As a first time driver, getting everything sorted even before you get behind the wheel can be a bit of a challenge.  At DriveTech we like to make things easy for provisional and experienced drivers, so here are some helpful hints to get you started and give you a driving Advantage.

Get a Licence
You can’t even think about riding a moped, a motorcycle or driving a car without a licence!  To learn to drive you need a provisional licence which is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). 

The easiest way to apply for a provisional licence is online and it takes about three weeks to receive your licence after they have received your application.  You’ll receive two parts to your licence – a photo card and a paper section.  You MUST keep the paper section safely as you will need this in the future – it’s not just a

bit of admin.

Do some reading!
There’s plenty of stuff to read to help you prepare for your first few outings on the road.  You’ll also need to practice ahead of your theory test which you take before the practical driving test. The most important book you’ll need is the Highway Code which you can now download.

You can’t replace face-to-face coaching, especially from our highly experienced DriveTech Advantage Trainers but that shouldn’t stop you doing some extra reading.  The Driving Standards Agency is a good place to start.  

Get insured!
If you’re learning to drive with DriveTech Advantage, our trainers will turn up for your lesson in one of our body-styled Vauxhall Corsas which will be fully insured for you to drive.  But you’re going to want to practice between lessons and that will mean using someone else’s car.  Whatever the car, you MUST be properly insured to drive it.

The best type of motor insurance is fully comprehensive (“fully comp” for short) which means that your car is protected for damage, fire and theft – as well as other people’s if you’re involved in a crash. 

The  absolute minimum insurance third party – which means that if you have a crash involving another car or person, at least your insurance will cover injury to them and damage to their car. 

We know that learner driver and new driver insurance is scarily expensive, which is why DriveTech is committed to helping drive down insurance costs by improving new driver training.

Get professional help!
Well we would say this wouldn’t we!  But it’s true.  We’ve said it loads of times in this website, but professional driver training is essential to get you through your driving test safely.  Everybody thinks they’re a good driver; but whether it’s your mum, dad, guardian, brother, sister or best mate - unless they’re Lewis Hamilton or a qualified driving instructor (ADI) themselves – they won’t have the experience or skills to teach you how to pass your test and drive safely.

DriveTech Advantage Trainers are several grades above most average driving instructors. The Advantage learner driver package delivers enhanced driving skills from day one that most average driving schools are unlikely to show you at any time before or after your test, or at considerable extra cost.

Get tested!
Before you can drive legally on your own in the UK, you have to pass two driving tests. These are:

• The theory test – which is a computer-based test taken using a touch-screen computer at an accredited test centre. The test is in two parts – multiple choice questions and a hazard perception test. The Directgov website has full details about the theory test and you can even book online
• The practical test - Once you’ve passed your theory test you are allowed to book your practical.  This is the in-car test where you will demonstrate your practical skills behind the wheel. Again, the Directgov website can give you more detailed information about the practical test and the Driving Standards Agency offers online booking.

Not everybody passes their test first time – for the average learner driver it often takes a couple of goes, sometimes even more.  DriveTech Advantage are confident that the quality of our training will help you pass first time. 

 If you still have some questions, why not click here and one of our DriveTech Advantage advisors will call you back