So you have started learning to drive (with Licence2Drive!), and the time has come to book your theory test. You obviously can’t take the practical test without passing the theory test first, so it is important to pass it quickly.

The information you learn is designed to make you a safer driver in the long term, so it is essential to give it your all. Plus it costs money, so the faster you pass, the cheaper it will be.

There are a couple of things you can do to help you take theory test with confidence. The first one being revise.

REVISION, REVISION, REVISION

We can honestly not tell you this enough. You may be a confident student when it comes to the practical side of driving but if you have not prepared for the theory test, it is unlikely that you will pass first time.

You will need to achieve a pass mark of 43 out of 50 in the multiple choice part of the test. That is 50 questions out of a possible 1000, so it pays to do as many practice tests as possible.

There are lots of apps you can download to your mobile, so regardless of where you are you can sneak another practice test! Go back and review the ones you got wrong, and answer them again and again until they stick.

When you book with Licence2Drive, you will receive free access to Theory Test Pro – saving you the cost of paying for other revision materials – so you will be able to take multiple tests featuring the official DSA (Driving Standards Agency) questions.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Once you have completed the multiple choice part of the theory test, you will move on to the hazard perception test. A total of 14 clips will play and you will be asked to click when you see a hazard developing. The earlier the click the higher you score out of five.

To pass this part of the test, a score of 44 out of 75 will have to be achieved. Again, practice makes perfect!

The Theory Test Pro will also enable you to give a range of hazard perception clips a go. Keep going back to them repeatedly and make sure you are aware of what is going on around you. Preparation is key.

BE PREPARED

If you have revised lots, and practiced your hazard perception tests, you should be able to walk into the test centre full of confidence. However, it would not be unusual if the nerves creeped in a little bit. We are all human after all!

If you have prepared, believe in yourself. Take some deep breaths, and make sure you get a good night of sleep before you head off for your test.

You will be told whether you have passed or failed almost immediately after you have completed the theory test. Once you have passed, you can then work with your instructor on getting ready for the practical side of the test.

BUT WHAT IF I HAVE FAILED?

Don’t panic. You will need to wait a few days before you are able to book it again, but then you can start revising and practicing again.

There is no limit on how many times you can take it, but the longer you take to pass the theory test, the longer it will take until you get to book in for your practical test.

Your instructor will be able to give you any assistance and support if you need it.

You can book your theory test here.

GOOD LUCK!

You’ve made the decision to learn to drive but before you start those lessons, there is another decision you have to make. Should you learn with gears or in an automatic? Knowing which way you want to go will also help you find the right instructor.

If you are unsure which way to go, our instructors have pulled together some points to consider.

1. Automatic might not be the easy option you think it is

OK, so we all want to pass out driving test as quickly as possible. The freedom of the open road is waiting for you, so who wants to mess about learning gears?

We will admit that synchronizing the clutch and gears can present a challenge to many learners, and a fear of stalling can see many turn to learning to drive in an automatic. However, if you only learn in an automatic, you can only drive an automatic car.

Down the line, once you become more comfortable in your driving abilities, you could find yourself stuck. Putting a little bit more effort in now will make things easier in the future.

2. Learning in an automatic is not necessarily cheaper

Again, opting to learn in an automatic may be simpler, and you may think it will be faster to learn. Taking less time to learn and pass your test could seem like a cost effective solution but automatic lessons generally cost more than manual.

This slightly higher price will add up so if cost is a driving factor in your choice, then make sure you do the sums. You don’t want to be caught be surprised when the bills roll in.

3. Manuals are better in snow and ice

We live in a country where the weather is not always on our side, so when it comes to the gears vs automatic debate, the potential for having to drive in bad conditions should be high in your considerations.

When driving on slippery surfaces like snow and ice, manuals allow you full control of the gears through clutch control – reducing the risk of a skid. Maximum control in what could be dangerous conditions is a big advantage.

4. Fuel economy is better with gears

This does depend a little on your driving style! However, manuals do tend to get about 1-3 MPG more than automatics. Saving fuel saves money and the environment, and if this is important to you, then learning to drive in a manual is the way to go.

5. Nervous drivers may prefer automatics

We know some learners could be battling the nerves, which threaten to derail their driving lessons (link to nervous driving blog). Those who cannot cope with too many things to think about, and need more time to concentrate on steering, road signs and directions, and what is going on around them, could find learning in an automatic more beneficial.

However, don’t use nerves as an excuse and hold you back from learning to drive with gears! Once you get a hold of your nerves and get comfortable with them, you will realise that gears are not so scary after all.

If you are still not sure what type is right for you, get in touch with Licence 2 Drive and let one of our friendly, experienced instructors help you decide.