Are my lessons limited to 1 hour at a time?

Whilst a standard lesson will last for 1 hour, we actually recommend 2 hour lessons as these allow your skills to develop at a much quicker rate because you spend far less time covering old ground at the beginning of your lessons. We also find that you may actually save money in the long run as you may require fewer lessons to become driving test ready.

How many lessons will I need to become ready for my test?

Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to put an exact number on how many lessons you may need because people learn at varying speeds. The national average shows that generally people require 45 hours of professional training but at Surrey Driving Force, we do everything possible to ensure you are driving test ready in as few lessons as possible.

Can I practice between lessons?

If you have the opportunity to practice between lessons (whilst accompanied by a suitably qualified driver), this is an excellent idea. This can help to speed up your progress & hopefully reduce the number of lessons that you require.

Do I have to learn in a manual car?

No, you do not. We have a high quality range of automatic vehicles that are available to you if you wish to learn this way. It is important to note though, that if you learn to drive & pass your test in an automatic car, you will only be legally qualified to drive an automatic car. There are however a number of reasons why people choose to drive this way, such as medical or physical restrictions that may limit your use of the pedals.

What age do I have to be to learn how to drive?

In the UK, you must be 17 before you are legally old enough to drive on public roads & to do this you must have obtained a provisional driving licence. You do not have to wait until you are 17 to apply for your provisional driving licence though as you may apply 3 months before your 17th birthday so that it comes into effect on your 17th birthday.

The only exception to this is if you are receiving disability living (mobility) allowance at the higher rate. In this case you can apply for your provisional driving license 3 months before your 16th birthday (it will come into effect on your 16th birthday).

How do I apply for a provisional driving licence?

To obtain full details about how to apply for your provisional driving licence please check the DirectGov website.

How do I find details regarding the driving theory test?

You can find all of the information you need regarding the theory test on the DirectGov website. To book your theory test please click here.

Where is my nearest test centre?

We focus our driving tuition around the Ashford, Chertsey, Guildford, Morden, Sutton and Tolworth test centres.

How do I book my driving test?

You can book your driving test here.

Will you be able to help me prepare for the theory test?

We will help you in any way that we can. We believe that you will find it extremely beneficial if you have a few practical lessons before taking your theory test, as the information gained through this can prove to be invaluable. We can also provide you with books and DVD’s if you require, as well as providing you with details of some of the many online resources available to you.

What is ‘show me / tell me’?

The ‘Show me / tell me’ portion of the driving test was first introduced in 2003, & then updated in 2008. This part of the test involves answering two questions regarding vehicle safety checks. We can help you fully prepare for the types of questions you may be asked, there are also many examples here.

How much do the theory and practical tests cost?

A list of current fees can be found here.

Are your driving lessons available in a foreign language?

The best way to approach this is to give us a call on 0845 190 2012 & we will discuss your requirements. We can accommodate the use of an interpreter during lessons to help with communication although this must be arranged by you & will be at your own expense.

Can I undertake lessons in my own car?

Depending on your insurance policy, this may be possible. It is of vital importance though that you check your policy to ensure that it covers professional driving tuition prior to booking lessons.We do recommend using our car to undertake your lessons though as the dual controls ensure maximum safety, particularly on the first few lessons.

Will I have to share my lesson with another learner?

No, this will never happen as you are paying for our time & shouldn’t expect anything less than one to one tuition.

Can you have more than one examiner sat in the car on a test?

On occasion this can happen. The only reason that this will happen is that DSA examiners are regularly checked to ensure that all testing is fair & consistent. This should provide no cause for concern though as if you do have an additional examiner sat in the back of the car, they will be checking your examiner & not you.

Can I have a friend / relative in the car for my lesson?

Unfortunately due to our insurance policy (in line with all other driving instructors) you are unable to do this. It is only possible for a driving examiner or an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) to be present in the car.

Are there online resources to help me get ready for my test?

There are many sites which can be found via Google, but we find 2pass.co.uk and driving-test-success.com to be excellent.