Driving lessons in Bournemouth. Contact The Driving School in Bournemouth, www.driving-lessons-bournemouth.co.uk.

The Driving Standards Agency Syllabus.

People often ask us how many lessons it will take them to pass the test. So what is the answer?

In most cases the younger the person is the quicker they learn and retain the skills necessary to drive safely.
Some people are good at physical skills and tasks (psychomotor) and are well co-ordinated with their hand and feet, others' are better at mental skills and tasks (Cognitive). Driving requires both these skills and the aptitude of the student determines how long the learning process will be.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency), the organisation responsible for administering and conducting the driving test, say that the average successful test candidate will have had 45 hours of professional tuition.

The syllabus shown below is fairly extensive and each point needs to be explained so the student fully understands the task, demonstrated by the instructor when necessary and sufficiently practiced by the student until they are independant in that task.

Syllabus	Topics Covered

Cockpit Drill	Door Security, seat/steering wheel position, seat belts, mirrors alignment and driver responsibility.
Controls & Instruments	Hand / foot controls, switches and other controls.
Mirrors, Vision & Use	Driving mirrors, where and when to use, blind spots, mirrors and hazards, Mirrors-signal-manoeuvre (MSM) routine.
Moving Away & Stopping	Coordination / use of controls, observation (MSM). Anticipation of other road users.
Safe Driving / Stopping Position	Judgement of correct driving positioning and stopping / parking position by the kerb.
Gear Changing	Changing from 1st to 2nd gear, then 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd etc.
Clutch Control	Controlling very slow speeds by gentle use of gas, and clutch within the biting point.
Turning Left and Right	Mirrors, Signals, Position, Speed / Gear Look, Assess, Decide and Act. Priorities. Zones of vision. Pedestrians and cyclists.
Emerging Left and Right	Mirrors, Signals, Position, Speed / Gear Look, Assess, Decide and Act. Priorities. Zones of vision. Peeping and creeping.
Cross Roads	Mirrors, Signals, Position, Speed / Gear Look, Assess, Decide and Act. Priorities. Zones of vision. Peeping and creeping.
Correct Use of Signals	Mechanical and arm signals. Signals to and from traffic controllers. Misleading signals.
Meeting Traffic Head On	Anticipating oncoming traffic. The hold back routine. Priorities, judgement of available space.
Adequate Clearance	Passing parked cars, vehicle separation distances (moving and stationary), clearance to bus lanes etc.
Hill Starts	Up hill: Co-ordination of gas, clutch and handbrake. Down hill: Co-ordination of brake, clutch and handbrake.
Main Roads and Other Traffic	Emerging traffic, buses, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic queues, parking and waiting restrictions, filter lanes.
Pedestrian Crossings	Zebra, pelican, toucan and puffin crossings - the differences. Rules and regulations. Safe havens, tactile surfaces.
Traffic Light Junctions	2, 3 and 4 phase traffic lights. Filter lights and filter lanes. Box junctions.
Single Roundabouts	Observations, speed of approach, judgement of approaching traffic and gaps, priorities, signals, road marking and traffic signs.
Traffic calming	Speed humps, width restrictions and priorities.
One Way Streets	Positioning, single and multi lane, changing lanes safely, road markings.
One Way Systems	Road and direction information signs, planning and positioning.
Dual Carriageways & Slip Rds	MSM, entering and exiting, use of speed, anticipation of other traffic. Lane changing. Stopping distances and reaction time.
Overtaking	Overtaking safely on single and dual carriageways.
Country Roads	Passing places, use of speed, bends, dips and brows.
Eco Safe Driving	Advanced use of gears. Reduce emissions, reduce fuel consumption and reduce fuel costs.
Ancillary Controls and maintenance.	All controls and switches not covered so far through the course. Car maintenance and safety procedures. Show Me Tel me.
Solo Navigation	Drive unaided by sign direction only.

Turn in the Road (wide & narrow, up and down hill.)	Control, observation and accuracy to point the vehicle in the opposite direction using forward and reverse gears.
Reverse Left (sharp & sweeping, plus up and down hill.)	Control, observation and accuracy to reverse the vehicle into a limited opening on the left.
Angled Start (up and down hill.)	Control, observation and accuracy moving out from behind a parked vehicle on the left.
Parallel Park (up and down hill.)	Control, observation and accuracy pulling up along side and reversing behind a parked vehicle on the left.
Bay Park	Control, observation and accuracy reversing into a parking bay on the left or right.

The Driving Standards Agency Syllabus.

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