Guide to Crash Courses
For many people, the journey to getting a driving licence takes far too long. With traditional driving tuition, a learner only drives for a couple of hours per week, and it can take months before they finally pass their test. This slow pace of learning also means that much of a pupil’s time is spent refreshing what they learned in a previous lesson. The process can be expensive, long, and slow.
At PassMeFast, we do things differently. We believe that the road to your licence doesn’t have to be a long one. That’s why we specialise in intensive driving tuition. As heard on radio, this helps cut the length of your course down from months to just days. What’s more, we’re also able to beat DVSA waiting times for practical tests. No more waiting around for a test to become available – PassMeFast offer fast-track practical tests, meaning you could get on the road within weeks or even days.
Booking a Course
The first step towards getting your licence is booking a course with PassMeFast. Luckily, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book in via our website or over the phone by calling 0333 123 4949.
Our sales team will run you through the entire process, helping you make an informed decision about which course to choose. Unlike other companies, we offer a wide range of courses tailored to different levels of experience. So, no matter if you’ve never taken a driving lesson before or whether you just need that extra confidence boost before taking your test, we’ve got a course to suit you.
Did you know? All of our courses can be taken in either a manual or an automatic car. Prices may vary for automatic lessons. If you live in the Manchester area, visit our dedicated page for automatic driving lessons in Manchester.
Not sure which course is right for you? Why not take a 1 hour assessment lesson? During the assessment lesson, a PassMeFast instructor will critically and honestly assess your level of driving skill, and will advise you on the number of hours you will need. To book an assessment lesson, call us on 0333 123 4949.
Once You've Booked...
Now that you’ve booked, the process of putting together your course can begin. First, we’ll start by sending you a form to complete. This form lets you specify where and when you would like to take your test and how you would like your course to be structured. You’ll also need to input some details, such as your driving licence number and address, which we’ll need in order to book your test.
Once we’ve received your form, we’ll get to work on booking your course.
- STEP ONE If you require a theory test, then we’ll book this first. You can’t take your practical until you’ve passed your theory, so it’s vital to get this stage done. Please note that we are currently unable to provide tuition for theory tests. We recommend using Android and iOS smartphone apps as a simple and efficient way to revise on-the-go.
- STEP TWO Once you’ve passed your theory (or if you’ve already passed prior to booking), the next step is to book your practical test. Having your practical test in place means that we can ensure that your lessons are structured to take place in the days prior to your test – no gaps, no waiting around. We’re experienced at finding driving test cancellations, which means you can beat the standard test waiting times.
- STEP THREE Now that your practical test is in place, we’ll assign you a PassMeFast instructor. Our instructors are all DVSA-approved and have years of experience. They’ll offer you friendly, professional and patient tuition, and they’ll always teach one-on-one.
- STEP FOUR Your instructor will get in contact with you, and together, you’ll arrange your course hours in a way that suits you.
- STEP FIVE It’s time for your course hours to begin!
Your Driving Course
Our courses are intensive, but not inflexible. It’s up to you and your instructor to decide the right pace for your lessons. This means you have flexibility to determine the times and days when your course will take place. You can even opt for a semi-intensive course structure to get the best of both worlds.
In most cases, the instructor will be able to pick you up from your house (or other preferred location). If this is not possible, you will be notified of this in advance.
Since your test will already have been booked before you start your course hours, you will know the test centre at which your practical will take place. This means that you will be able to complete your course hours in the area around your test centre, ensuring that you have a good knowledge of the local roads and test routes.
What you learn during your lessons will vary depending on the length of your course, your previous experience, and your own personal strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Beginner drivers will learn everything from the very basics and up, including how to start, stop and steer the car. More experienced learners will learn more advanced manoeuvres and road skills. Meanwhile, pupils taking our shortest courses will perfect their skills and gain the confidence they need to pass.
Taking Your Practical Test
The final step in your journey is taking your practical test. Whilst it might seem a bit daunting, there’s no need to panic. Having just completed your course, your newly-acquired skills will be fresh in your mind, giving you the best possible chance of passing.
Still feeling some pre-test jitters? Check out our handy guide to the top 5 skills to remember during your test.
- Show and Tell: Before you get behind the wheel, you’ll be asked a couple of questions about car maintenance and safety. It’s often referred to as “show me, tell me”, because the examiner will ask you to show them where a certain feature is located, or tell them how you would perform a particular check. Make sure you brush up on what’s under your car’s bonnet so you’re prepared for whatever questions get thrown at you.
- Controlled Stop: One third of all practical tests include a controlled stop. This tests your ability to stop safely and promptly in an emergency, and will be simulated by the examiner raising their hand and saying “STOP!” This is part of the test is meant to show how you deal under pressure, so don’t panic. Keep your cool and bring the car safely to a halt.
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Know Your Manoeuvres: Since the December 2017 driving test changes, all candidates will need to perform one of the following three manoeuvres during their driving test:
- Bay parking (either driving in and reversing out or reversing in and driving out)
- Parallel parking
- Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing two car lengths and rejoining the traffic
- Take the Wheel: The next section of your practical will be the general driving section. This tests your ability to deal with different types of road and traffic conditions, and should last around 20 minutes. If possible, the examiner will try to mix up the types of roads you take to include both urban roads and higher-speed-limit roads such as dual carriageways. So before you take your test, try and ensure you get experience on a wide range of different roads. This section of the test is intended to show the examiner that you're a considerate driver who's conscious of real risks on the road, so it's important to stay aware of your surroundings, and show consideration for other road users and pedestrians.
- Going it Alone: The independent driving section of the driving test was introduced in 2010, making it one of the newer parts of the driving test. Further changes came in December 2017, when sat navs were introduced. Now, 80% of learners will take their driving test with a sat nav, with the remaining fifth following traffic signs to get to a specific destination. Don't worry if you miss a certain sign or instruction, though—as long as you don't commit any faults, you won't be penalised for taking a wrong turn. It's also perfectly acceptable to ask the examiner for clarification if you're unsure of what to do.
Most importantly—don’t worry! The practical test is your chance to shine and show off everything you’ve learned during your PassMeFast course. Follow your instructor’s guidance, plus our top tips, and you’ll soon be able to get rid of your L plates for good!
What Happens If I Fail?
The first thing to remember is that you’re not alone. In fact, the average pass rate for practical tests is just 47%. It’s normal to fail your test, especially if it’s your first time, and you’ll gain vital feedback which will help make sure that next time, you’ll get it right. So don’t be discouraged—failing your test is just a bump in the road, not a dead end.
PassMeFast can help secure a new practical test for you as soon as two weeks later. We can also offer you additional tuition, to make sure you’re feeling test-ready and to practice your skills. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing off your failure and passing in style.
Welcome to Driving!
That’s it! Pink licence in hand, you’re now ready to hit the road! So what are you waiting for? Get out there!
Still got questions? Why not check out our FAQs—or visit the PassMeFast blog for helpful articles and tips? You can also contact us via our website, or call us on 0333 123 4949 any time between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Friday—we’re happy to help!
