Courses and Information
Lion Driving School has driving instructors based in,Birmingham,Berkshire,Hampshire, Hetfordshire and Surrey.
We offer single or multiple lessons as well as intensive or semi intensive courses.
We are able to offer Advanced Driving to national accreditation or less demanding Defensive driving courses which are designed to enhance the drivers hazard awarness and planning skills.
Detailed below is some very useful information
regarding the types of courses that Lion offer and information relating
to your theory and practical tests, supervising drivers, driving test
centres and much much more.
You can trust Lion with your driver training. At Lion we believe that our
students are individuals and as such come with their own set of
characteristics, comfort zones and learning abilities.
We encourage our instructors to understand and accommodate these personal
qualities as this will promote effective learning and will,
make the difference and promote "safe driving for life".
CLICK on any of the items below to learn more about them.
Overview of the learner driver course
Team Work.
At Lion we believe that one of our strengths is creating a
learning environment for our students to feel safe and
enjoy learning to drive.
Getting you to Driving Test standard is a matter of teamwork, you're not on your own!
Your instructor will play a big part in that team, making it work properly so that you can
become a successful driver. If others are going
to be involved in your training your instructor
will offer advice and
help and even set you some tasks to achieve. It's important that your friends understand what is involved in helping you and what to expect along the way.
Your instructor will also make sure that all your queries and questions
are answered. If at anytime you want to talk to your instructor just make
the call or email us.
Once you have begun your lessons, your instructor will give you frequent feedback to assess your progress.
They will also go through training records with you and give you a copy so that you can keep a track on how you are doing and discuss it with those who are helping you.
Getting your provisional Licence
Before you can doing anything you have to get yourself a Provisional Driver's Licence. This licence allows you to drive a car on a public road under supervision for the purposes of learning to drive.
So how do I get one?
You will need to go to the Post Office and ask for a Form D1, or if you prefer give us a call here at Lion and we will send you one through the post . You can apply for your Provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th birthday but you must not drive on a road until you have the licence and you are 17.
For full details on how to apply for your provisional licence including information on costs, the Post Office Checking Service and how to gain your first full licence after passing the driving test please visit www.dvla.gov.uk
If you intend to practice with relatives or friends then they MUST be over 21 and have held a FULL British licence for the type of vehicle you are driving for at least 3 years. See our Supervising drivers pages for more information.
You MUST also display RED ‘L’ plates on the front and rear of your vehicle where they can clearly be seen.
Also be certain that you are insured to drive your vehicle.
If in doubt give us a call at Lion and speak to one of our instructors. 0800 3 118 118
Choosing an Instructor
Learning to drive can be expensive!
The Driving Standards Agency recommends that a learner driver will stand the best chance of passing
their driving test having had 45 professional
lessons with plenty of private practise.
So it will pay
you to get the choice of instructor AND
Driving School right.
Tips for selecting your instructor/School.
Recommendations.
It is likely that you will know someone who has already passed their test and can recommend an instructor to you. Whilst this is a good way to select an instructor don't totally rely on it. Still be open minded. Take a few lessons before you commit to any block bookings. Remember you will have to spend a lot of time with your instructor so take time getting to know them.
Lesson Prices.
Don't be fooled into thinking that the more expensive the lesson price is the better the instruction will be! OR the cheaper the lesson is the worse it will be. Whilst price is a factor when deciding who to use judge it according to the quality of instruction you are getting.
Instructors.
Instructors that are overseen and monitored by the Driving Standards Agency must display either a Green or Pink Badge.
Green Badge : This badge is displayed by a fully qualified instructor.
Pink Badge : This badge is displayed by a trainee instructor who is in the final stages of their training but who has not yet qualified.
N.B. Both badges are issued by the DSA and although a Trainee has not fully qualified they do have to satisfy the DSA that a high standard of instruction has been achieved before a Pink Badge is issued.
Choice of car
Try not to select a school car that is too big and will constantly challenge your confidence, or too small so that you are so uncomfortable it's difficult to control the car. All round vision is important when it comes to you manoeuvres, you will need to a clear view of what is behind if you are going to avoid hitting it.
"Piggy Backing"
Avoid schools that "Piggy Back" This is when an instructor picks up his next student whilst on your lesson. Another student in the back adds pressure and distraction and does not promote an effective learning environment. Don't be afraid to complain if this happens to you.
