Our syllabus

The basics

Skill 1: Legal responsibilities

As a driver, it’s your responsibility to know how the law relates to both yourself and your vehicle, so make sure that you’re up to date with the rules and regulations.

 

Skill 2: Safety checks

It’s important that your car is in good working order before you start the engine. You need to be aware of what to check, how to do it and how often to do it.

This is the 'Tell Me' section of the 'Show Me, Tell Me' sheet

 

Skill 3: Cockpit checks

These checks may be simple, but they’re essential. The car you’re using needs to be comfortable and ready for you to drive before you start the engine.

DSSSM - Doors, Seat, Steering, headrest & Seatbelt, Mirrors.

 

Skill 4: Security

This covers not only the security of your vehicle but also its contents and your personal security. You need to be aware of the ways that you can reduce the risks.

Lock doors and close windows. Put valuables away out of sight if you have to leave them in your vehicle.

 

Control and positioning

Skill 5: Controls and instruments

You need to concentrate on what’s happening around you when you’re driving, so operating the vehicle’s controls should become second nature.

The 'Show Me' section of your 'Show me, Tell me' sheet.

 

Skill 6: Moving away and stopping

You have to move away and stop every time you drive and that’s why it’s so important to make sure that you know how to move away and stop safely.

POM - Prepare, Observe, Move off.

Left mirrors and look ahead, signal if necessary, then move over towards edge of road.

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Skill 7: Safe positioning

Make sure that you drive in the correct position for the road on which you’re travelling. It’s important not only for your safety but also for the safety of other road users.

On clear roads, position your vehicle by looking ahead. Aim for gaps when manoeuvring around obstacles. Slow down when passing close to (i.e. 'shaving' ) parked vehicles. 

Following distance 2 seconds in dry, 4 seconds in wet, 20 seconds in snow & ice.

T & T (must be able to see rear tyres and some tarmac of stationery vehicle ahead if in a queue of traffic. 

 

Observations, signalling and planning

Skill 8: Mirrors – vision and use

You must know what’s happening around you at all times and act safely on what you see.

As well as forward vision. take regular glances in mirrors for all-round awareness. Aim for no surprises!

Always use mirrors before signalling as part of MSM and before changes in speed & direction.

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Skill 9: Signals

You need to understand, and respond safely to, signals given by other motorists and give clear, well-timed signals to other road users so that they know what you’re planning to do.

Signals must be timely, correct and necessary.

 

Skill 10: Anticipation and planning

These skills are found in all areas of driving. You should always be aware of what’s going on around you while planning what you need to do in response. Planning ahead can also save you fuel, because easing off the accelerator earlier means you may not need to use the brakes as often or as heavily.

'Scale for distance' (front & rear). Break journey down into smaller sections. Observe and plan.

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Skill 11: Use of speed

Your speed should be based on various factors, including the condition of the road, weather and traffic, and the presence of pedestrians. Always drive within the speed limit.

Scale for distance and reduce down to the speed limit after passing the speed limit signs. Check rear mirror and, when appropriate, increase speed up to or nearer to the speed limit if you are holding up traffic behind.

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Skill 12: Other traffic

In most cases when you’re driving, there will be other traffic on the road. You need to be able to deal safely and confidently when meeting, crossing and overtaking other vehicles.

Right mirrors, right signal. (Car width clearance for bicycles). Pass vehicle then left mirrors and return to normal position to the left when overtaken vehicle is visible in the rear-view mirror. 

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Skill 13: Fuel-efficient driving

Everything from the type of car and its fuel consumption to the way in which you drive influences the environment. You need to understand how to minimise the negative effects and how to contribute to keeping the air we breathe cleaner.

 

Junctions,

roundabouts & crossings

Skill 14: Junctions

There are many different types of junction. You need to be able to negotiate any junction on any type of road safely, without holding up other traffic unnecessarily.

MS PSG LADA - Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, Gear, Look, Assess, Decide, Act. 

 

Skill 15: Roundabouts

To deal with roundabouts safely and confidently, you should have a thorough understanding of the rules that apply when approaching and negotiating them.

Approach - As above

Negotiate - Lane discipline, timely signalling

Exit - Left mirror, check(s), 'new road' mirror check

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Skill 16: Pedestrian crossings

You should be aware of the basic rules that apply to all pedestrian crossings but you also need to know the differences between each type of crossing.

Check Highway Code for different types of crossing

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Manoeuvres

Skill 17: Reversing

You should be able to reverse smoothly and safely while under complete control. This includes reversing to the left and right around sweeping curves and sharp corners.

POM and regular blind spot checks when reversing. Rear window for observing in the direction you are travelling. Remove seatbelt, rest left arm across the back of the passenger seat and steer with one hand if required.

