Today’s Driving Test is a lot different from Tests taken even as recent as 4 years ago. And from Oct 4th 2010 it now includes an Independent Driving Phase of 10 minutes where the Examiner observes after giving a simple route to follow i.e. “from here follow the A137 towards Maningtree”
Tests can be conducted at local test centres in Ipswich MPTC, Colchester & Clacton.
You will be required to demonstrate to an examiner that you can drive a car in today’s environment safely, and to a standard using recognised approved techniques to control the vehicle. It can be quite a challenge and daunting driving on today’s roads, especially with the high volume of traffic at times.
To meet that challenge we train you the client, in a manner which you will enjoy. We use a mixture of teaching methods, didactic, facilitative and coaching to enable you to feel free to ask questions, experiment and explore how a person drives. We teach you observational scanning techniques to improve your hazard awareness.
You develop in the techniques in a friendly and as stress free environment as possible. Specific routes and training areas are chosen depending on your needs and a briefing given of the subject to be learnt with handouts if required.
Any faults in driving techniques are identified and feedback given to you develop and improve.
Throughout the training course behaviour and attitude issues in regard to driving and interacting with other drivers can be identified and raised to a level of awareness that you can recognise and deal with issues they could create. (A good example of this is “Road Rage”)
At the end of the lesson a short debrief reminds you of your driving for that session, and a plan created to link to the next lesson. As you are unique we try at Hallwood Training Services to meet the needs, anxieties and expectations of each student. We go at the pace you want, faster or slower as you need it because people learn at different rates at different times. When learning something as complex as driving, you need the flexibility to learn at your pace!
We use a competence framework similar to NVQ’s and starts at level 1 with subject briefed and introduced all the way up to 6 where the instructor has seen a competent standard applied without any input or help from the instructor.
As you approach levels 5 & 6 throughout the whole syllabus it will be suggested that you apply for your practical Test. We will conduct Mock Tests at normal hourly rates and give the client a written report to help them understand any development points caused by any errors on test. A record of all your training is held and updated at our main office.
If you are competent in that area then that's it! You are competent and therefore ready to take a practical driving test! There is no need to delay with “extra lessons” unless you the customer want them!