Driving Instructor all Portsmouth Gosport Fareham Havant Emsworth and Chichester.

1st TOP GEAR Driving School, from Portsmouth to Petersfield and Havant to Chichester, including Gosport and Fareham Lee on Solent areas, would like to wish all our clients a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
For the many clients that joined our driving school and passed your practical Test this year or still having Manual or Automatic driving lessons our Male and Female Driving Instructors have enjoyed teaching you and wish you all a Happy New Year.

Driving lessons all Portsmouth to Petersfield Gosport Fareham

Driving School Manual & Automatic Driving Lessons in all Portsmouth areas to Petersield including Havant, Emsworth, Rowlands Castle, Chichester, Bognor Regis, Gosport, Fareham, Lee on Solent. Male and Female Qualified Driving Instructors who cover all Portsmouth areas for your 1-1 driving lesson from home work or college. Check out our website for our recent passes via the Facebook link.
1st Top Gear Driving School working hard to make you today's SAFE DRIVERS

Polish Driving Lessons Instructor Portsmouth

We welcome Anna to 1st Top Gear Driving School our fully Qualified ADI Driving Instructor who covers all Portsmouth areas for your 1-1 driving lesson from home work or college. If you are looking for a Polish driving Instructor call us.

Witamy Anna do 1 Top Gear Driving School nasze pełne kwalifikacje ADI Driving Instructor, który obejmuje wszystkie obszary Portsmouth za 1/1 lekcji jazdy do domu z pracy lub uczelni. Jeśli szukasz polskiego instruktora jazdy zadzwoń do nas.

New Powers To Suspend Driving Instructors

New powers to suspend driving instructors

• Legislation receives Royal Assent

• Closes loophole in existing law

• Immediate suspension possible


Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) who pose a significant threat to the safety of the public will face immediate suspension under new legislation which gained Royal Assent today.

The Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act 2009 will close a loophole in existing law by allowing the Registrar of ADIs to immediately suspend ADIs who pose a threat to learner drivers and other road users while they are removed from the register permanently.

It currently takes 45 days to remove instructors from the register of Approved Driving Instructors, during which time they can continue to give driving instruction.

The new law originated as a Private Member's Bill introduced by Willie Rennie MP and was supported by the Department for Transport and Driving Standards Agency who also provided technical and organisational assistance.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said: “The Government has been pleased to support Mr Rennie’s Bill.

"The overwhelming majority of driving instructors provide tuition in a professional manner but a small number fail to maintain these standards.

"These new suspension powers will allow the Registrar to protect the public in those few instances where there is a need to take immediate action to prevent an instructor from working with learner drivers.”

Willie Rennie MP (Dunfermline and West Fife) said: “I am delighted that this Private Members Bill has reached the statute book, and I would like to offer my thanks to all of those who have supported me throughout this process. It will send a strong message to those driving instructors who are guilty of an offence and present a danger to the public that they will no longer be able to carry on as normal.

"This will improve the safety of learner drivers and will also offer support to the vast majority of instructors who conduct themselves quite properly in carrying out the valuable role of teaching young people to drive.”

It is anticipated that the Registrar will use the suspension power only in exceptional circumstances.

The Driving Standards Agency intends to consult early next year on the detailed arrangements for implementation of the Act.

The new suspension power will also apply to Potential Driving Instructors, who are authorised to provide instruction using a trainee licence.

New requirements to improve safety

New requirements to improve safety for motorcyclists and lorry and bus drivers

Proposals to improve skills and safety for new motorcycle riders, drivers of lorries and buses and new drivers who want to tow medium sized trailers were published today by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The measures are contained in a consultation on the implementation of new European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing which come into force in 2013. Other motorists will not be affected.

The main aspects of the new requirements are:

• Motorcyclists – The current two categories of motorbike will be replaced with three – A1 (up to 125cc), A2 (up to 35Kw) and A (above 35Kw) - and new rules introduced for riders of larger bikes. Riders wanting to progress to larger categories of motorbikes will have to take additional training or a further test and there will be a rise in the minimum age from 21 to 24 for those wishing to start riding larger bikes without previous experience.
  
