course. This is available at standrad prices or as an hour of this course if you wish to go ahead.

PLEASE NOTE : –

All intensive courses include one attempt at the theory and one attempt at the practical driving test. Our instructors will try their very best to teach you the required skills to pass your test. However, should you require further attempts then these would have to paid for at the standard test fee rates, as would any additional lessons required. It should be noted that we can not guarantee you pass your test with any course. No other driving school can either. As driving tests need to be booked weeks in advance you need to take and pass your theory before course dates can be confirmed.

Road Safety

As driving instructors, we find it frustrating that we have taught many young drivers to drive safely and within the speed limits. However, in our jobs we regularly meet people wanting lessons who have previously passed the driving test and lost their licence with six points in 2 years under the Young Drivers Act(no-one we’ve taught so far!) They have worked extremely hard to pass their test but have to do it all again.

The last thing we say to pupils after they have passed their test is to drive safely, take care and not do anything silly leading to loss of licence or worse. We remind them how important the licence is to them and how hard it was to achieve. We also encourage completion of the Pass Plus course to further enhance their driving skills offering a discount to our pupils when they pass.

We are also annoyed to see in the media that young drivers are most at risk from accidents than anyone else on the road. In our experience, it is this age group that find driving easier to learn, more natural and easier to be successful in the test. However, it is external social pressures that change driving habits.

To try to help with this we have provided links below to road safety sites and charities for you to browse.

Terms & Conditions of our Business

Lesson Cancellations/No-shows

24 hours notice is required if you cancel a lesson. If you do not give 24 hours notice we may charge you for the lesson. By cancelling late you take up a space that another pupil could benefit from and our time is less efficient. You will be charged if we arrive for a pre-arranged lesson and you are not available if we have not been contacted beforehand. However, certain unavoidable situations will be considered at my discretion.

In return we will try not to cancel any lessons. If we do, we will ensure that we give you at least the same notice and will attempt to fit you in elsewhere that week. Obviously, we may be unable to avoid cancelling if technical issues occur with the car for example.

Driving Tests

Unfortunately, no guarantees can be given that you will pass your test first time. We can guarantee that we will teach you to test standard or better before you go for your test as long as you listen to our advice. However, on the day it only takes one serious mistake. That part is up to you!

No responsibility can be taken for tests cancelled by the DSA due to adverse weather or any other reason. Nor can we take responsibility for you losing your documentation or failing an eyesight test. We will take responsibility if the test is cancelled due to the condition of my car.

Lesson Availability

Lessons are on a first come first served basis. We will try to accommodate you at the same time every week or at different times, whichever you prefer. However, when some people work shifts and other work set hours and people have other plans we’re sure you can understand it is hard to keep everyone happy 100% of the time but we do try.

In addition, driving tests must take priority when arranging lesson times so as not to hold up that big day for anyone. The DSA may only have certain times available for test. This a policy which you will all benefit from one day.

Requirements

You must be 17 years old and hold a provisional licence (full licence for Motorway/Pass Plus/Refresher) before you can take L-plate lessons