Britpick Question for A Sky Without Stars

[amberfocus]

What are the laws regarding an adult learning how to drive a car over there?  Do they have to take classes or is it like here where you get a permit and anyone can teach you as long as they've had five years of driving experience?  I'm thinking about having Jonathon give Rose driving lessons.  I know it's an AU London and I can technically do what I want, but I'd like it to be close to the real thing if possible.  Thanks in advance.

Comments

[taliah-rose.livejournal.com]

It sounds pretty similar here in Engalnd. You have to have a provisional licence before you can start learning and you have to have been driving for at least 3 years AND be over 21 to teach somebody.

Most people have some professional lessons as well as lessons with a relative or friend but it is not a legal requirement. You also have to pass a theory test before you can take your practical test but I don't know much about that because there was no such thing when I passed my test!

Hope this helps!

ps, I am actaully teaching my best mate the basics of driving in preparation for her taking professional lesssons in the new year and it's been really good fun, with many comedy moments. I can just imagine Jonathon teaching Rose. You have to be very patient and not get stressed and remember to use a calm but firm voice. Not always easy when they are driving in the middle of the road and then say things like 'how do you stop again?!'

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. That's really what I needed to know.

[hermya.livejournal.com]

In relation the the theory test you have to get 39 out of 45 to pass and there is a hazard perception test that you have to pass as well as that on which you have to get 67 out of 100 to pass. For the hazard perception test you sit in front a computer and you view a video clip in which you are in the driving point of view. You then click the hazards with the mouse. Click too much and you get zero for the clip, there are 15 hazards in every clip. Theory test is multiple choice out of four answers and it takes place on the same day as your hazard perception test.

In order to take said tests (including the practical), you need to go to a DSA centre after you have booked it online. You give your name to the person behind the desk and she directs you to a room full of computers. At the end of it, you go to the receptionist who gives you a print out that tells you if you have passed or not. You are not allowed to talk to the receptionist about the test. You also have to pay £35 for the honour.

Practical test is 45min long with three show me tell me questions at the start. These questions range from 'tell me the minimum thread depth of a tyre to be legal on the roads' or 'show me how to check the oil' in which case you would pull the bonnet up of the car. My instrutor told me to do a cock pit drill before setting off in the car, e.g rainbow check (mirrors, blind spots) before moving off. If you get 15 minors on a test you fail, if you get 1 major you fail.

Also 'mirror, signal, manovere' is the phrase that all instrutors use.

Also to get a provisonal you send a cheque for £45 off to the DVLA at Swansea along with a piccy and a filled in application form that you get from the post office and you can have a provisional from the age of 17. Most people also get the post office to check their licence application form so they don't have to send off their passport in the post. This costs £4.

Also you book tests/theory tests on the internet.

I hope this helps, I only passed my test a couple of months ago so this is all still quite fresh.

Also Merry Christmas, thats pretty much all I popped over to say to you anyway!!!

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

That'll be very helpful! Thanks.