Lessons Plans

Provisional Licence

Before you start your driving lessons you must be in posession of a Provisional Licence. Your Instructor will check your licence at the beginning of your first lesson as well as carrying out an eyesight check.

The fee for your 1st provisional driving licence is currently £50.00.

The Theory Test Explained

You will find it very helpful if you start studying for your Theory Test as soon as possible - either before or soon after starting to learn to drive.

The theory test is made up of 2 parts: the multiple choice and the hazard perception.

You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test.

You cannot book a practical driving test until you have passed both parts of the theory test.

DRIVING TEST SUCCESS

AT ELLES, WE RECOMMEND "DRIVING TEST SUCCESS - THEORY" AS A GREAT STUDY AID FOR YOUR THEORY TEST. IT COVERS ALL OF THE CURRENT DATABANK OF QUESTIONS FOR THE MULTIPLE CHOICE AND ALSO COVERS THE HAZARD PERCEPTION - THE PART THAT MOST CANDIDATES FIND DIFFICULT IF THEY HAVE NOT PRACTICED IT!!! IT IS AVAILABLE FROM MOST GOOD RETAILERS OR FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR - WHAT COULD BE EASIER?

Multiple Choice Section

This is delivered using a touch screen computer. A question and several answer options will appear on the screen. You select the correct answer by touching it. Some questions may require more than 1 answer. You will be asked 50 questions in 57 mins and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

Hazard Perception Section

Hazard Perception This is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on a mouse. You will be shown a series of 14 video clips. In each clip there will be at least 1 developing hazard, but 1 of the clips will feature 2.

To achieve a high score you need to respond as soon as the hazard starts to develop. The maximum score on each hazard is 5. The pass mark is 44 out of 75. At the end of the test you will be given your result by the test centre staff.

The current fee for the Theory Test is £30.00

You can practice your driving theory test online at http://www.theory-tests.co.uk/

Your Driving Lessons

Structured Learning

To enable your Instructor to structure your lessons correctly for you, we keep a Driver Record so that we can record your progress while you are learning to drive and identify strong and weak areas. You need to learn a skill and then practice it to gain experience.

Defensive Driving Warning Signs

Defensive driving is safe driving because, as we all know, thousands of people are killed or injured in road accidents every year, and in many of these the main contributing factor is driver error. This can be directly linked to the skill level of the driver, the attitude, lack of judgement, knowledge and inability to handle their vehicle.

Defensive driving is all about developing the right attitude and approach, brushing up on those general driving skills and learning about the handling characteristics of your car.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SAVES LIVES!

Responsibility, concentration, anticipation, patience and confidence all contribute towards driver attitude. It is this that influences his/her behaviour on the road.

Anticipation is the art of planning well ahead. Recognising hazards well before they develop and taking the appropriate action is a part of defensive driving. You stay in control of the situation.

Nobody can claim to be the perfect driver as there is always something new to learn.

At ELLES, we teach defensive driving to all of our pupils. This helps both our learner and more advanced drivers to handle and stay safe on the busy roads we now have to drive on.

What Will I Cover On My Lessons?

Traffic Signs

During the course of your lessons, you will learn to deal with any event you may come across during normal driving. We specifically teach the following skills:-

Controls lesson - Cockpit drill, Mirrors, Foot controls, Hand controls, Blind spots - Moving off - Stopping on the left - Approach to turn left and right - Emerging at T-junctions - Zones of vision - Emergency Stop - Braking and Skidding - Giving signals - Pedestrian crossings - Light controlled Pedestrian crossings - Crossroads - Roundabouts - Mini roundabouts - One way streets and systems - Meeting traffic (clearance and speed) - Overtaking - Turn in the road - Left reverse - Right reverse - Parallel parking - Bay Parking - Dual Carriageways - Observing Traffic Signs - Plus ANYTHING that you come across during the normal course of your lessons.

The Practical Driving Test

PRACTICAL TEST AT THE MOMENT IS RUN AS FOLLOWS:-

The Practical Driving Test lasts for approximately 40 minutes. You will first have your photo licence and counterpart checked, followed by your eyesight test. After this you will go to the car and answer a few Show Me, Tell Me questions.(See charts below). The actual driving part of the test then begins. Your examiner will give you clear and concise directions as to where he/she wants you to go and what to do. During your test you will be asked to perform 2 of the following manouvers:- a left reverse around a corner, a parallel park, a bay park, a turn in the road. You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop.

At the end of your test the examiner will let you know the result. You will pass if you have obtained less than 16 minor faults with no serious or dangerous faults.

At ELLES, although our aim is to get your full driving licence at the first attempt, we also understand that it is a very stressful event and nerves will play their part on the day. We try to minimise this effect by offering all pupils a Mock Test with another Instructor (if available) to show you what the test itself will be like and for us to see how you will react to a little added pressure. This gives us a very good idea of what areas need to be worked on before the big day to give you every chance of a successful outcome!

If the worst happens and you are not successful, don't worry........we can soon put any mistakes right and with a positive approach you will soon be a fully qualified driver!

Vehicle Safety Checks “Show me - Tell me”

After you have successfully completed the eyesight test and shown the examiner to the vehicle he or she will ask two questions, one ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault (i.e. minor fault) being recorded. The questions that are used by the examiner are as follows:

These Are The "Show Me Questions"

Q1: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil. A: Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe checking of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.

Q2: Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey. A: If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made.

Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.

Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q3: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level. A: Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Q4: Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear, make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle A: Apply footbrake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

Q5: Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only). A: Check is carried out by using the control (turn on ignition if necessary).

Q6: Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid. A: Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

Q7: Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working. A: Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine)

Q8: Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine)

These Are The "Tell Me Questions"

Q1: Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level. A: Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

Q2: Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. A: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q3: Tell me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle) A: Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle. (As this is a "Tell Me" question, there is no need to physically check the lights.)

Q4: Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked. A: Manufacturer's guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don't forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

Q5: Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road. A: No cuts and bulges, minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Q6: Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash A: The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable

Q7: Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system A: Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system

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