These tips are not exhaustive but meant as a guide. A balanced view must be held of each when deciding to select your instructor.
Supervising Drivers
Requirements
As a supervising driver you are required to be at least 21 years old and hold a full British Licence for the category of vehicle being driven and have held that licence for at least the last three years.
You MUST also display RED ‘L’
plates on the front and rear of your vehicle where they can clearly be
seen . Also be certain that you are insured to drive your vehicle.
If in any doubt about anything give us a call at Lion and speak to one of our instructors.
0800 3 118 118
Training Vehicle
The car that you will be using to practise in must be roadworthy
and insured for the purposes that you are going to use it. If in doubt
speak to your insurance broker. Your car also has to display "L" plates to
the front and rear of your car. Be sure that are securely in place and
that they will not fall or get blown off.
Practice
It's a good idea to meet up with the driving instructor and the learner
from time to time to get constructive feed back and create "Homework"
plans . Why not take a few refresher lessons with the same instructor
yourself to see the latest methods of instruction and get a few tips on
how to handle various situations. Or maybe just go out and sit in the back
of the car whilst on lessons.
Finally
Being a supervising driver has attached to it a great responsibility.
Learners pick up attitudes and habits very easily.
It is important that if your learner is to be a safe and responsible driver then they will be looking to you to lead the way in what it means to have a responsible attitude.
Safe driving is for life, not just long enough to pass a test!
Theory and Hazard PerceptionTest (Book online)
Part one - Multiple choice questions
Test duration
For cars and motorcycles
you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of
50 but a work through practice session of 15 minutes will be given to you.
Format
"Touch Screen" answer selection. It should be noted that some questions will have more than one answer, however where this is the case the question will inform you to give more than the one answer.
Pass Mark
43/50 correct questions.
Failure
Candidates must wait at least 3 clear working days before re applying.
N.B.
The Pass Certificate lasts for Two years from the date of passing. You must pass your Practical Test within that time or a retake on both parts of the Theory will be required.
For booking your test you can call:
0870 0101 372
or go online at:
Online Booking
Part Two -Hazard Perception
After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how
the hazard perception part
works.
The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond
by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of 14
video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be
at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two
developing hazards.
To achieve a high score
you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of
its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.
You won't be able to review your answers to the
hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to
respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard
perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75.
N.B.
Remember that this is really only one test but with two parts so you must pass both the Theory, Multiple Choice and the Hazard Perception Test to pass.
Online version of The new Highway Code
Practical Test-Eyesight Test
70 years ago, on 16
March 1935, Mr J Beene became the first person to pass the newly
introduced UK driving test.
Eyesight
The Test will include an eyesight test.
(if you fail
this, your test will not continue).
The minimum LEGAL eyesight requirement for driving is that you:
MUST be a able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, with letters 79.4mm (3.1 in) high at a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet).
Number plates with a narrower font, such as the new style number plates introduced in September 2001, MUST be read from a distance of 20 metres (66 feet).
You will be asked to satisfy these MINIMUM requirements on your first lesson and also by the examiner at the beginning of your test.
If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to read the number plate that's fine. However, you must wear them during your lessons and test and then whenever you drive.
If you have had sight correction surgery you should declare this when you apply for your provisional licence.
Book your Practical Test online
The Practical Test-Driving Test
The
Driving Test is fairly straightforward and has been
designed to see if you know the Highway Code and can demonstrate that by
applying that knowledge to your driving skills and are able to drive safely.
What will the Test include?
You will be tested on your general driving and road procedure and two of three manoeuvres which will include reversing.*
The manoeuvres include,
- Reversing around a corner,
- Turning in a road
- Reverse parking.
It
is also possible that you may be asked to perform
an emergency stop.
What happens during the test?
During the driving test the
examiner will give you directions which you should follow if you make a
wrong turn don't worry carry on and the examiner will re-direct you.
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 driver 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.
Driving Test standards
All
examiners are trained to carry out the test to the
same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will
pass your driving test.
Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc
The DSA do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of all concerned. They will arrange another appointment at no extra cost, but
compensation is not payable.
Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to
check whether their test will go ahead in good time on the day and before the test
time.
If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.