  
• Trailer towing - New car and light van drivers wanting to tow trailers may also be affected. The consultation proposes that drivers will be able to tow a slightly larger trailer on a normal car driving licence (category B), if they take a further test or undertake training. There will also be a restriction on the overall size of the vehicle/trailer combination that can be driven on a category B+E licence entitlement (car/light van plus trailer).
  
  
• Licence renewals for bus and lorry drivers – at present, drivers of medium-sized and large buses and lorries need to renew their licences every five years once they reach the age of 45. Over-45s also need to demonstrate their fitness to drive through a full medical report. From 2013, under-45s who drive these vehicles will also need to confirm medical fitness and renew their licence every five years. However, under-45s will not require a full medical report and will still only need to renew their photograph every 10 years. All other drivers and riders will continue to renew their driving licences every 10 years as is currently the case.
  
  
• Driving examiners – Compulsory initial qualification, periodic training and quality assurance checks for driving examiners will be required for driving examiners. The DSA already fulfils most of these requirements but the introduction of periodic training will enhance these existing arrangements.

Uturn for mandatory sitting in on test

Plans to force driving instructors to sit in on their pupils L tests have been put into reverse according to a report in the daily mail on the 12th October.
The controversial plan introduced by the Government's much hyped Learning to Drive consultation has now been dropped according to the mail. The Department for Transport has now ruled that Candidates will be encouraged to take an observer who could be a parent, friend or an Instructor to help them understand feedback from the examiner and tailor further learning.

Toyota iQ banned on test by the DSA

The DSA has announced that the Toyota iQ is not being accepted for driving tests with an immediate effect. According to the DSAs technical standards department the thick B and Cs pillars and rear porthole windows prevent the examiner from being able to see clearly at angled junctions.

Their advice to any instructors who owns an iQ needs to part exchange it for another car should contact their local Toyota dealer

Driving lessons theory test DSA

Taking your theory test

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for eg a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, the items are drawn from the same pool, and each vehicle category takes the same test. However the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Lorry and bus multiple choice and hazard perception tests are booked and taken separately.

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.

Some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when driving.

You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

multiple choice test types

Category	Time allowed	Passmark
Car and motorcycle	57 minutes	43 out of 50
Lorry and bus	115 minutes	85 out of 100

Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the car/motorcycle clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

hazard perception test details

Category	Video clips	Developing hazards	Pass mark
Car and motorcycle	14 clips	15	44 out of 75
Lorry and bus	19 clips	19	67 out of 100

At the end of the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.

You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions don't affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff.

For lorry and bus candidates once you have passed both tests you will also receive a pass certificate letter by post.

The driving theory test is changing From 28 September 2009

The driving theory test is changing

From 28 September 2009 some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions will be given as a case study

The theory test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. Once you have passed the theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test.

Taking your theory test

The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of a computer mouse button.

If you pass one part and fail the other you'll fail the whole test, and you'll need to take both parts again.

The questions in each multiple choice test vary according to the category of vehicle you're hoping to obtain a licence for ie a motorcycle theory test will contain specific questions that don't appear in any other test.

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Lorry and bus multiple choice and hazard perception tests are booked and taken separately.

Part one - multiple choice

Before the test starts you'll be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen. Some questions may require more than one answer.

For cars and motorcycles you'll be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

From 28 September 2009 some car and motorcycle multiple choice questions will be given as a case study. The case study will show a scenario that five questions will be based on. The subject of the scenario focuses on real life examples and experiences that drivers could come across when driving.

For lorries and buses you'll be asked 100 questions in 115 minutes and the pass mark will be 85 out of 100.

You can navigate between questions and 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later in the test. After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Part two - hazard perception

After the break you'll then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You'll be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there'll be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.

