Frequently Asked Quesions

Welcome to our Help Centre. At U Steer Driving School, we understand that learning to drive is a significant milestone, and it is natural to have plenty of questions before you get behind the wheel. Whether you are a nervous beginner looking for your first lesson in Gloucester, or you are preparing for your practical test at the Gloucester test centre, we are here to support you. We have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions to help you understand the learning process, our booking policies, and how we maintain our status as one of the highest-rated driving schools in the region. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please feel free to contact us directly—we are always happy to help you steer your way to success. 

• What areas in Gloucestershire do you cover?

We provide expert driving tuition across the heart of Gloucester and its surrounding suburbs. We currently cover the following postcode districts:

GL1: Gloucester City Centre, Tuffley, and Podsmead.

GL2: Longlevens, Longford, Quedgeley, Kingsway, Hardwicke, Hempsted, and areas west of the city.

GL3: Churchdown, Hucclecote, Brockworth, and Innsworth.

GL4: Barnwood, Abbeydale, Abbeymead, Tuffley, and Matson.

By focusing on these specific areas, we ensure our instructors have an unrivalled knowledge of the local roads, junctions, and the Gloucester practical test routes. This local expertise is one of the reasons our students have such high success rates.

• How many driving lessons do I need on average to pass?

According to the latest research from the DVSA, the average learner in the UK requires approximately 45 hours of professional driving lessons combined with roughly 22 hours of private practice to reach test standard.

However, at U Steer Driving School, we recognise that everyone learns at a different pace. Your personal timeline will depend on several key factors:

Consistency: Students who take at least two hours of lessons per week tend to retain skills better and pass in fewer total hours.

Previous Experience: If you have experience on a moped or have practised in a private car, you may find you progress more quickly.

Manual vs Automatic: Generally, learners in automatic cars require fewer hours (typically 17–30 hours) because they do not need to master clutch control and gear changes.

Private Practice: Supplementing your professional tuition with supervised practice (with a friend or family member) can increase your chances of passing by up to 50%.

Our goal is not just to get you through the test, but to ensure you are a safe, confident driver for life. We provide a Personal Progress Record so you can see exactly how close you are to being "Test Ready" based on the 27 essential driving skills

• Do you offer intensive driving courses or just weekly lessons?

We do not offer intensive "crash" courses. Instead, we specialise in weekly 2-hour lessons, as our experience shows this is the most effective way to produce safe, confident drivers who pass their test first time.

While the idea of passing in a single week is tempting, we find that intensive courses often lead to "information overload" and higher stress levels, which can actually hinder a student's long-term retention of road skills.

• What exactly is "Learn-Through-Play" in a driving lesson?

It is a modern coaching method that replaces long, boring briefings with interactive "mini-games" and visual challenges. Instead of just telling you how to steer or judge a junction, we use tactile tools and gamified scenarios to help your brain "click" with the physical skill. It’s about learning by doing, not just listening. 

• Why we recommend 2-hour weekly sessions

Higher Success Rates: A 2-hour lesson allows for a "warm-up" period followed by deep-dive practice into complex areas like the Gloucester roundabouts or rural Gloucestershire roads. In a 1-hour lesson, nearly half the time is spent just getting settled.

Skill Retention: Learning "little and often" gives your brain time to process and store new information. Students who have a week between lessons to reflect (and practice privately) consistently demonstrate better car control and hazard perception.

Real-World Experience: Intensive courses are often taken in a single week of weather. By learning over several months, you gain vital experience driving in the rain, at dusk, and in varying traffic volumes—preparing you for life after the test.

The "Power of Three": We have found the "Gold Standard" for success is 1 professional lesson + private practice + theory study each week. This combination builds "muscle memory" that a one-week course simply cannot replicate.

The secret lies in the "Quality Driving Time." Every lesson requires a small amount of administrative time—setting up the car, recapping the previous session, and a debrief at the end.

The 1-Hour Limitation: In a 60-minute lesson, these essentials can leave you with less than 40 minutes of actual on-road learning.

The 2-Hour Advantage: With a 120-minute session, that same preparation time becomes a much smaller fraction of your lesson. You gain over 90 minutes of concentrated, hands-on practice.

