It is essential that when you attend your driving lessons you have a good knowledge of the Highway Code.

In addition to general driving you will be taught the skills necessary to competently undertake the following exercises.

The Braking Exercise
In the interest of public safety the braking exercise is practised at either our training facilities or at the test centre on the day of your driving test. Your instructor will point out two marker cones about 200 feet (61 metres) ahead. You will be required to build up your speed to about 20 mph and on reaching the cones apply the brakes. It is important that you stop the vehicle as quickly as possible, under full control, as safely as possible and in a straight line.

Faults to avoid are driving too slowly, braking too soon, braking too harshly, stalling the engine, depressing the clutch pedal too soon, too late, taking too long a distance to stop etc.

Your Driving Instructor will practice this exercise with you until you are totally confident.

The Reversing Exercise
The reversing exercise is also practised at either our training facilities or at the test centre on the day of your test. You will need to demonstrate your ability in reversing your vehicle around a marker cone placed at the rear of your vehicle into a vehicle bay. You will need to stop the extreme rear of your vehicle within the clearly marked out stopping area. The marked out area is only 75cm wide. Practice and guidance from your Driving Instructor will ensure that you will be able to judge the rear of your vehicle to within these limits. The exercise also needs to be completed under control in reasonable time, with good all round observation accurately without touching any of the boundaries or marker cones.

The Gearchange Exercise
Your Instructor will want you to demonstrate your abilities in using the correct gear for the correct speed. At a convenient place you will move off in the lowest possible numbered forward gear, drive a short distance in each gear accelerating in each gear. At any point the Instructor/Examiner will ask you to change back down the gears. At this point you will need to brake to a suitable speed for each gear and drive a little way in each gear returning to the lowest gear without completely stopping. It is necessary throughout the exercise that you are fully observant all round the vehicle regularly checking the mirrors and signalling if and when necessary.

Your Driving Instructor may demonstrate this exercise for you before you start practicing it for yourself. 

Uncouple - Recoupling Exercise
The uncoupling and recoupling exercise is only applicable on category C+E and B+E driving test. You will learn how to disconnect the trailer safely and in the correct order. You will then drive the vehicle away from the trailer. After checking the trailer is safe to reconnect you will demonstrate your ability to recouple the trailer competently and safely. You will be able to practise this exercise on our manoeuvring area until you are completely confident with the exercise.

Safety Check Questions (Tell me - Show me)
You will be asked some 'Safety Check Questions' by the Driving Examiner on the day of your test. You will be expected to demonstrate or explain how to carry out safety checks on the vehicle. Your Driving Instructor will go through all the questions that you are likely to be asked in order for you to answer the questions knowledgeably.

The above exercises are only part of the syllabus covered by your Driving Instructor when you attend your lessons. During your driving lessons you will be constantly assessed and given extra advice and training where necessary.