To become a qualified driver, British citizens have to firstly purchase a Provisional Driving Licence (Forms available at Post Offices or visit http://direct.gov.uk/motoring for more information.)

They must then qualify by passing a Theory Test (in 2 parts taken at the same sitting) and then a Practical Test (Including an eyesight check, some reversing and a mixture of forward driving over a 30-50 minute period)

 

Foriegn Nationals who already hold a full licence from another country should check if they will be required to become provisional licence holders and go through the UK driving test procedure or they may be entitled to exchange their old country's licence for a UK FULL licence.

EG: Canadians and Australians can swap their licences for UK licences. Many European countries share the EC / UK licence that we have, whilst USA licence holders can only drive for up to a year in the UK before having to pass the UK driving tests.

 

 

The Theory Test costs £31. You can book it easily and safely by visiting the directgov section relating to the DSA website - http://direct.gov.uk/booktheorytest

However, some clever people have created a test booking website and for only £51 they can book the test for you. It is no easier and no safer than dealing direct with the DSA, but costs around £20 more. Why would you do this?

no idea!!

Please book direct and spend the money you save on valuable lessons or a good book and DVD to help you pass the Theory Test.

The Theory test is a 2 part test comprising of 50 questions (MCQ) with multiple choice answers provided and a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) in which you will watch 14 clips of video on a computer screen and click whenever a hazardous situation apears to be about to develop. You will take these tests in a local office and not at a practical test centre. For example, in Sheffield, the Theory test takes place in Orchard House. This building is entered from Leopold Street near to the entrance of the Orchard Square shopping centre. (The corner of Fargate is to the right of the entrance)

NEW! We have teamed up with E Driving Solutions to provide FREE access to a website which can help you with both the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) and the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

To access this website

 

free of charge, please email us from the "Contact Us" page of the JDM website and request a password. Please tell us WHO your JDM instructor is..

 

For further study for your theory test, we can help you by lending you the JDM CD-ROM and giving you mock MCQ sheets for homework. We strongly recommend you begin with a highway code and then use either a book, DVD or CD-ROM to learn the answers and reasoning behind the questions.

You can learn for the theory test by using any of these weblinks and subscribing:

 

 

There are many other online Theory Test Websites and apart from just searching the web, you could try clicking the link below:

 

 

Your 2 stage Theory Test will cost £31.00. Both parts must be passed at the same sitting or both will have to be retaken. YOU CANNOT BOOK a practical test until you have passed the Theory.

 

 

 

 

PLEASE CONFIRM INTERNET BOOKINGS BEFORE LOGGING OUT - IE: Press confirm and please print out the full details and take the print out to the test centre.

 

 

 

TYPE this in to your browser-

 

  

Your driving instructor has the expertise to prepare you and advise you for your practical test. After passing your theory tests and reaching the required standard, you will book a practical test. You will have a choice of test centres, so follow your instructors advice. For example, in Sheffield we have two DTC (Driving Test Centres) Parkway* (Acres Hill Lane) and Middlewood (Winn Gardens). One is obviously handier for people in the East and the other ideal for those in the North West of the city. Candidates living in between will be advised based on factors as simple as the instructors personal preference and the test centre with likely routes most suitable for YOUR ability as well as comparitive lengths of waiting list etc

Your practical test will cost £62.00 (Mon-Fri before 4pm) and £74.00 for evening or weekends. This is paid in advance.

Your test is taken in the instructors car unless you choose to take your own car. On the day, you will need to pay your instructor for his time and use of car. Usually this is two hours, to include pick up one hour before the test, practice and final prep and then arrival at the DTC. You then use the car for your test and then the instructor takes you home afterwards.

 

 

Test routes at Parkway are similar to those used at Handsworth, so candidates have not had to worry about wholesale changes in preparing for their test.

However, reversing in to a parking bay IS a feature of the new test centre.

 

My thanks to Mrs Pope of Mosborough for providing the picture of her son, Andrew (above) and me, after his test on the 18th Feb, 2009.