PJ’s School of Motoring
501 Wigan Road
Leigh
WN7 5HN


Telephone:
01942 - 706995

Mobile:
07780 - 503796

to e-mail, click here



You'll need to read this :-


The Highway Code which is required reading to enable you to pass your driving test with PJ's School of Motoring

The Practical Driving Test


Basic Requirements


Provisional Licence
Before you learn to drive you will need to obtain a Provisional Driving Licence. You can apply for one at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) using an Application Form (Form D1) which is available from any Post Office.

Minimum Age
Currently in the UK you have to be 17 years of age to obtain a Provisional Licence to drive a car or ride a motorcycle (unless in receipt of a full disability allowance, when you can obtain a Provisional Licence at 16 years of age).

Eyesight Requirements
Before the Practical Driving Test, the examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. The distance requirement for the old style number plate (e.g. A635 WYT) is 20.5 metres and 20 metres for the new style (e.g.PJ01 SOM).



The Practical Driving Test

When you go for your Practical Test you must take:-

You should allow plenty of time, Paul will get you to the Test Centre well before your appointment time.

PAUL RECOMMENDS THAT YOU HAVE AN HOUR LESSON BEFORE YOUR TEST TO SETTLE YOU DOWN AND ENSURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN THE CAR.

Before you do any driving you'll be asked to perform an eyesight check (see above) and then be asked some vehicle safety questions known as "Show Me, Tell Me" (see below). You'll then be tested on your general driving ability, including two slow speed manoeuvring exercises.

The Practical Driving Test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout your test the examiner will be looking for evidence that you have reached an overall safe standard of driving. There will be no surprises and the examiner will not try to catch you out, he or she will be looking at your general driving skills and your ability to carry out two of the four set manoeuvres. Reversing into a parking bay, parallel parking, turning the car in the road and reversing round a corner.
You will have covered all these required skills during your course with PJ's School of Motoring and will have practiced all the manoeuvres many times.
You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass the test, but 16 or more minor faults results in a fail. However, if you commit just one serious or dangerous fault, you will have failed to reach the required standard.



Show Me, Tell Me

Here are some examples of what the examiner might ask in the "Show Me, Tell Me" part of the test.


Engine Oil
EXAMINER: "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."
YOU: Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.

Engine Coolant
EXAMINER: "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."
YOU: Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Windscreen Washer
EXAMINER: "Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level."
YOU: Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

Brake Fluid
EXAMINER: "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."
YOU: Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

Power Steering
EXAMINER: "Explain and show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."
YOU: 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.

Parking Brake
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear."
YOU: Demonstrate by applying parking brake that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

Indicators
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working."
YOU: Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators.

Brake Lights
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car."
YOU: Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help.

Brakes
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."
YOU: Carry out a slow speed rolling brake check. Ensure brakes feel "normal" not spongy or slack.

Headlights
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working."
YOU: Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), walk round vehicle.

Tyre Pressure
EXAMINER: "Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked."
YOU: 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.

Tyre Condition
EXAMINER "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."
YOU: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.



This may seem a little daunting but Paul will cover all this in your course with PJ's School of Motoring



All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.



Top ten reasons why people fail their driving test:-

Contact Paul at PJ's School of Motoring


Tel: 01942 - 706995      Mob: 07780 - 503796


or click here to e-mail