How learning works
From provisional licence to full licence, one step at a time.
What happens at each stage, what it costs and how long it takes. The official bits are run by the DVSA and booked on GOV.UK. We’ll help with all of them.
The route
Five stops, in this order.
Fees shown are the DVSA’s at the time of writing. Check GOV.UK before you book, as they do change.
Book your first lesson
1
Provisional licence
£34 online
Apply on GOV.UK from 15 years and 9 months old. You’ll need a passport or other ID, and it usually arrives within a week. You can drive on the road from your 17th birthday.
Tip
Book your first lesson for the week after your birthday, and keep the licence with you in the car.
2
Theory test
£23
Fifty multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception clip test at a test centre. You need the pass certificate before you can book your practical, and it lasts two years.
Tip
Start revising when you start lessons. The questions make more sense once you’ve been out on the road.
3
Lessons
From £40 an hour
Weekly or intensive, manual or automatic. We follow a written plan so nothing gets missed, and you get a short note after each lesson saying what to practise.
Tip
Practise with family between lessons if you can. Even twenty minutes to the shops helps.
4
Mock test
£62
When you’re nearly there, a different instructor takes you round a real test route and marks you the way an examiner would. Then we go through every mark together.
Tip
A mock that goes badly is still useful. Better to find out now than on the day.
5
Practical test
£62 weekday, £75 evenings and weekends
About 40 minutes with an examiner: an eyesight check, two vehicle safety questions, a spell of independent driving and one manoeuvre. We’ll help you book it early.
Tip
Take the test in our car. It’s the one you know, and it has the extra mirror the examiner needs.
Nervous drivers
Lost your nerve? You’re not the first.
About a third of the people we teach have had a bad experience, a long break or a scare. Refresher lessons start wherever you’re comfortable: a car park, a quiet estate, or the route to work you’ve been avoiding.
No test at the end
You choose the roads
Stop whenever you like
Two hours for £90
Pass stories
In their own words.
Passed first time
I was terrified of roundabouts. Jo made me do the big one by the station every week until it was boring. Passed with three minors.
Ellie, 17
Weekly lessons with Jo
Passed in March
Needed a licence for a new job and had three weeks. Hannah planned the whole thing around my test date and it worked.
Dan, 24
30-hour intensive with Hannah
Back on the road
I hadn't driven for fifteen years. Four lessons later I'm doing the school run on my own. Should have rung them years ago.
Priya, 41
Refresher lessons with Jo
Passed second time
Failed my first test on nerves. Martin did two mock tests with me and I sailed through the second one.
Tom, 19
Automatic lessons with Martin
Passed first time
Lessons straight from college, which made it so easy to fit in. Hannah's lesson notes were really useful before the test.
Grace, 18
Weekly lessons with Hannah
Pass Plus done
Did my first motorway with Martin rather than on my own. Glad I did. Saved a bit on my insurance too.
Sam, 22
Pass Plus with Martin
Questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many lessons will I need?
Everyone’s different. Most learners need somewhere between 30 and 50 hours with an instructor, plus practice if they can get it. We’ll give you an honest estimate after your first two lessons.
Can I practise in my own car?
Yes, with someone over 21 who’s held a full licence for three years, as long as you’re insured and showing L-plates. Lessons with us are always in our dual-control cars.
Do you pick up from college or work?
Yes, anywhere in the areas we cover. We can drop you somewhere different from where we picked you up, too.
What if I’m really nervous?
Tell us when you book. We’ll start on quiet roads and only move on when you’re ready. Plenty of our learners say the first ten minutes were the worst bit.
Should I learn in an automatic?
It’s quicker for most people, but an automatic pass only lets you drive automatics. If you’ll ever need to drive a manual car, learn in one.
When should I book my practical test?
Waiting times for tests can be long, so we usually suggest booking soon after you pass your theory. You can move the date later if you need more time.
Anything else? Ring 01632 960687 or email hello@kerbsidedriving.co.uk.