To achieve a high score you'll need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

You won't be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you'll only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the car and motorcycle hazard perception part of the theory test is 44 out of 75. For lorries and buses the pass mark is 50 out of 75.

The separate lorry and bus hazard perception test has 19 video clips, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard. The pass mark will be 67 out of 100.

At the end of the test

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you'll be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions.

You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions don't affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you'll not be allowed to enter it again. You'll then be given your result by the test centre staff.

For lorry and bus candidates once you have passed both tests you will also receive a pass certificate letter by post.

Portsmouth DVLA

DVLA Local Office - Portsmouth

• Contact point
  DVLA Local Office - Portsmouth
• Address
  5th Floor
  The Connect Centre
  Kingston Crescent
  PO2 8AH
• Phone number
  For enquiries about vehicles
  0300 790 6802
  For enquiries about driving licences
  0300 790 6801
• Text phone
  Minicom users
  For enquiries about vehicles
  0300 123 1279
  For enquiries about driving licences
  0300 123 1278
• Opening Hours
  Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm; 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on the second Wednesday of every month

Driving Instructors Driving lessons Driving Schools Portsmouth Gosport and Fareham

1st Top Gear on Facebook

Learning to Drive with 1st TOP GEAR DRIVING SCHOOL

1st Top Gear became established in 1997 and remains a very Professional Driving School covering all the Postal codes areas from Southsea to Petersfield, Havant to Chichester Gosport Fareham and Lee on Solent Titchfield and Hill Head.
Our Professional Male and Female Driving Instructors offer you the full hour or more from home work and college.
If you are looking for Automatic or Manual driving lessons in any of these areas and Discounts call us on
02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292

you can even send a Text to 07817 947654 and we call you back.

Driving Lessons and Test Passes

02392 798999

Photo card driving licence holder

Applying at the test centre

If your photo card driving licence was issued after 1 March 2004, you’ll be given the option to have your full licence issued electronically. The examiner will take your licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to DVLA.

You’ll be given a pass certificate, as proof of passing, and DVLA will send your full licence to you within four weeks of you passing your practical test.

Applying by post

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• send it, together with both parts of your driving licence (photocard and counterpart), document to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ

If your name has changed since your last licence you'll also need to:

• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, which is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office® branches
• provide original documentation confirming your new name

Renewing the photo on your licence

You'll also need to check the expiry date of your photo on your driving licence. If your photo is due to expire very soon, it'll need to be renewed before the date of expiry. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence.

Beware of the time limit!

If you don't claim your test pass within two years of the date of your test, the driving entitlement in which you gained the test pass will be lost. You'll have to take and pass both parts of the driving test again for that category of vehicle if you wish to have it included on your driving licence.

Paper driving licence holder

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available from DVLA's form ordering service or from any Post Office® branch
• provide original documentation confirming your identity
• enclose a passport type photograph and your driving licence

Send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ or use the premium checking service at selected Post Office® branches or DVLA local offices.

When to expect your licence

DVLA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It’ll take longer if they have to check on your health or personal details. Allow at least three weeks for your licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.

When your licence is issued it’ll have a number of added security features. One of the main differences is a laser engraved black and white photograph.

Driving before your licence is returned

You can drive before you receive your licence as long as you:

• have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence
• aren't disqualified from driving (the traffic commissioner for your area will decide whether to grant your entitlement to drive lorries and buses)
• haven't been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries
• wouldn't be refused a licence for medical reasons (if in doubt, check with your doctor)
• keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence

Automatic Driving Test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Leanne on her driving lessons in Portsmouth and Passing her Practical Driving Test 1st Time and only 3 minors in an Automatic car in Portsmouth.

