Alpha 1 Driving School Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) about
learning how to drive

This page is under constant update; if you have a question or a driving test tip, not included here, let Alpha1 Driving School know, and we will be happy to answer it for you, whether you take driving lessons with our driving school or not.

• Can I learn how to drive before I am 17?
  • You cannot legally drive a motor car on a road until your 17th birthday (unless you are a disabled person claiming: 'Disability Living Allowance' at the higher rate, including the mobility component, who can learn how to drive at 16). You can however learn how to drive on private property. This will include a private car park (with the permission of the owner), but beware, most car parks require valid insurance.
    At Alpha1 Driving School , the first session, that normally lasts about an hour and a half, is 'off road' in a private car park. This you can do before your 17th birthday, ready to start learning how to drive on the road as soon as you are old enough.
• Can I take a Theory driving test before I am 17?
  • No, you cannot book a driving Theory Test for a date before your 17th birthday. If you are in a rush, you may book it to coincide with your birthday though! (This answer precludes the people mentioned above who can learn how to drive at 16).
• Should I wait until I start driving lessons before I study/take my theory driving test?
  • There is no reason not to start preparing for your theory driving test before you start driving lessons. You will find the information you obtain during your driving lessons helpful in passing the theory driving test. Your driving instructor, during verbal briefings, should indicate when part of a driving lesson briefing, is relevant to the theory driving test.
    At Alpha1 Driving School, we brief you fully on both the theory questions and the hazard perception parts of the theory driving test. We recommend that you use Focus Theory Driving Test Software (you can get this at a discount from Alpha1 Driving School) and the online (always up-to-date) Highway Code that is free to use. You do not have to buy the very expensive books some driving schools recommend. More details of how Alpha1 Driving School suggests you prepare for the Theory Driving Test.

• When can I apply for a provisional driving licence?
  • You can apply for a provisional driving licence 3 months before your 17th birthday (unless it is for a moped etc or a disabled driver as mentioned above). .
• How do I apply for a provisional driving licence?
  • You should apply directly to DVLA for your provisional driving licence. Some websites look like the official site but, if you apply for your driving licence there, will charge you extra for your application. The provisional driving licence should cost you no more than £50. This fee covers the provisional licence, and also the conversion to the full driving licence, once you have passed the practical driving test.
    If you use the DVLA link in the Alpha1 Driving School site, it will avoid this expensive mistake.
    Please note: the driving licence consists of two parts: the plastic identity card and the paper counterpart. Please do not throw away the paper part as this will be need for when you start your driving lessons and when you take theory and practical driving tests.

• How should I choose a driving school?
  • FACT: The larger driving schools will take any instructor who pays them a franchise fee. So, choosing a driving school first, and then just accepting any instructor they send you, is not a good idea. If you go for one of the large local or national driving schools, ask searching questions of the driving instructor you are allocated.
    Alpha1 Driving School suggests you choose a driving school that promises you 6 things:
    1) a fair price, be it as a driving lesson hourly rate, or as a driving course,
    2) a driving instructor who has a good practical driving test pass rate
    3) a driving instructor with a good 'first-time' practical driving test pass rate
    4) a driving instructor that has the fewest hours of driving instruction to test
    5) a reliability guarantee for their driving instructors
    6) a good personal reputation for their driving instructors
    If the driving school does not keep these statistics, it is likely their performance will be poor, so their pupils will pay more to pass driving tests.

• What questions should I ask when choosing a driving school?
  • The questions Alpha1 Driving School advises you to ask a prospective driving school are these:
    What is your driving school hourly rate?
    How long are your driving lessons? (full 60 minute driving lessons?)
    What is your average driving test pass rate (last 12 months?)
    What is your average first-time driving test pass rate (last past 12 months?)
    What is the average driving lessons to test for your driving school (last past 12 months?)
    What complaints made against your driving instructors (last 12 months?)
    What reliability guarantee do you offer?
    
    Make sure you write down the answers that each drive school gives, so that you can make a proper comparison.
    Alpha1 Driving School only gives 60 minute driving lessons, and for hourly rates click here
    Over the past 12 months the Alpha1 Driving School average driving test pass rate is: