Getting You Prepared for Your Driving Journey...

Before you can drive on a public road or take your theory test, you will need a valid Provisional Driving Licence. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) application form (Form D1) can be obtained from your local Post Office but you can also apply online from the official ‘Gov UK’ site. Once you have your licence and are ready to start your lessons, you will need to provide proof that you have a valid licence. I’ll need to see this on 1st lesson. You can apply for your provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th Birthday but it will not be valid until you actually turn 17 so you will not be able to take lessons on a public road, or take your theory test until then. You can apply for your first British provisional driving licence online if you: Are a resident of Great Britain. Meet the minimum age requirement. Can meet the minimum eyesight requirement. Are currently not prevented from driving for any reason. Can pay by Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Electron, Delta or Solo debit or credit card. Have a valid UK passport or another form of identity. Can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years. As a photo is required for your licence the DVLA can use your passport photo if you have one. If you don’t have one, or you want to use a different one, this will need to be sent to the DVLA separately. You can find costs for all licence types here.

You may already be taking lessons or even be ready to take your practical test but you can not apply for your practical test until you have passed the theory test. The theory test is made up of two parts; a multiple choice questionnaire and a hazard perception video test. You will need to pass both parts to get your certificate. Find your local theory test centre here. Only once you have passed this can you apply to take your practical driving test. The actual theory test questions are no longer published which means that those found in revision materials of any kind will give you an idea of the questions and answers to expect but will NOT be exactly the same as those you will face during the test itself. This change was introduced to ensure you gain a better understanding of driving theory rather than simply memorising questions and answers. What's the Hazard Perception Test all about? Before you start the hazard perception part of the test, you’ll be shown a short video clip about how it works before being shown a series of video clips on a computer screen. The clips feature everyday road scenes and contain at least one developing hazard – but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. A developing hazard is something that may result in you having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction and what you need to do is identify these as early as possible to get as high a score as possible (max 5 per clip). Once your driving has reached a suitable level, you will want to get your driving test booked. The timescale for bookings can vary one month to the next depending on the number of other learners applying around the same time. You should not just go ahead and book the test before checking that our car will be available first!

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/book-your-practical-driving-test-online The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) release Category B (private car) driving test appointments several months ahead. Appointments are released on the first working day of each month. You can book driving tests on Saturdays and at certain centres on Sundays. Before you start: Depending on demand, it may take a while before you can book and take a driving test. If at first slots are not available at your preferred test centre, you can consider booking a test at another centre. Keep checking the booking system as the DVA release more slots as more resources become available and some customers cancel or change their appointments. When booking a driving test online you’ll need: driver licence number and date of birth a debit or credit card a valid email address (check your spam/ junk folders for emails)

The resource for emergency service vehicle awareness on the roads. Based on guidance contained within the Highway Code, Blue Light Aware is a resource containing short videos and animations, produced on behalf of the emergency services. Their crews rely on the help of other road users when they’re on a ‘blue light’ journey. By taking the time to watch Blue Light Aware you will better understand the needs of emergency drivers, reducing the risks you face; while contributing to a safer road environment. You may also be helping to save a life… RoSPA is a leading voice in health and safety that campaigns to reduce avoidable accidents at home, on the road, at work and at leisure. All areas of the Institute of Advanced Motorists have joined together under one trading name IAM RoadSmart. We help all road users to be the best they can be. We help develop the skills of all licence holders through our advanced courses, programmes for businesses and short sessions available to everyone. Delivering road safety campaigns since 2000. Free download: Department for transport guide detailing all of the must-know traffic signs. Free Download: The Highway Code for Northern Ireland is also called The Highway Code or the Code. It is essential reading for everyone who uses roads in Northern Ireland. Here you will find a complete pdf version of The Highway Code that you can download, as well as its individual sections.

