For most motorists, getting to the point where they can take their driving test and pass it usually takes many hours of training. But what if you don’t want to hang about and you want to get your driving test cleared in a swift manner?
Can you pass your driving test quickly? It’s possible, provided you do some solid planning first. Here’s a guide about what you can do to get your driving test passed in a short amount of time.
How many driving lessons does it take to pass?
There is no minimum requirement for how many driving lessons you have to take before you’re allowed to take your practical driving test.
You can take your practical driving test anytime while you have a valid theory test pass certificate. Of course, you will need to arrange for your practical driving test to take place on an available time and date. Bear in mind also that your theory test certificate will be valid for a two-year period when you receive it.
How many driving lessons it takes for someone to be ready to pass their driving test varies, as different people learn at different rates. Past analysis of the average time needed suggests that on average, a learner driver needs about 40 hours of lessons before they are truly ready to take their driving test. This can only be taken as a rough estimate though.
There have been cases where some drivers have sharpened up their driving skills enough to take a test after just 20 hours of lessons. For some drivers, they may need much more time, as much as about 60 hours’ worth of lessons in fact before they are prepared to tackle the practical test.
Most driving instructors will basically have a checklist of the different techniques and driving situations a learner needs to be competent in to be a safe driver that can pass their test. Usually the aim is to tick off at least one or two of these requirements off the list in each lesson.
Some learners may get unhappy with the speed of which they’re progressing through their course, and feel either it’s taking too long to get to the driving test or they’re being pressured to do it too early. If either problem ever occurs for you, then you can always consider switching to another driving instructor.
Quickest way to pass driving test
Certain driving schools in Britain provide courses which are specially designed for people who want to get their licence in a relatively short amount of time.
These programmes are commonly known as semi-intensive courses and intensive courses.
Intensive courses tend to take around 30 hours, assuming you pass your driving test first time. The course provider will usually book your driving test to tie in with the last hour of the course (assuming you’ve already passed your theory test by then).
A 30-hour semi-intensive course is spread over two to three weeks to suit you and your instructor's schedule.
If you want to pass your driving test in short time, then it’s a good idea to begin studying for your theory test from the moment you decide this is the approach you want to take.
Provided you study with relevant reading material (and perhaps a training DVD which has hazard perception tests for you to try out), then the theory test should prove easy to clear. The quicker you pass the theory test, the sooner you can focus on the practical exam.
Tips to pass driving test
Regardless of how quickly you want to get the point where you’ve passed your driving test, it’s always important to have a patient attitude during the lessons themselves and the test too.
If during your lessons you find you are struggling with any particular technique or driving scenario at any point, then it’s always worth taking more time to make sure you address these weaknesses.
Even if it ultimately means taking your driving test later then you originally planned, it is better to take time to get comfortable with all aspects of driving, instead of rushing through to the test in a nervous, unprepared state. If you pick up all of the skills required for driving well quickly then that is great, but you never really know how soon you’ll master driving until you undertake the lessons.
For more advice on passing your driving test you can check out our guide to seven things NOT TO DO during your practical exam and read about the four changes to the UK driving test introduced in 2017.