Leanne Daniel
Thanks Bill and co! You were a truly amazing instructor. I never thought I would be able to drive with all my health problems, but you were patient and forgiving and got me through. I was very lucky to have you as my instructor, and my examiner, Dave Kemp was a really friendly guy too and put me right at ease. I'm glad I chose 1st top gear and highly recommend it, it's a great school, and the teaching is top class! Thank you for everything Bill. I promise to keep safe and slow down!!

Driving lessons and a test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Steven on passing his Driving test with 1st TOP GEAR Driving School in Portsmouth.
Steven James Parsons at 13:01 on 13 July 09

Thank you Mark my driving instructor, for helping me pass my driving test, very much appreciated, can't say how pleased I am at the moment, after about 20 hours (I think it was) enjoyed every minute of every lesson I had with you, will be telling everyone about you and 1st Top Gear! I really am lost for words just so pleased and grateful for all of your help.

Automatic Driving School, Driving Instructor, Driving Lessons.

1st Top Gear Driving School offers Automatic Driving Lessons in all Portsmouth, Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Hayling Island and Chichester areas. ADI Driving Instructors for your driving lesson. We use a Citreon and Ford Focus for Automatic Driving lessons. Or maybe you wish to learn in a manual car we have a wide variety of cars in all areas with a qualified driving Instructor.

1st TOP GEAR Driving School Portsmouth.

Over the last two months 1st Top Gear driving school has achieved an extremely High Level of passes. Our ADI trained Driving Instructors have worked hard on your Driving Lessons whether that was for Manual Driving Lessons or Automatic driving lessons a really big Well Done to all. We have added a face book link on our website which has gained fantastic support from our learners and the feedback we are receiving. We are covering a much larger area now from all the Portsmouth to Petersfield areas, Havant to Chichester and Portchester to Gosport Fareham Lee on Solent, Titchfield and Hill Head.
02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292
Text Name to 07817 947654 for a call back.

Campaign Targets Summer Drinkers

Motorists are being warned that a drink in the sun could see them behind bars as the Police and Government join forces to break down the troubles of drink driving over the summer.
The 1.5 million THINK! campaign will remind people of the devastating consequences of drink driving. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are coordinating a nation wide operation to catch the drivers who put peoples lives in danger.
Between June and September 2006 670 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involving drink Drivers.

The TV campaign 'Moment of Doubt' focuses on the consequences that drink drivers face when they are caught. This will also be advertised in pubs, radio and online.

Driving Instructors Accompany Clients October 2010

Instructors To Be Required To Accompany The Candidate On Test From October 2010

Following consultation with the public and ADI industry,
the benefits of the instructor accompanying the candidate on test have been
recognised.

The Minister has announced that, as from October next year,
instructors/accompanying drivers will be required to accompany the candidate on test.

Welcome to 1st TOP GEAR Driving School Portsmouth to Gosport.

Are you looking for the one of the best Driving Schools in Portsmouth, Gosport or Fareham that offers a Manual or Automatic driving lesson. Male and Female Driving Instructors then Call us today 02392 798999 or Freephone 0800 085 3292. Discounts available to New Beginners, Students, NHS Staff, Armed Services and Block Booking.
Very High Pass Rates.
Check out www.1sttopgear.co.uk and hit the Facebook Link on our Home Page

1st TOP GEAR Driving School

Are you looking for one of the leading Driving Schools in Portsmouth, Gosport or Fareham? 1st Top Gear Driving School has a Driving Instructor in all these areas including Waterlooville, Horndean, Havant, Emsworth and Chichester. Our Manual and Automatic Driving Instructors are ADI qualified and CRB checked.

Our Driving School prides itself on our extremely high pass rates as you can see on our website via the Facebook link and the Discounts we offer to New Beginners, Students, NHS staff, Armed Services and Block Bookings.

If you are looking to join an established Driving School in any area call us today on 02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292 or TEXT your Name to 07817 947654 and we call you back

Pass Plus Portsmouth.

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers. Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of passing their test due to a lack of driving experience - this is where Pass Plus comes in! The course aims to build upon your newly acquired driving skills and knowledge.

