Learning to drive Frequently Asked Questions

DRIVING FAQS

Here is a list provided by Thames Driving School of the frequently asked questions by our driving students and beginner drivers in St Albans.

Question - WHAT DO I NEED TO START TAKING DRIVING LESSONS IN ST ALBANS?
Answer.  The minimum age that you can  drive legally on a public road is 17 and you need to hold a provisional driving licence.  To  apply for a Provisional Licence Click Here. 

Question - DO I NEED TO HAVE PASSED MY THEORY TEST PRIOR TO TAKING AND DRIVING LESSONS IN ST ALBANS?
Answer. No. But you must have passed your theory Test  prior to taking your practical driving  test.

Question. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO LEARN TO DRIVE AND HOW HOW MANY DRIVING LESSONS WILL I NEED?
Answer. This down to the individual, previous experience and also how often (frequency) you take driving lessons.  On average complete beginner drivers will take between 30 and 40 hours to get to test standard, but some take less and others more lessons.

Question - CAN I DO MY PRACTICE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHILST ALSO TAKING PROFESSIONAL DRIVING LESSONS?
Answer . Yes. This will improve your learning speed providing you practice what you driving instructor has taught you. However you must be insured to drive the car you are practicing in and the family member / supervising driver must be over the age of 21 and have a full driving licence for at least 3 years. Be careful not to pick up their bad habits though!

Question  - WHAT DO I NEED WHEN TAKING DRIVING LESSONS IN ST ALBANS?
Answer. You need both parts of your driving licence and be wearing any contact lenses or glasses if required.  Suitable flat soled  shoes, no high heals and bulky heavy shoes should be avoided

Question - CAN YOU COLLECT ME FROM MY HOME OR WORK LOCATION FOR MY DRIVING LESSONS?
Answer. Yes, We can be collected you from your home or any other pre-arranged location if it is in the local area and is prearranged prior to your driving lessons and drop you off elsewhere is similarly pre arranged and local.

Question - HOW LONG ARE THE DRIVING LESSONS WITH THAMES DRIVING SCHOOL ST ALBANS?
Answer. All our driving lessons are a full 1 hour or multiples thereof. We do not recommend taking more than 2 hours of driving lessons in any one day. To avoid fatigue and complacency. 2 hour driving lessons are perfect for increased learning and you will find you will relax more in the second hour of your lesson.

Question - WILL I BE SHARING MY DRIVING LESSON WITH ANOTHER PUPIL IN ST ALBANS?
Answer NO You will never share  a driving lessons with anyone. It will be just you and your driving instructor.


Question - HOW MUCH TIME DURING THE LESSON IS SPENT ACTUALLY DRIVING?
Answer. Usually all of your driving lesson will be spent physically driving as this is the best way to learn. Sometimes complicated techniques and or detailed information may need to be shared with you and this will be done when the car is stationary.


Question -  WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE DRIVING TEST?
Answer.  This is when you are confident and safe on the roads and can make decisions and maneuvers without the instruction from your driving instructor.


Question - WHERE WILL I BE TAKING THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST?
Answers This will be at your local driving test centre, your instructor will have taken you on many of the test routes around the test centre in order for you to become familiar with these routes prior to taking your practical driving test. Your local St Albans Test Centre is located at Beauver House, 6 Bricket Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JX.


Question - . WHAT CAR WILL I TAKE MY DRIVING LESSONS IN?
Answer. All our driving school cars are test approved and regularly upgraded to the latest models.  You can use your own car if you have been learning in this but it has to be properly insured for the test and has also been fitted with an extra interior mirror for the examiner to use.


Question - WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE WITH ME AT MY PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST ?
Answer. You will need with you  both parts of your Provisional Licence, theory certificate and registration document for the car. If using our driving school car, the registration document will be supplied by your driving instructor at your test.


Question - HOW LONG DOES THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST TAKE?
Answer. It lasts about 40 minutes and will include one of the set manoeuvres and an emergency stop. It will also include about 10 minutes of independent driving (free driving).Driving following road signs to place or destination.


Question - IS THERE A PASS QUOTA AND IS IT BETTER TO TAKE MY TEST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH IN HERTFORDSHIRE?
Answer. No, Quotas are an absolute myth. You will be assessed on your ability to drive confidently and safely and to the required legal driving standard. 

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​Standard Driving Lesson Rate£23.00

Automatic Driving Lessons 
£24.00

Pass Plus Driving Course 
​£160.00

Refresher Driving Lessons Course
£23.00

Motorway Driving Course
3hr £65.00

CONTACT US FOR OUR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

DRIVING TEST CENTRES used by our instructors

​St Albans
​Beauver House
6 Bricket Road
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3JX

​Hemel Hempstead
C/O Halfords
251 London Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP3 9AA

​Borehamwood (London)
​Unit 1 Stirling Court,
Stirling Way
Borehamwood
Hertfordshire
WD6 2BT

​Watford
CP House
Otterspool Way
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD25 8HU