Here at BIG TOM Driving School, we often get questions from customers relating to the driving test: how long does it take, what's the difference with the driving faults, what is the examiner like, how can I control my nerves? Quite understandably there are many questions and anxieties expressed about the driving test.
This blog will take a look at a really important question that many a learner will ask:
"Where can I take my driving test?"
The most direct answer to this question is literally anywhere you like! More accurately, what it comes down to is which driving test centres you have near you. Whilst you might expect them to all be roughly the same, there are a couple of points that make them differ. Test date availability is one aspect; they do differ in their waiting times for tests - it varies from about 4 weeks up to 12+ weeks. Another aspect is the pass rates. Surprising as this may sound, the pass rates associated between driving test centres does differ across the UK. The pass rates are freely available for public viewing via www.GOV.UK
Another point to make when it comes to choosing where you intend to go to test is whether you feel strongly about knowing the area itself. This tends to differ between pupils. Some customers have strong desires to take their driving test in a certain location, and yet others are not so concerned. If you think about it logically, by passing a driving test, you are in theory at least, opening up the prospect of driving anywhere in the UK, so from that point of view, where you take your driving test, should not be of major concern.
On the BIG TOM 5 Day Intensive Driving Course, our customers are encouraged to drive in a variety of different locations, so at to expand their experience of differing driving conditions. Driving between county boundaries is not unusual, clocking up 70+ miles in any one driving session on the course is also quite common. For the vast majority of people, passing a driving test, gaining their full driving licence will inevitably open the door to driving around in towns and cities that they have previously never been - so it is quite sensible to gain the experience, when learning to drive of being able to cope on journeys that you are not familiar.
The only other factor that it would be worth checking out prior to choosing where you are going to go test, is the actual location of the test centre itself. They do differ in size, the size of the car park, and even how busy it is near the test centre. Whilst this may not be an over-riding issue for you, it is always a good idea to check things out before hand.
If this blog has been useful to you, consider clicking through to this blog here that talks about the difference of learning to drive on an intensive driving course versus the traditional pay as you go driving lessons.
The author, Tom Ingram is the Owner of BIG TOM Driving School that provides 5 Day Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough, Lincoln, Stamford, Grantham, Bourne, Spalding and Boston. Call now on 0800 689 4174