 

Skill 18: Turning the car around

To turn your vehicle around, it’s often easiest and safest to use a roundabout or reverse into a side street. However, if these options are not available, you may need to turn your vehicle around in the road.

POM before each move forwards or backwards. Remember the cam of the road (roads curve downwards from the centre of the road to the kerbs each side to aid surface water drainage from the road when raining.

 

Skill 19: Parking

Whether you’re parking at the side of the road or using a bay in a car park, you need to gain the skills to do this safely before you drive on your own.

Observations, Control of vehicle, Accuracy.

 

Skill 20: Emergency stop

Effective scanning and reading of the road ahead will cut down the risk of having to make an emergency stop. If it’s unavoidable, brake as quickly as possible while keeping the car under full control.

Hands on steering wheel, clutch down quickly followed by hard press on brake pedal (not a slam!). Into neutral, handbrake on. Await instruction from examiner. Quick POM before moving off again.

 

Road types

Skill 21: Country roads

Country roads can be trunk roads carrying heavy traffic or narrow lanes where there’s single-file traffic. You must be able to judge the safe speed to drive at, while taking account of the visibility, signs, hazards and other traffic, as well as road and weather conditions.

Scale for Distance. Check signs on roadside posts as well as painted markings on the road.

 

Skill 22: Dual carriageways

Some dual carriageways are similar to motorways, with the same speed limit and slip roads to join and leave. Unlike motorways, dual carriageways can have junctions and roundabouts where traffic can join, leave, cross and turn right from the carriageway.

Entry - Mirrors, signal, accelerate to match speed of traffic in inside lane. Right mirrors to look for safe gap. Be prepared to stop (traffic already on the dual carriageway has priority). Smooth trajectory when moving lanes, signal off and then acclimatise before thinking about overtaking.

On dual carriageway - Keep suitable following distance (i.e. 2, 4 or 20 second gap). Always keep to the left except when overtaking. Right mirrors, signal early, accelerate to appropriate speed. Smooth trajectory when changing lne, then signal off.  View of overtaken vehicle in rear-view mirror, then left mirror check, signal left and then change lanes back to the left if clear with a smooth trajectory.

Exit - Look for III, II, I (300, 200, 100 yards) marker posts prior to slip road exit. Left mirrors, left signal at III marker (when present). Cross over dashed line onto slip road, signal off and then decelerate to junction at end of slip road. This could be a roundabout or junction. 

 

Skill 23: Motorways

Learner drivers can only drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor (ADI) and in a car fitted with dual controls that’s clearly displaying L plates. Your ADI will be able to tell you when you’re ready to take lessons on the motorway. However, motorway driving is not part of the driving test.

As above

 

Driving conditions

Skill 24: Driving in the dark

There are many factors that make driving in the dark more hazardous. Judging speed at night can be difficult, so be particularly careful at junctions.

General vision can be impaired, especially on unlit roads, so adjust speed accordingly.

 

Skill 25: Weather conditions

You need to be aware of the effect some weather conditions, such as fog and low sun, can have on visibility. Other conditions, such as ice, snow and rain, can affect the way that your vehicle handles.

Correct following distances.

Use of fog-lights when visibility is down to 100 yards or less. Remember to turn off when visibility improves again.

 

Skill 26: Passengers and loads

As a driver, you need to understand the responsibilities that you have to any passengers, whether they’re adults or children, and also how to secure any items that you’re transporting.

Seatbelts - responsibility is yours with minors in your car but always insist adults wear their seatbelts.

More weight in the car means that the tyres are more compressed against the road. This deteriorates the  performance of the steering, braking and engine performance.

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Following routes

Skill 27: Independent driving and using a sat nav

You need to be able to drive and keep full controls when following directions from a sat nav or a series of traffic signs.

This will make up approximately 20 minutes of your 40 minute test. Examiners use their own satnav rather than using the built-in car satnav. If the examiner doesn't use satnav he/she will ask you to follow road signs to one or more destinations for approximately 20 minutes instead.

 

Making progress in each skill

You’ll move through 5 levels of progress in each of the 27 skills you need to be safe driver.

 

Level 1: Introduced

The subject is introduced and you’re able to follow the instructions you’re given.

 

Level 2: Helped

You’re improving with the skill, but still need a bit of help.

 

Level 3: Prompted

Sometimes you need prompting with the skill, especially if it’s a new or unusual situation.

 

Level 4: Independent

You’re dealing with the skill consistently, confidently and independently.

 

Level 5: Reflection

When you talk to your instructor, you show that you understand how things would have been different if you had done something differently. You can adapt to situations and see why perfecting the skill makes you safer and more fuel-efficient.