“I felt really confident for my test and it was perfect timing. I didn’t feel nervous at all.” Luca

“I was so grateful for all the efforts Anne made during the lessons and on the day of the test. She made sure I was mentally and physically ready.” Chen

The big question…

“When will I be ready for my test?”

Everyone learns at a different pace and finds different things difficult. It takes time to become a ‘safe driver for life’ and some need more time than others. On average, learners who pass their test have had 53 hours of professional training, combined with 22 hours of private practise. You need to be capable of driving consistently, without help or prompting, to assessment Level 5 in the ‘Driver’s Record’ before you take the Practical Test. You need to have covered all the key skills and had plenty of practice in varying traffic conditions, on different types of road and under a wide range of weather conditions. When you have completed/nearly completed the Driver’s Record to Level 5, either myself or a driving instructor friend of mine (Andrew Di Georgio) will conduct a strict mock test with you. That helps to highlight areas to work on and ensures you are ready to apply for a test date. You also need to have passed the Theory Test before you can apply for the Practical Test.

How?

We need to agree together when you are ready to book your test. You may feel ready but I might not think you are. You will be using my car for your test so I need to be confident that you are capable of driving it safely and independently for around 40 minutes. Sometimes I might think a pupil is ready for their test, but psychologically they may not feel up to trying it yet. When we have both agreed that you are physically and mentally ready to take the test, we will book the earliest date that is convenient to both of us.

The DSA says, “Younger learners often feel under pressure from friends and parents to get through the test as quickly as possible. You shouldn’t feel pressurized into applying for a test before you are ready. You will be wasting your time and money.”

A Practical Test is costly, so there is no point having one until we are both confident you can pass. The DVSA test fee is £62 for weekdays (£75 for evenings, weekends or Bank Holidays) and my fee is £120. (That’s for three hours which includes pupil pick-up, a lesson beforehand, the test itself and hire of the car, pupil debrief with the examiner and pupil drop-off). I can sit in the back of the car during your test. This is useful because if you fail I can see where you went wrong and help you to address the problem for future.

Where?

York is the only test centre I use. If you can drive confidently around the busy city of York with its dual carriage ways, one-way systems and roundabouts, then you can tackle anything!

York’s Test Centre is at Arabesque House on Monks Cross (near Sainsburys).

Can my test be cancelled due to the weather?

Yes, your test can be cancelled at short notice for a number of reasons. During the bad winter of 2018-19, I had five driving tests cancelled, with reasons cited as… “examiner unavailable”, “ice on side-roads”, “freezing fog” and “fog”. This is obviously very frustrating and upsetting for all concerned (the pupil, parents and not forgetting me!) but it is, I’m afraid, unavoidable at times. The DVSA automatically book you into the next available test slot, but this is usually around six weeks further on, which can cause issues with affording more lessons, or the new date may not be convenient. This then means you have to keep logging on to the bookings site to keep checking for earlier dates that may become available at short notice.

Cancellations obviously happen more often during the winter months, so please be prepared for this happening if you have a winter test date! The time of your test can also be changed by the DVSA, so please keep checking emails coming up to your test.

Will you take me on all the test routes?

Yes. From the start of your lessons we are working in test route areas. Once we have covered all the skills we will practise your independent driving skills using the Sat Nav and we will drive most of the routes. The areas of York used for tests are anywhere from the Haxby Road area heading eastwards right round to Hull Road. They include the Vangarde area, Monks Cross, Haxby, Towthorpe, New Earswick, Huntington, Heworth, Tang Hall, Osbaldwick. You may get a section of the A64 between the Hopgrove roundabout and Grimston Bar, or a section from Hopgrove heading east to Scarborough. You might end up on the A1237 ring road as well as any number of residential streets. You might be asked to drive on country lanes heading out past Towthorpe or drive round part of York’s busy inner ring road. The potential combination of routes is enormous. I use these main areas when planning our lessons to try to increase your familiarity of York in general.

Is it harder to pass in York than somewhere like Malton or Northallerton?

If you look at the statistics, then the answer would have to be yes. The pass rate for York sits around only 50%. So, a one in two chance. In Northallerton it sits closer to 60%. And in Malton it’s a massive 70%! However, we can all make errors when we’re nervous, no matter where we are. I believe that you are just as likely to pass in York as anywhere else, as long as you concentrate and stay focused. Also, if you manage to pass your test in York, then surely you can drive anywhere and your lifetime of driving is off to a flying start. Yes, York can be tricky to navigate for a learner driver and it may take longer to get you to feel test-ready than somewhere like Malton. York has some tricky spots, but if you drive on the day just as you’ve been taught then all should be well.

“Hi Mrs D, thank you so much for everything you have done for me! I felt so ready for my test and that was all down to you. I really enjoyed learning with you and ten years down the line I’ll still always think, “the lights have been green a while”!! Jess

For more information about TEST DAY, please click the link.