This extended time allows us to cover more ground, explore different road types around Gloucester, and truly embed new skills. Because this format is so much more effective, our students generally find they need fewer total lessons to become confident, test-ready drivers. Find out why 2 Hours are Best! 

• Can I start driving lessons before I pass my theory test?

Yes, absolutely! Legally, the only thing you need to begin your practical driving lessons is a valid UK provisional driving licence. You do not need to have passed your theory test to get behind the wheel with an instructor.

In fact, at U Steer Driving School, we often recommend starting your practical lessons and theory study at the same time. This "combined" approach is highly effective for several reasons:

Real-World Context: Seeing road signs, markings, and traffic scenarios in real life makes the theory much easier to remember. It’s a lot simpler to learn about "hazard perception" when you are actually identifying hazards on the roads of Gloucester.

Expert Guidance: If you come across a tricky theory question, you can ask your instructor during your lesson. We can demonstrate the answer in a real-world setting, which helps the information stick.

Booking Efficiency: There is currently a significant backlog for practical driving tests in the UK. You must pass your theory test before you can even book your practical exam. By starting lessons early, you can be test-ready by the time your booking date finally arrives.

Building Confidence: Passing your theory test while you are already comfortable controlling the car gives you a huge boost in confidence, as you’ll already understand how the rules of the road apply to your own driving

• What is your 48-hour cancellation policy?

We understand that plans can change; however, to provide a consistent and reliable service for all our students, we operate a strict 48-hour cancellation policy.

The Notice Period: If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, you must give your instructor at least 48 hours' notice.

Late Cancellations: If a lesson is cancelled or rearranged with less than 48 hours' notice, the full lesson fee will remain payable. This applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation, as it is often impossible for us to fill 2-hour slot at short notice.

Pre-paid Lessons: For those who have pre-paid, the lesson will be deducted from your credit if the 48-hour window is not met.

Instructor Cancellations: In the rare event that your instructor has to cancel a lesson due to mechanical breakdown or unforeseen circumstances, no fee will be charged, and your lesson will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

This policy ensures that our instructors can maintain a full diary and that other students on our waiting list have a fair opportunity to book available slots. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep U Steer Driving School running efficiently for everyone.

• Do you provide automatic or manual driving lessons?

At U Steer Driving School, we are pleased to offer both manual and automatic driving lessons across Gloucester and the surrounding areas.

We understand that every learner is different, and the choice between manual and automatic often depends on your personal preference and long-term driving goals.

Automatic Lessons: These are increasingly popular as they remove the need for clutch control and gear changes. This allows you to focus more on the road and hazard perception, making them an excellent choice for those who want a faster, less stressful learning experience.

Manual Lessons: Learning in a manual car gives you the flexibility to drive any type of vehicle once you pass. It is often the preferred choice for those who enjoy the "mechanical" feel of driving or want a wider range of vehicle options for their first car.

Regardless of which transmission you choose, you will receive the same high standard of expert tuition, focusing on safety, confidence, and the "step-by-step" challenges that make our students so successful.

• Who is responsible for speeding or motoring offences during a lesson?

Legally, the person behind the wheel (the driver) is responsible for any motoring offences committed, including speeding, red-light violations, or crossing solid white lines. This applies even if you are a learner driver and do not yet hold a full UK licence.

While your instructor is there to guide you and will use dual controls to keep you safe, the law views the learner as being "in control" of the vehicle.

How we support you to stay safe:

Dual Controls: Our training vehicles are equipped with dual-control pedals. This allows the instructor to intervene or take control of the braking if they anticipate a potential error or safety issue.

Speed Monitoring: Your instructor will constantly monitor your speed and the local speed limits. We teach you how to identify changes in limits and use "speed awareness" techniques from your very first lesson.

Progressive Learning: We only take you onto faster or more complex roads (such as the A40, A38 and M5 in Gloucester) once we are confident you have the car control and observation skills to handle them safely.

Fines and Points: Any Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) for a camera-detected offence will be redirected to the driver at the time. Any points or fines incurred will be applied to your provisional licence record.

Our priority is to ensure you never find yourself in this position. By following our "step-by-step" curriculum, you will build the habits necessary to remain a law-abiding and safe driver long after you pass your test.

• Are learner drivers allowed to drive on the motorway?