What is Pass Plus?

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers, designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry. Pass Plus will build upon your existing skills and knowledge, it will teach you how to anticipate, plan for and deal with all kinds of hazards, and can help you to become more confident on the roads

Pass Plus is made up of six practical modules which include:

• driving in town
• driving in all weathers
• driving on rural roads
• driving at night
• driving on dual carriageways
• driving on motorways

Anyone who holds a full UK licence is eligible to take part in the scheme. You will not have to take a test at the end of the course but you will be continually assessed. You must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard.

How much does Pass Plus cost?

Fees for the Pass Plus course will vary depending on where you live and the instructor or driving school you choose. You should bear in mind that the course will take a minimum of six hours, if more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost.

When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course.

Accompanying Drivers to Attend Test Debriefs

Accompanying drivers whether ADI or unqualified supervising driver will be required to sit in on all car Practical Tests and the test debrief from October next year as part of the DSA's Learning to Drive Consultation.
Other Key Proposals to be introduced over several years include
The continued roll out across Great Britain of the

New Pre Driver Safe Qualification in Safe Road Use.

Introduction of a partial credit for the theory test for car drivers awarded the new pre driver qualification in safe road use.

Introduction of case studies into the theory test for learner car drivers and moped/motorcycle riders with the next refresh of the question bank.

The trial of a new 3D Hazard Perception Test.

We Teach You Learn You Pass

Since we started back in 1997 1st TOP GEAR Driving School has become one of the leading Driving Schools throughout the Portsmouth to Petersfield, Gosport, Fareham, Lee On Solent over to Emsworth and Chichester areas.
We pride ourselves on our High Pass Rates and the recommendations we have received. Check out our FACE BOOK link on our website.
Our Automatic Driving Instructors and Manual Driving Instructors have worked hard to maintain our quality reputation with a Higher than National Average Pass Rate.

You to can join in our success at 1st Top Gear Driving School by calling 02392 798999 or Text your Name to 07817947654.
www.1sttopgear.co.uk

Vehicle Discount Scheme

How to take advantage of the vehicle discount scheme

Contact your local dealer to see if they have joined the vehicle discount scheme. They will check that your vehicle and the new vehicle you want to buy both meet the rules of the scheme. When the sale is agreed, the dealer will sort out the paperwork and arrange for your vehicle to be scrapped.

The discount is deducted from the price you pay for the new vehicle and will be shown on your invoice when you take delivery of your new vehicle.

The rules of the vehicle discount scheme

The vehicle you trade in and the new vehicle you want to buy must meet certain conditions for you to be able to get the discount.

Your vehicle

The vehicle you are trading in must:

• be a car or small van weighing up to 3,500 kilograms (kg)
• be first registered in the United Kingdom (UK) on or before 31 August 1999
• be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in your name
• have been registered to you continuously for 12 calendar months before the order date of the new vehicle
• have a UK address on the registration certificate (V5C)
• have a current MOT test certificate before date of order for the new vehicle

The new vehicle

The new vehicle you want to buy must be:

• a car or small van weighing up to 3,500 kg
• first registered in the UK on or after mid May 2009
• declared new at first registration in the UK with no former keepers

Government Scrappage Scheme starts.

From today consumers can drive off with a £2,000 discount on a new car, under the government's scheme to scrap their old banger for a new model.

"Thirty-eight companies have signed up - all the major UK car manufacturers and a number of other companies"

Peter Mandelson

The £300m scrappage scheme, announced in last month's Budget, is intended to boost consumer confidence and kick-start demand for new cars.

Motorists will be spoilt for choice with 38 manufacturers taking part in the scheme covering all the major brands.

The manufacturers who have signed up to take part are: Allied Vehicles, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroen, Daihatsu, FIAT, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, London Taxis International, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, MG Motor, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Renault, Rolls Royce, SAAB, SECMA UK, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, Koelliker UK Ltd, Iveco Ltd, Chrysler, Renault Trucks UK Ltd.

