As more and more people are taking to the roads, driving practices and principles have had to change to keep up with the times.  Over the last ten years alone everything from the speed limit, to the volume of traffic, to road signs, has had to change to keep up to date.  The classroom and driving instruction people take in order to get their driver’s license has even changed to incorporate the increased flow of traffic and what could be perceived as potentially hazardous driving conditions.

Any citizen wanting to get their driver’s license should make sure the driving school they are interested in using follows an approved syllabus and tests what the student has learned.  This instruction should cover eighteen different areas of learning that are required and will show that learners can handle themselves in each area before being allowed to take the practical test.

Today student drivers need to pass not only the written test and practical driving test, but they also have to pass what is known as a video-clip hazard perception test.  The student sits at a computer screen as if they were actually driving the automobile.  They are presented with fifteen hazards that they must identify, one per clip, with the exception of one clip which will have two hazards.  If the student passes all three of their tests, they will be rewarded with the issuance of a driver’s license and afforded the privileges of being able to drive an automobile without needing to be accompanied by another adult.

There is absolutely no substitute for getting driving experience with your Bill Plant Driving Instructor, but there are modern aids in the form of CD’s available through the Bill Plant School of Driving online shop.

The Driving Test Success practical pc CD ROM will give you the confidence to become a safe driver and it will enable you to practice, revise and refresh the essential driving skills taught to you by your Bill Plant Driving Instructor.  With this tool you will be able, through the virtual 3D car, be able to practice, under instruction, the many vital driving routines on your PC all in your own time at leisure. Using the step by step guide you can prepare for your test using professional advice, safe driving practices and techniques. This CD ROM is one of many others that can be found at the online shop, helping you become a better safer driver.

Be prepared for the cost of your driving test to go up in April. All parts of the driving test will be affected. So the theory test will rise by £1.50 and then be £30.00 and practical driving test will go up to £56.50 an increase of £8.00.

Those looking to pass their motorcycle test will be the most affected, this will rise from £60.00 to £80.00 in September this year.

The DSA have confirmed the price rises and said that they as a driving standards agency have costs that they need to cover when they provide driving and motorcycle tests to learner drivers in the UK.

Bill Plant driving instructors will tell you the best time you should apply for your driving test practical after you have passed the theory test. A period of at least 2 weeks will elapse until you receive your test date.

Your driving instructor will of course help you with your driving test application should you need it.

Things to know about the Practical Driving Test

• The driving test itself will take approximately 45 minutes and be conducted locally by your DSA examiner.

• Town driving will be focused on and take up most of the test

• There may be a variation in routes which will involve both single and dual carriageway driving

• The driving examiner will take you out of 30mph limit areas

• The driving examiner will ask if you can read a car number plate at a certain distance just after you leave the test centre

• You will be asked 2 questions about car maintenance and safety before getting into the car which you will be taking your driving test in

On your driving test day you will need certain documentation with you, such as your test appointment card, some form of photo ID and of course your driving licence.