As the leading Colchester driving school, we know what it takes to pass a driving test. If you’ve been wondering how long it will take you to obtain your licence, then here is everything that you need to know.
Learning to drive
Learning to drive is an exciting process, and as you feel yourself growing more confident behind the wheel, you may find yourself wondering how long it will be before you can take your test. In fact, it’s something that our driving instructors are asked all the time by their pupils! It’s a hard question to answer, as learner drivers vary massively when it comes to how quickly they get to grips with the car.
How many driving lessons do I need?
The minimum number of lessons before a driving test will depend on the individual. The average learner needs 45 hours of practical driving lessons, in addition to 20 hours of ‘private’ practice to pass the driving test.
However, this figure is just an average, and you shouldn’t feel too much pressure to learn in that amount of time. Some people take much less time before they are ready for their driving test, while others need many more hours to get to that point.
It’s hard not to compare yourself to others, particularly if a number of your friends are learning to drive at the same time. It’s not a contest though! The most important thing is that you take your practical driving test when you are ready. Your instructor will be able to recognise when you’ve progressed well enough – but you’ll be able to feel it too.
Is there a minimum number of driving lessons to take?
There’s no minimum number of driving lessons you have to take before your test. As we said before, some people learn quicker than the average learner driver, while some need more support to bring them up to a test-ready standard. In fact, a set minimum could put learner drivers under undue pressure. The official word from the DVSA is that ‘there is no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practice driving.’
It’s easy to feel impatient while you are learning to drive. Try not to think of your lessons as a set of hurdles you have to overcome in order to obtain your licence. Every single hour you spend in the car is another hour of valuable experience, which will make you a much better driver in the long run. With our experienced instructors on hand to offer sound advice and practical demonstrations, you really will learn so much.
Can I learn to drive in one month?
The answer is yes, if you take the right approach with your lessons. If you do need to obtain your driving licence quickly or just really can’t wait to get on the road, then you may benefit from an intensive driving course. Chances are, you’ve heard of these before. You’ll spend lots of time in the car over a set amount of time, for instance a week. When you learn with us, we will first conduct a 2-hour assessment to see what your existing skill level is. By doing this, your instructor will be able to recommend how many hours in the car you will need.
An intensive course can feel a little like jumping in at the deep end – but you’ll be given all the support you need. A lot of people say that learning to drive so quickly doesn’t give them time to be nervous, so they go into their test with more confidence and a clearer head.
Learning with us
One of the benefits of learning to drive with Nayland Driving School is that you will have the same instructor from your very first lesson all the way through to your test. You’ll be able to develop a real rapport with them, and you will feel safe and comfortable in the car right away. You’ll feel able to ask them questions, and they in turn will be able to figure out what kind of support you need as you learn to drive.
Having the same driving instructor lesson after lesson means that they will be able to keep track of your progress that much easier. They will be able to spot if you are making the same mistakes, and they will help you to iron those out before you take your test. They’ll be able to recognise when you are ready for your test much sooner too, and they will devise a plan with you to best prepare for the big day.
Contact us today
We have a great first time pass rate and provide tailored tuition for learner drivers across the south east. If you want to ditch your L-plates and get out onto the road, then why not get in touch with us today? We’ll be happy to answer any questions that you have!