The £2,000 grant is made up of £1,000 from government with matched funding from vehicle manufacturers. The scheme will operate until March 2010 or until the government funding has been exhausted

DSA Release

DSA to tailor car test service according to demand

The Driving Standards Agency is to tailor the way out-of-hours tests are offered.

A new, flexible approach means that from 17 May, appointments for the practical car test outside normal hours will be offered where overall demand is high at individual test centres but not at those where it isn't.

Appointments classed as out-of-hours are those offered at the weekend and, during the summer, weekday early mornings and evenings.

DSA Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew, said: "These changes will ensure that our examiners' time is focused on where it is needed most and that we make the best use of our resources.

"We will keep the situation under constant review and offer testing outside normal hours to provide extra capacity where it is needed."

New Drivers Act

Under the New Drivers Act your driving licence will be revoked if you build up six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test. You’ll need to reapply for your driving licence as a learner driver and resit your driving test.

Penalty points gained before passing your driving test

Any penalty points you gain before passing your first driving test are taken into account. However, having six or more doesn’t mean your licence will be revoked straight after you pass your test.

Gaining further points after passing your test, taking your total to six or more, will mean your licence will be revoked.

Who’s affected by the New Drivers Act

The act applies to all drivers from, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the European Community and European Economic Area, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

Drivers from designated countries

The act applies to you if you have exchanged a driving licence from a designated country for a British licence and pass a further driving test in this country.

The designated countries are: Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

Getting your full driving licence back

To get your full driving licence back you must first reapply for a provisional driving licence.

You’ll also need to pass the theory and practical driving tests again and claim your test pass.

Pass the theory and practical driving tests

You’ll need to pay for and resit the theory and practical driving tests.

Claim your test pass

After passing your driving test, you’ll need to exchange your provisional driving licence for a full one.

Your driving entitlement for other vehicles

Any other entitlements you had on you driving licence, such as lorry or bus, will only be restored after the approval of a traffic commissioner in the area you live.

The traffic commissioner may request you retake a driving test for those vehicles.After passing your retest

After Passing your Retest

It’s important to remember that passing a retest doesn’t remove the penalty points from your driving licence. The penalty points remain valid.

Appealing against the withdrawal of your driving licence

You can only appeal against the conviction that led to you getting the six penalty points. Contact the convicting court for advice on how to appeal.

Choosing a Driving Instructor.

If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only a registered approved driving instructor (ADI) can charge money for teaching you to drive.

Recent surveys indicate that nine in ten learners who passed both theory and practical tests first time were taught by an instructor. A fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the car while teaching you. Some trainee driving instructors are granted a licence so they can gain experience before their qualifying examination. In this case, the trainee driving instructor must display a pink certificate on the windscreen.

DSA is responsible for maintaining and checking the standards of all approved driving instructors (ADI), who to qualify must:

• have held a full driving licence for at least four years
• pass a much tougher theory test than the one learner drivers take
• pass a strict driving test
• reach and keep up a high standard of instruction. The standard of tuition given by the ADI is regularly checked by a supervising examiner from DSA
• be registered with DSA
  
• display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle.
  

  You should take advice from your ADI on:

  • all aspects of driving
  • what books to read
  • when to take your test
  • how to practice

  DSA, as a government agency, is not allowed to recommend an instructor. We suggest that you ask friends and relatives to recommend someone they know. You could also look in a local business directory for ADIs in your area. Try and choose an instructor who:

  • has a good reputation
  • is reliable and punctual
  • has a car that suits you

Uk Licence Holders

UK licence holders

You will need to take a theory test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a car licence and you want a motorcycle licence you will need to take a theory test.

If, however, you want to upgrade within a vehicle category you will not normally need to take a theory test, for example, if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence you will not have to take a theory test.

