Hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Make sure that any vehicle you drive is roadworthy and properly taxed and insured.
It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career because bad habits are hard to break.
It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users.
If you want to practice your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence for three years.
As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.
Minimum age you can take a test You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid.
Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday, however you can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday.
So, if you apply for your provisional licence before you are 17 you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.
Applying for a provisional licence on line, please click on the link below.
Disability living allowance If you are receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate your provisional licence will come into effect when you are 16, but you can apply for it within three months of your 16th birthday.
Terms and Conditions
Lessons will be for a minimum of 1 hour's duration if for any reason the instructor is running late he will make a concerted effort to inform the pupil of his estimated tie of arrival. Should the delay be greater than 15 minutes this time will be adjusted either by holding to credit or extending the next suitable lesson, this will be made at the instructors own discretion.
In the event of a cancellation by the pupil at least 48 hours notice must be given, failure to do so may result in the lesson being charged at the full rate. If the instructor needs to postpone or reschedule the lesson the required 48 hours notice will be given.
Driving lessons will be conducted on a one to one basis. A record of progress will be kept by the instructor.
On the day of the test a 3 hour lesson must be booked to allow for the test itself and a warm up period. During the warm up session both the pupil and the instructor will check that all bulbs required for the 'Show me tell me' questions are working correctly. Should a bulb blow on the test every endeavour will be made by the instructor to replace the bulb in good time, in the event of replacement being unsuccessful the school will not be held liable for any test fees lost as a result.
If on the day of your test is cancelled by the DSA due to bad weather sickness or staff shortages the school will charge for test time.
Where possible lessons will be allocated for the same time every week. Constant changes in your lesson time may mean you will not be able to continue on the old time slot and will be reallocated another time and day.
We will abide by the Code of Practice below, and any complaint or dispute will be conducted under those guide lines.
We reserve the right to change or alter any of the terms and conditions without notice, but will endeavour to inform you of any changes as soon as possible.
We accept payment by cash or cheque only. Lessons must be paid for either on the day or by advanced block bookings, each block booking course must be completed within 9 months, no refund will be given after this period.
Any refunds may be subject to an administration charge.
Contacts will be accepted via the following methods.
A driving instructor who gives lessons in a motor car in return for payment must be on the 'Register of Approved Driving Instructors' (ADIs). To gain entry to the register prospective instructors need to pass a series of examinations administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). People training to qualify as ADIs who have part completed the examinations can obtain from the Agency a licence to acquire practical experience which is strictly limited to six months. Once fully qualified and on the register, ADIs are regularly tested by DSA to check their continued ability to give instruction to an acceptable standard. DSA and the driving instruction industry place great emphasis on professional standards and business ethics. The code of practice set out here has been agreed between DSA and the main bodies representing ADIs; it is a framework within which all instructors should operate.
Personal Conduct
The instructor will at all times behave in a professional manner towards clients. Clients will be treated with respect and consideration. The instructor will try to avoid physical contact with a client except in an emergency or in the normal course of greeting. Whilst reserving the right to decide against giving tuition, the instructor will not act in any way which contravenes legislation on discrimination.
Business Dealing
The instructor will safeguard and account for any moneys paid in advance by the client in respect of driving lessons, test fees or for any other purposes and will make the details available to the client on request. The instructor on or before the first lesson should provide clients with a written copy of his/her terms of business to include legal identity of the school/instructor with full address and telephone number at which the instructor or his/her representative can be contacted. The price and duration of the lessons. The price and conditions for use of a driving school car for the practical driving test. The terms under which cancellation by either party may take place.
Procedure for complaints.
The instructor should check a clients entitlement to drive the vehicle and his/her ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance on the first lesson. When presenting a client for the practical driving test the instructor should ensure that the client has all the necessary documentation to enable the client to take the test and that the vehicle is roadworthy. Instructors will advise clients when to apply for their theory and practical driving tests, taking account of local waiting times and forecast of clients' potential for achieving the driving test pass standard. The instructor will not cancel or re-arrange a driving test without the client's agreement. In the event of the instructor's decision to withhold the use of the school car for the driving test, sufficient notice should be given to the client to avoid loss of the DSA test fee. The instructor should at all times, to the best of his/her ability, endeavor to teach the client correct driving skills according to DSA's recommended syllabus.
Advertising.
The advertising of driving tuition shall be honest; claims made shall be capable of verification and comply with codes of practice set down by the Advertising Standards Authority. Advertising that refers to clients' pass rates should not be open to misinterpretation and the basis on which the calculation is made should be made clear.
Conciliation.
Complaints by clients should be made in the first instance to the driving instructor/driving school/contractor following the complaints procedure issued. Failing agreement or settlement of a dispute, reference may be made to DSA's Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors who will consider the matter and advise accordingly. Should the Registrar not be able to settle the dispute he/she may set up a panel, with representatives from the ADI industry, to consider the matter further or advise that the matter should be referred to the courts or other statutory body to be determined.
For further information or advice write to The ADI Registrar Driving Standards Agency Stanley House 56 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GU Telephone: 0115 901 2500
Hold a valid, provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
