While there are no requirements for you to have professional tuition before taking the UK driving test, here are two reasons why you need driving lessons with an approved instructor.
If you are learning to drive with someone who is not a professional driving instructor, maybe a family member or friend who has held a driving licence for over 3years and is at least 21yrs old, have you asked yourself this question: 'Will my teacher be able to pass the current DSA driving test without taking driving lessons from an instructor?' I you can not honestly answer that question with a yes, then you need professional driving lessons.
Secondly, you might be thinking I will take a few driving lessons with an instructor from a school when I think I'm ready for the test. All well and good, but a lot of people never do because they belive so much in their ability to drive a car from A to B, have been convienced that the test is not that difficult, and in any case what have they got to lose if they don't pass on their first attempt, they can always have another go after taking driving lessons if necessary. Of course they go for the test, fail, blame the DSA driving examiner for being harsh as what they did is done by drivers (including your teacher) every day, so why should I have failed on that!
You need driving lessons before going for a test, because a school instuctor knows what is required by the DSA examiner, the latest information about car safety recalls, and can help you get rid of all those bad driving habits you built up while learning to drive with family or friends. It is this lack of knowledge about what is required by the DSA, and the bad habits that many learners acquire which contributes to the low pass rate of the UK driving test.
If you think that you can save money by buying a car, getting a friend to supervise you and get yourself ready for the test, you are kidding yourself, the current driving test is hard, and not getting any easier. You need driving lessons if you want to have a good chance of passing first time or on your next attempt.
