We understand that new pupils often have many questions, do not be afraid to ask - we are here to help. Below you will find the common questions we encounter - if you have any more questions which are not listed here, please feel free to call us on 028 7776 2113 or 078 4310 0590, or e-mail us at info@robinmcdonald.co.uk.
Learning to Drive with A+ - F.A.Q.
You can apply for your provisional driving licence up to 3 months before your 17th birthday (16 if you are registered disabled). You can apply using the relevant form from the Post Office, or apply online.
Yes, as long as you have a valid UK provisional driving licence, then you can take lessons anytime from your 17th birthday.
Yes. We always aim to book your first lesson to give you time to drive for the first time and arrange a location that is suitable depending on where you are located.
On your first driving lesson (whether you have driven before or not) you need to bring both parts of your provisional driving licence and payment for the lesson (unless already pre-paid). Please also bring along any glasses/contact lenses if you need to wear them, and sensible footwear.
Driving Lessons can be booked for 1 hour, 1.5 Hour or 2 Hour - it`s entirely up to you. We can even do 3 hour lessons, although these would be more suited to an A+ Intensive Driving Course.
We will teach you to drive properly, safely and competently on our complex, modern road systems. On average the DSA recommends around 45 hours with a qualified driving instructor, as well as additional private practice. This is, however, an average and you may well require fewer lessons than this or even a few more to get to the required driving test standard. There are various factors that come into this, mainly how frequent you take driving lessons as the longer gaps there are between lessons, the longer it will take you. Your driving instructor will assess your progress and advise you when to book your driving test.
At A+ Driving Academy we have developed our own pupil progress logs, which you need to bring to every lesson. This tracks your progress for each area of your driving form being `introduced` to a subject through to becoming `Independent/Test Standard` in each area. This helps both yourself and your instructor track your progress and work on the areas that need improving. Your driving instructor will advise you when to book your driving test, taking into account the current waiting times for driving tests.
Yes. We have a very low turnover of instructors at A+ Driving Academy as most have been trained by our in-house instructor training company and stay with the company for many years.
Yes, you would use your instructor`s car for the test and he/she will do a lesson immediately before your test (we usually pick you up 1 hour before your test) and the instructor will accompany you to the test centre.
Your theory test is valid for 2 years from the date you pass it.
If you need to change or cancel a driving lesson that has already been booked, please contact your driving instructor directly. They will provide you with direct contact telephone numbers when you start taking lessons.
Ideally, yes but not a must. A lot depends on the period of time over which you want to pass your test and get on the road. Typically, the waiting times for the theory test is 2 weeks and for driving tests between 4 and 8 weeks. The practical driving test cannot be booked until the theory test has been passed.
You need to give at least 48 hours notice to change or cancel a driving lesson, or you may be charged by your driving instructor.
Yes, as long as you have already passed your theory test we will be happy to book driving tests for our pupils provided that you are ready for the test.
Yes. For your theory test preparation you ideally need an Official Highway Code and a Theory Test CD-Rom.