Lessons: On your first lesson you must bring both parts of a valid driving licence. You must bring any glasses or contact lenses that you need in order to see properly. It is a legal requirement that we check your eyesight prior to teaching you to drive. Any glasses or contacts that you need must be brought every lesson. We cannot proceed with the lesson if you do not have them. Lessons are a minimum of 1 full hour in duration. If the instructor is late then the time will be added to the end of the lesson. If you are late then you lose that period of the lesson. If you do not turn up at the beginning of the lesson the instructor will wait for ten minutes before leaving. If this is not possible due to parking restrictions then the Instructor will return to see if you have arrived as often as is reasonably possible. Cancellations: THERE IS A STRICT 48HRS MINIMUM CANCELLATION POLICY. If a cancellation is received within this period, UNLESS OF COURSE COVID-19 RELATED, the full cost of the lesson will be due with no exceptions as all pupils are treated equally and fairly. If repeated cancellations occur, i.e. more than 2 times, the Instructor reserves the right to discuss whether to continue training the pupil, as successful driving lessons depend on continuity of tuition and it affects the Instructors potential income. This policy is in place to maintain this progress and helps us to run a professional business. Your Instructor will make their cancellation policy known to you on the first lesson. You will be given as much notice as possible if circumstances force your instructor to cancel a lesson. Pickup Points: Your Instructor will be pleased to start and finish your lesson from different pick up points – providing these are agreed at least one week in advance – and that both are within the usual area of work for the Instructor. Payment: All lessons must be paid for in advance unless by prior arrangement and agreement with your Instructor. Discounts are available for pre-paid lesson block bookings. If you pay for your lessons individually, then the money will be taken at the start of every lesson. Test Booking: Practical Tests should only be booked with your Instructor’s agreement first. If a test is booked without the instructors agreement – there will be no assurance that his car will be available for the test. Please consult directly with the Instructor where any doubt exists via a phone call. Ensure that the test is booked at a time where the Instructor and his car are available. Communication: All communication must be in person – not via a relative or friend. This is for both security and data protection. Therefore no changes to appointments will be accepted by text, email or answerphone message. To ensure that communication channels are in place – please ensure that your Instructor is aware of your mobile and landline numbers. Your Instructor will provide you with his mobile number on which to speak with him, (8.30am – 10pm, Monday – Sunday). Please remember to switch off your phone at the start of all lessons to prevent distraction. Holidays & Availability: Your Instructor will give you the maximum possible notice of holidays / days when he is unavailable; please ensure that you do likewise – to maintain progress. Please be sure to book your first lesson after your holiday / break in tuition to retain your place on the diary – and to maintain progress. Medication: If you are taking any medication that may affect your ability to drive – please discuss this at the earliest opportunity with your Instructor. Be aware that where a pupil presents themselves for a lesson in a condition that the Instructor believes to be unfit due to the effects of drink or drugs – the lesson will be aborted on the grounds of road safety – and the full lesson price will be due and deducted from pupils account. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Health & Safety: Please ensure that you present yourself in suitable clothing – particularly practical shoes. It is also important to attend lessons with any appropriate glasses / lenses for reasons of road safety. Your Instructor Will: (1) Provide you with driving tuition at the hourly rate agreed. (2) Recommend what are in their opinion, the most appropriate training methods and aids to help you study for your Theory and Hazard Perception Test. (3) Design a course of lessons to match your specific driving and learning needs from your first lesson right through to your practical test. (4) Provide you with on-road lessons which will last at least 1 hour weekly or such other duration as you and your Instructor will agree in advance. (5) Provide a presentable, modern, properly maintained and dual controlled car for each lesson. (6) Recommend where appropriate, advanced courses to help you develop your skills for motorway driving, driving in extreme weather conditions and the IAM & ROSPA Advanced Driving Tests. (7) Give you relevant feedback during your lesson and record your development in your progress record at the end of each lesson. (8) Monitor your progress, advise and recommend what is in their opinion, the appropriate time to book your mock Practical Test. Then once it has been agreed between you both, apply for your Practical Driving Test. (9) Provide training on a one-to-one basis with no other learner in the car. (10) Honour the full time booked for each lesson, which should include an introduction, practical training and a debrief at the end of your lesson. (11) At all times conduct themselves in a professional manner including: i. Being courteous and considerate to you. ii. Avoiding physical contact except in an emergency. iii. Not smoking during your lessons. Data Protection Act: Aim 2 Pass School of Motoring commits to fulfill its responsibilities with regard to data protection. Any information provided will be treated as confidential and handled securely. All this information will be deleted once you cease to be a pupil of Aim 2 Pass.