Intensive Driving Courses Learning Guide

This intensive driving courses learning guide is designed to help you understand the steps involved in learning to drive. If there is anything that we haven't covered or anything that you don't fully understand then please Contact us and we will be more than happy to help.

Step 1 – Provisional licence

The first thing you will need to do before you can take your theory test or start learning to drive is to get your provisional licence. You are only allowed to start driving a car at 17 but can apply for your provisional licence up to 3 months before, you should do this as early as possible to avoid any delays. You can either apply online or through the Post Office and for either option will need to provide proof of identification (generally a passport), any addresses you have lived at in the past 3 years and your national insurance number. To find out more information and to apply for your first provisional licence please use the following link:

Step 2- Driving theory test

 theorytestimageIt is generally recommended that you have passed your theory test before beginning a intensive course with us. Many people go into their theory test underestimating it and we have seen students fail due to this in the past. It is important that you revise for this test in advance and are comfortable with the course materials.

There are actually very few theory test centres in the South East. To see the the most commonly used test centres in the Maidstone and Medway areas please see our Areas page.

Your driving theory test will consist of a set of multiple choice questions and a hazard perception test. Both of these are completed on the same day at your test centre and you need to pass both parts to pass the test. The multiple choice element is 57 minutes long and you will have to correctly answer 43 of the 50 questions to pass. After the multiple choice questions you will have to complete the hazard perception test where you have to identify developing hazards from video clips shown to you. You can find more information on this test by visiting the following link:

In order to book your dirivng theory test you will need to have a provisional driving licence, as already mentioned, and a debit or credit card. The test booking page and the current cost can be found through the following links:

Step 3 – Contact Us

At any point during this process we encourage anyone interested in learning to drive to contact us and we will be able to advise you. After getting your provisional licence and passing your driving theory test however you are in a position to discuss your options in detail. Learning to drive can be a scary experience and we aim to make everything as understandable as possible and hope to give you the confidence you need to become a great driver. One of the first things we recommend doing is booking an assessment lesson with us so that you can meet your driving instructor and they can find out how experienced you are as a driver and recommend the length of course required. We regularly deal with drivers of all experience from those who have never sat behind the wheel of a car all the way through to those who are just trying to master a couple of skills before taking their test or re-test.

Step 4 – Maidstone School of Motoring Intensive Courses

driving-lessonsBy this stage you will hopefully have had an assessment lesson or had a discussion with your instructor to help decide what length of course you need. You can see the course lengths and costs on the Our Prices page. Your instructor will cover in detail exactly what will be covered in your course and how it will be structured, all courses are tailored to the individual basesd on their previous experience and particular strenghts and weaknesses. Your instructor will work with you to make you a safe, proficient driver and get you up to the standard required for your test. During your lessons make sure to speak to your instructor to let them know of any concerns you have or anything you are unsure of, they will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Step 5 – Passing

practical-driving-testWe are happy to book your practical test for you or you are able to do this yourself. It is not always possible to guarantee test time slots and at certain times of the year you will need to book your test well in advance. Your instructor will be able to advise you on how far in advance you will need to book your test as they will be aware how busy your local test centre currently are. We recommend you use your instructor's car for your test and if you do choose to do this then you will need to check their availability when sorting out your test date; you will also need their ADI reference number, which you can request from them.

There are a number of practical test centres in Kent and the most commonly used ones in around the Maidstone and Medway area can be seen on the Areas page. It is important you discuss where you will be taking your test with your instructor as they will know the test routes for the area and will be able to practice these routes with you. When doing your practical test you will want to be as relaxed as possible so please make sure you have everything you need in advance. On the actual test date you will only need to bring the following items:

  • Theory certificate
  • Photocard driving licence
  • Paper counterpart licence

During the test there are a number of different sections that you will need to complete and each section must be passed in order to pass your test. The very first thing that will be carried out is an eyesight check, which consists of reading a registration plate from 20 metres. You will then be asked one 'tell me' question and one 'show me' question. After these two sections you move on to the main part of the test, usually lasting about 40 minutes. You will be assessed on your general driving, a hill start and one reversing manoeuvre. Don't worry you will be confident with all of this as you will have gone through everything with your instructor. You can find out more about the practical driving test and book your test through the following links: