What skills do you actually need for your Driving Test?
The Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, takes a very close look at the standard of driving you need to be at in preparation for your Driving Test.
Even though driving opens up a new world of independence and might be very exciting for many, it also comes with a lot of responsibilities.
Driving Test Success and DVSA are working together to stress the importance of learning the skills you need to become a safe driver. You don’t practice purely to pass your test, you practice so you are a safe and competent driver for the rest of your life.
Let’s take a closer look at the skills you need:
DVSA has said that in total there are 27 skills that you need to have mastered to become a safe driver. DVSA splits these into 8 approachable groups that you and your instructor can work your way through together.
The first 4 skills fall under the group ‘basics’, and are made up of legal responsibilities, safety checks, cockpit checks and security.
To read up on each of these skills, as well as the 23 others, please click here.
Every point has a description of how you can master the skill; an incredibly useful tool to have such easy access to.
We would really recommend taking some time to read through these so you know exactly what it is that you need to do; almost like your very own checklist.
How can you make progress and put this into practice?
DVSA has introduced an incredibly simple way for how you can learn these skills best.
There are 5 levels of progress.
- Introduced
- Helped
- Prompted
- Independent
- Reflection.
Introduction: The subject is introduced and you’re able to follow the instructions given.
Helped: You are improving the skill but still need some help.
Prompted: Sometimes you will need to occasionally prompt with the select skill, especially if it is a new skill.
Independent: You deal with the skill consistently, confidently and independently.
Reflection: When you talk to your instructor, you show that you understand how things would have been different if you had done something differently. You can adapt to situations and see why perfecting the skill makes you safer and more fuel-efficient.
But how long does it take to learn these skills?
It would be impossible to say the number of lessons it would take for you to pass your test.
How many hours you need will all depend on how quickly you learn.
But, recent research does show that on average it takes people 45 hours of driving lessons with a driving instructor plus 22 hours of private practice to pass your test.
The more hours you have, the safer you will be on the roads after your test.
To see how you can keep track of your progress in your lessons, please find out more at DVSA’s ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign here.
Not only can you learn how to organise your practice, but you can also read about managing your nerves, how you can best prepare for your Practical Test, and so much more. Read here.
