FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


01. What do I need before I start?
02. How many lessons will I need?
03. Why do you recommend two hour driving lessons?
04. Can I begin my driving lesson at home and finish at school or work?
05. Can I have my driving lesson at the weekend?
06. Do you provide intensive courses?
07. Do you guarantee a pass?
08. Will I have to share the car with another pupil?
09. Can a relative or friend teach me to drive?
10. Can you help me prepare for my theory test?
11. Can you help me with hazard perception training?
12. Where do I take my theory test, and how much does it cost?
13. What are the pass marks for the theory and hazard perception tests?
14. How long do I need to wait for my theory test result?
15. When can I book my practical driving test?
16. Where do I take my practical driving test and how much does it cost?
17. In what car do I take my driving test?
18. Do I have to drive perfectly to pass my driving test?
19. What is Pass Plus?
20. Do you offer motorway lessons?
21. Do you offer refresher lessons?
22. Do you offer lessons with a female driving instructor?
23. Do you offer driving lessons in automatics?
24. Are you CRB checked?




01. What do I need before I start?

You MUST have a valid, signed, provisional driving licence. You’ll need the photocard and paper counterparts of your licence. You MUST have eyesight to the required standard i.e. you MUST be able to read a new style number plate from a distance of 20 metres in good daylight. If you need glasses or contact lenses to do this, you MUST wear them at all times when driving.

02. How many lessons will I need?

It will depend upon how fast you learn. According to DSA statistics, a typical average is 45 hours professional instruction, together with 22 hours of private practice. Regular lessons are essential. Citidrive is committed to training learner drivers to the highest standards of safety and competence, without asking you to take any more lessons than you need to demonstrate the ability to safely pass your driving test.

03. Why do you recommend two hour driving lessons?

Two hour lessons can lead to a reduction in the total number of hours being taken by up to one third compared to a single one hour lesson per week. It’s simply a more efficient use of your time. Less time is spent recapping the previous lesson and ‘warming up’ as these are necessary only once every two hours rather than once per hour.

04. Can I begin my driving lesson at home and finish at school or work?

Yes, almost certainly, subject to reasonable mileage and travel time restrictions.

05. Can I have my driving lesson at the weekend?

Weekend lessons are available, however they are very popular. Please email us for availability.

06. Do you provide intensive courses?

Not at the moment. Although we do offer semi-intensive driving courses of 6 to 8 hours per week. These tend to result in higher pass rates. Call free on 0800 043 1963 for more information or join the email newsletter.

07. Do you guarantee a pass?

No reputable driving school will 'guarantee' a pass as it is not possible to do so. Driving tests are conducted by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), an executive agency of the government, not driving schools, so if anyone offers you a 'guaranteed pass' read the small print carefully.

08. Will I have to share the car with another pupil?

No you will not. Learn to drive with Citidrive and your training routes will be selected for your individual needs, on a lesson-by-lesson basis, not according to where other pupils happen to live. Driving lessons are one-to-one, so you’ll receive the undivided attention of your instructor.

09. Can a relative or friend teach me to drive?

They must be over 21 years old and they must have held a full EC driving licence, in the category of vehicle that you are learning in, for a minimum of three years. Your instructor will be happy to offer advice on private practice.

10. Can you help me prepare for my theory test?

Yes. You’ll learn driving theory in your practical driving lessons. Feel free to ask for additional help if you need it: your instructor will be happy to help.

11. Can you help me with hazard perception training?

Yes, you will be taught real-life hazard perception skills on the road. You will also have the option of in-car DVD Hazard Perception Test training at no extra cost.

12. Where do I take my theory test, and how much does it cost?

The Chester DSA Theory Test Centre Test Centre is located at the canalside on Sellar Street close to City Road. The latest test fees can be found on the Direct.Gov motoring website.

13. What are the pass marks for the theory and hazard perception tests?

The pass marks for the theory multiple choice and hazard perception elements are subject to change. The latest information can be found on the Direct.Gov motoring website.

14. How long do I need to wait for my theory test result?

You will receive the result of your test within a few minutes of completing it.

15. When can I book my practical driving test?

Before you can book your practical driving test you must first pass your theory test. Your driving instructor will then advise you when your driving has reached the standard required in order to pass your practical test. Tests can be booked online.

16. Where do I take my practical driving test and how much does it cost?

You will take your test at the Chester Multi-Purpose Test Centre (MPTC), Saighton Camp, Huntington, Chester, CH3 5UE. Click driving test fees for the latest price information. Note that you must first pass the theory and hazard perception test before you can book your practical driving test.

17. In what car do I take my driving test?

You will probably want to take your driving test in your instructor’s car, which for most people will be the car that they are most familiar with. You will receive a one hour lesson with your instructor immediately prior to your test. However, you may take the test in your own car if you prefer, subject to DSA rules and regulations. Check with your motor insurance company that you are covered for driving tests.

18. Do I have to drive perfectly to pass my driving test?

There is no such thing as the perfect driver, so no, you do not need to produce a ‘perfect’ drive. However you WILL need to give a safe, confident, courteous and responsible demonstration of driving in accordance with the rules of the road. You must also be able to competently perform set manoeuvres such as turning the car around in the road or reversing around a corner. In addition you will be required to answer two questions about basic vehicle safety checks.

19. What is Pass Plus?

Statistics show that newly qualified drivers are more vulnerable than they think. The Pass Plus course is designed to provide valuable additional experience with help of a qualified professional driving instructor. The course comprises six modules including motorway driving, night driving, driving on country roads, town driving, dual carriageways and driving in adverse weather. You’ll learn a safe, progressive and enjoyable driving style, that can reduce your chance of being involved in an accident as well as reducing your insurance premiums, so you have nothing to lose! And there is no test to take!

20. Do you offer motorway lessons?

Yes. Motorway driving skills are essential for todays driver, however learner drivers are currently forbidden from driving on this type of road. As a result a surprising proportion of drivers avoid driving on motorways altogether after passing their driving test. Due to the high speeds involved learning to drive on motorways by trial and error is not a safe option so it’s best to get professional training.

21. Do you offer refresher lessons?

Yes. Refresher lessons can help in several ways. Perhaps, despite being a qualified driver, you have not driven for some time - refresher lessons can help rebuild your skills and confidence. Alternatively you could brush up on your parking or reversing skills.

22. Do you offer lessons with a female driving instructor?

Not at present.

23. Do you offer driving lessons in automatics?

Not at the moment.

24. Are you CRB checked?

Yes. The Driving Standards Agency is demanding that all instructors have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. This is to ensure that instructors are fit and proper for the purposes of one-on-one instruction for young people and vulnerable adults. Certificates are available for inspection upon request.



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