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Nailing your driving test unlocks the keys to freedom and independence, but let’s face it – some rush into it like it’s a video game. The result? Failures, frustration, additional expenses, and delays in hitting the road.

So you’re feeling confident and just wanna have a little go at the test? Well…. nope.

If you are not completely ready to take your test, you’re not only putting your own life at risk, but that of your examiners and the public too, not to mention your instructors car.

At Shift, we will only send you for your driving test when your instructor agrees that you are ready and although we can’t prevent you from taking your own vehicle, we would highly discourage it if we haven’t gave the green light yet. Your safety is our number one priority, so this may even mean cancelling your test on the day.

As an examiner once said to us at Gateshead Test Centre, “you wanna know how you can pass the test easily? Be Ready!”.

 

52 out of every 100

driving tests were failed in Great Britain during October 2023

OK… Let’s check if you’re ready!

Are you ready to pass? You’ll usually be ready to take your driving test when you can say ‘yes’ to these 5 points.

1. You do not need prompts from your driving instructor

You need to be dealing with every part of driving consistently, confidently and independently – without any prompting from your driving instructor.

You’ll be getting ready for your test when you’re able to adapt to situations and see why developing your skills makes you safer and more fuel-efficient.

2. You do not make serious or dangerous mistakes when you’re driving

You need to be a good and safe driver to pass the driving test.

If you’re making serious or dangerous mistakes during your driving lessons and brushing them off as ‘silly mistakes’, you’re not ready to pass your driving test and drive on your own.

3. You can pass mock driving tests

Taking and passing mock driving tests with your driving instructor will help you understand if you’ve reached the standard that’s needed to pass.

4. You have practised ways of managing your nerves

It’s really important to be able to manage your nerves to be a safe driver.

Practise ways of managing your nerves to help you stay calm and focused when you take your test. This will help you in the vital months after you’ve passed your test, too.

5. Your driving instructor agrees you’re ready

If your driving instructor says you’re not ready to take your driving test, listen to them.

Driving instructors are specially trained road safety experts. They’ve got lots of driving experience – and they know what it takes to pass the driving test.

Remember, they want you to be a safe driver, keep your insurance costs low, and enjoy driving for years to come.

Not feeling quite ready?

It’s free to change your appointment time, as long as you do it at least 3 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before your test.

You can move your driving test back if you’re not feeling quite ready yet.

Change your driving test appointment
Absolutely amazing driving school! Simon was brilliant from start to finish, and I couldn’t have wished for a better instructor. I had a previous bad experience with a different driving school which left me feeling anxious and lacking in confidence, but from my very first lesson with Shift, Simon made me feel at ease and supported me all of the way through. He has such a lovely, calm manner, is suuuuuper patient, and has an amazing way of explaining things differently if you don’t quite understand or if something isn’t sticking. My work shifts changed quite a lot due to changing jobs mid-way through my lessons however Simon was so good at swapping things about in order to fit my schedule and really did whatever he could to allow me to get the most out of my lessons.

I Just passed my test first time and I owe all of my credit to Simon. Lewis also sat in for a mock test last week, and he was also amazing - super calm and made me feel really at ease. Could absolutely not recommend learning with this driving school enough, and I’m going to really miss my lessons with Simon going forward! This is such a big achievement for me and I can’t thank the driving school and Simon enough ☺️❤️
Highly recommend Shift Driving School. They were an absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish. Special shout out to my instructor Hassan, who taught me from scratch in just under 6 months. I had no previous driving experience at all and he talked through the steps and skills needed clearly, always supportively pushing me to be my best. Delighted to have passed at first attempt! Couldn’t have done it without the team at Swift and Hassan. Thank you!
Passed my test today on my first attempt and wanted to say a huge thank you to my instructor Ciaran! He was absolutely fantastic, really patient, and taught me to drive and manage my anxiety at the same time which was not an easy task! I would definitely recommend shift driving school, I started out with no experience driving and massively nervous and now I’m a confident full fledged driver!
I 10000000% recommend this driving school my instructor has been appsalutly amazing he had so much patience and really helped me through all my lessons then he recommend me a nervous course which really helped me as I really struggled with my nerve on my test but I finally done it and passed my test and I wouldn't have been able to do it if it wasn't for lewis so thank u sooooo much :)
Can highly recommend Shift Driving School.
I passed today after having lessons with instructor Hassan. He was always patient, clear and friendly during lessons, and he’s someone who is clearly very diligent and cares about his work, which is extremely motivating for learners.
Thank you!
What a great company to not only learn to drive with, but to actually work with too. We would highly recommend Shift without a doubt.
Can not thank the team enough for all the support and encouragement for getting me through my driver training.... 24/7 support and 1 to 1 training through out, if anyone is thinking of becoming an instructor this is the school to do it with 100%
Hassan is extraordinary, got me sorted for my test within a few months! Calm, collected and goes above and beyond. Highly recommended
Great instructors, Hassan got me passed really fast and even managed to move my test to a sooner date! Super patient and great at explaining. Would highly recommend.
I passed my driving test last weekend, I want to say huge thanks to my instructor Lisa baour, she's been amazing mentor throughout the process. I'm from different country and I didn't have any driving experience before, so I had to learn everything from the scratch, she's been calm and polite from the very beginning, that help me lot to boost my confidence and take out my driving nervousness. Thank you so much Lisa and shift for making me a better driver, i higly recommend Lisa and shift, you won't be disappointed..cheers 🍻🍻