Yes, but only under specific conditions. Since June 2018, the law in the UK has allowed learner drivers to practice on motorways to help them gain experience at higher speeds before they pass their test.

However, a learner cannot just drive on the motorway with a friend or family member. To legally drive on a motorway as a learner, you must:

Be accompanied by a fully qualified ADI (Approved Driving Instructor).

Be driving a car fitted with dual controls.

Display L-plates on the front and rear of the vehicle.

At U Steer Driving School, we don’t just "allow" motorway driving; we highly recommend it when you are ready. We often use local stretches like the M5 to help our students master:

Joining and exiting safely: Using the slip road to match the speed of motorway traffic.

Overtaking and lane discipline: Understanding the "keep left" rule and how to use mirrors effectively at 70mph.

Forward planning: Reading overhead signs and anticipating traffic flow much further ahead.

Smart Motorways: Learning how to navigate variable speed limits and red "X" lane closures.

Motorway driving is not currently part of the practical driving test, but experiencing it with a professional instructor is the best way to ensure you feel confident and safe driving on your own after you pass.

• What happens if I crash or damage the instructor's car?

Safety is our absolute priority, and our cars are fitted with dual controls so that the instructor can intervene to prevent accidents. However, collisions can occasionally happen.

As the driver of the vehicle, you are legally responsible for your actions on the road. In the event of an accident or damage to the tuition vehicle (including during your practical driving test), the following policy applies:

Insurance Coverage: Our vehicles are covered by specialist driving school insurance, which protects you against third-party claims.

Financial Responsibility: If you are involved in an accident or cause damage to the car due to your driving (such as hitting a kerb, a post, or another vehicle), you are responsible for the insurance excess of £500. This excludes non-fault collisions.

• Minor Damage: For smaller repairs that fall below the £500 threshold (such as a damaged tyre or alloy wheel from kerbing), you will be liable for the actual cost of the repair or replacement.

• During the Test: Please note that during the practical test, the examiner will not use dual controls to prevent minor damage (like hitting a kerb). Any damage caused while on test remains the responsibility of the student.

By starting your lessons with U Steer Driving School, you agree to these terms as part of our standard training agreement. This ensures we can keep our vehicles in top condition and maintain our high standards of safety for all learners. Click here to view our Terms & Conditions.

• How do I book my practical driving test?

You can only book your practical driving test once you have successfully passed your theory test. When you are ready, you should book directly through the official government website to avoid extra fees and ensure your booking is legitimate.

The Step-by-Step Booking Process:

1. Check with your Instructor: Before booking, always consult with us to ensure you are "test-ready" and that our car is available for your chosen date and time.

2. Visit the Official Site: Go to gov.uk/book-driving-test. This is the only official way to book.

3. Have your details ready: You will need your UK driving licence number and your theory test pass certificate number.

4. Choose your Test Centre: For students in our area, the Gloucester (Hempsted) test centre is usually the primary choice.

5. Pay the Fee: The standard DVSA fee for a weekday practical test is currently £62 (evenings, weekends, and bank holidays are £75).

Important: Avoid "Booking Scams" Be very careful of third-party websites that look like the government site but charge an "administration fee" on top of the test price. These sites can often cost you double the official price. Always ensure the URL ends in .gov.uk.

What if there are no slots available? The Gloucester test centre is very busy. New slots are typically released by the DVSA on Monday mornings at 6:00 AM. If you cannot find a date that suits you, we can advise you on using official "cancellation checker" apps to find an earlier slot.

• What 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions will I be asked during the test?

At the start of your practical driving test, the examiner will ask you two vehicle safety questions. These are commonly known as the "Show Me, Tell Me" questions, designed to ensure you can perform basic safety checks on your vehicle.

The "Tell Me" Question: Asked at the test centre before you begin driving. You must explain how you would carry out a safety task (e.g., checking your engine oil levels).

The "Show Me" Question: Asked while you are driving. You must demonstrate how to operate a control safely while on the move (e.g., clearing your rear windscreen).

How to prepare: We have created a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide that covers every possible question you could be asked. This includes detailed explanations and photos of the exact cars we use in our lessons.

View our full guide here: U Steer Show Me, Tell Me Questions & Answers

We recommend reviewing this page frequently alongside our video tutorials to ensure you feel 100% confident when you meet your examiner at the Gloucester test centre.