Planning and recording how you learn to drive

The driver's record will help you to structure the way you learn to drive. Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 47 hours of professional training combined with 20 hours of private practice.

The driver’s record

The driver’s record is a way of helping both you and your driving instructor to:

• identify areas where you need to develop your skills and understanding
• keep a record of your progress while you learn to drive

It has:

• a list of 24 key skills covered in the practical driving test
• space for your instructor to fill in as you progress through the five levels shown on the record

You need to:

• learn the skill and then practise to get the experience
• learn and develop the theory and practical driving at the same time

Download the driver's record for learner drivers (PDF, 233K) 

Practising your driving skills

It’s important to practise what you’ve learned during your lessons. Get together with your instructor and the person who will be helping you to practise and discuss what you need to do.
Try to practise:

• on as many types of road as you can
• in all sorts of traffic and weather conditions, even in the dark
• on dual carriageways where the national speed limit applies - you may be asked to drive on this type of road during your test

Keep a record of any practice you do on different types of road and during different conditions between lessons. This will help you to remember how much practice you’ve had in the different conditions.
You should also record any worries you may have about your driving and then discuss these with your instructor.
Download the driver's record private practice sheet (PDF, 34K)