It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct licence for the vehicle you are driving. If you are unsure if you need to take a theory test please contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

My driving lessons and i passed the Practical Test Portsmouth

Louise Barraclough Capper A very many thanks to 1st Top Gear Driving School Portsmouth for employing such proffessional personel. As a female learner driver who didn't neccessarily want to be instructed by a male, Tom came (and definately comes) highly reccomended. He made me feel at ease from the very first lesson. His sense of humour, calm and proffessional approach to instructing, got me through when i doubted if i would ever get there. Tom, thank you very much for everything you have done.

My driving lessons in Portsmouth

I had my first Driving lesson on Tuesday the 21^st of May at 3:00pm, My Driving Instructor Mark picked me up from college and he drove us to Southsea seafront (it was bit bit busier than we thought) when I took over it gave me about 1 hour 45 minutes driving time, 15 minutes to get to Southsea in Portsmouth (really giving me the whole lesson driving!) the Driving lesson could not of gone better!

I thank Mark for being relaxed with me therefore making me a lot more relaxed and being very helpful!
He tells you how it is and there is no beating around the bush.

Originally just thinking I'll be driving around in a car park, maybe going on the road (as a few friends had been telling me what they done for their first lesson). But instead I had done things that I never thought I would have been doing in my first lesson such as; Couple of manoeuvres (Reverse Bay Park and Reverse Parallel Park) came across a few (bigger) roundabouts and a bit of traffic coming out of Portsmouth (good for clutch control)

THE BEST THING I'VE DONE starting to learn to drive! Especially with such a great instructor!

Very much so looking forward to my next Driving lessons on Tuesday!

Will be recommending the 1^st Top Gear Driving school to everyone that I know who is thinking about driving!

And I'm booked up for the 29^th May for my practical test!

Couldn't fault the Driving lesson, the Driving instructor and how things went in anyway.

Many Thanks

Steve P

Latest Budget announcements

Fuel duty will rise 2% from September and 1% above indexation every April for next the four years

A car scrapping scheme offering a £2,000 discount on new cars when vehicles over 10 years old are traded in

Welcome to another two new Driving Instructors Portsmouth

A warm welcome to our driving instructors in Portsmouth who covers all areas of Waterlooville, Havant, Bedhampton, Langstone, Leigh Park Emsworth, and Hayling Island.
Our 2nd new driving Instructor is covering all the Portchester, Gosport, Fareham, Stubbington, Lee on the Solent, Hill Head, Titchfield , Warsash and all the areas in between.
I am sure you will be extremely happy working with 1st Top Gear driving School and all our driving Instructors in the areas of Portsmouth Gosport and Fareham.

Train to be a Driving Instructor

Training to be a driving instructor in Portsmouth with

www.1sttopgear.co.uk

To become an ADI driving Instructor you must successfully complete a three part qualifying examination:

* a Theory test;
* a Practical test of your driving ability; and
* a Practical test of your ability to instruct


You must take and pass all three parts of the examination in this order and the whole examination must be completed within two years of passing the theory test. If you have not completed the examination within this time you must start again from the beginning and pass each part again. This period cannot be extended for any reason whatsoever. But you are allowed to take the test of ability to instruct after 2 years has passed if the application was made before the expiry date. If you pass that test you are deemed to have done so within the 2 years.

You are only allowed 3 attempts at each of the qualifying examinations. If you have not passed after 3 attempts you must wait until the end of your 2 - year period before you can re-sit the qualifying examination, starting with the theory test.

Find a good independent ADI trainer who will let you pay as you go, after passing part 2 you can apply for a trainee licence and teach for payment for 6 months whilst training for and passing part 3.

Price Increase for Theory and Practical Tests

DSA announces Test Fee Increases

The fee increases will apply to Theory and Practical driving tests booked on or after 30 March 2009. Fees relating to the Approved Driving Instructor scheme will increase from 24 April.

Car tests are increasing from £30.00 to £31.00 for the theory test and the Practical Tests from £56.50 to £62.00.