Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided some of our most frequently asked questions...

Browse Frequently Asked Questions...

	How do I find a driving instructor?
	To find your RPDIA Driving Instructor simply search our driving instructors database by your locality. once you have found an instructor simply contact them via the online booking enquiry to start your driving lessons. Read more...

	Can I search for Driving Instructors that provide for special needs?
	RPDIA makes searching for a driving instructor very easy. If you are searching for Male of Female driving instructors or even if you are deaf you can simply select your requirements and a driving instructor can be found to meet your needs. Read more...

How long will it take me to pass my test?

The official figures published by the DSA say that on average it takes 45 hours of driving lessons plus 22 hours of private practice to pass a driving test. These are average figures taken from all age groups across the country. As such, it can vary widely between individuals. In general, the older you are when you start driving lessons, the longer it may take. Your RPDIA registered driving instructor will be able to give you a better idea of how long you will take, after you've had a few driving lessons.

How many driving lessons should I have per week?

The number of driving lessons per week will depend upon many factors. Your budget. Your availability. Your determination. In general it's not so much the quantity that's important, it's the quality. If you have too many driving lessons in a week, you may find it difficult and tiring, and that's not good for your motivation. Most people will do one lesson a week, some two and a few maybe even three!

	How long should a driving lesson be?
	It has been said that; “A cynic might say that a school offering one-hour lessons is simply trying to extract more money from each pupil, because they know that you could learn more quickly with 2-hour lessons!”. There are various opinions about how long a driving lesson should be. Some instructors recommend 2 hour lessons, others only 1 hour. Read more...

Do you only have qualified instructors?

RPDIA membership is open to fully qualified and registered Approved Driving Instructors. (These are known as ADI's.) ADI's must display an octagonal green licence in the front windscreen of their car whilst giving instruction. However, trainee driving instructors are allowed to give paid instruction if they have obtained a special trainee licence from the DSA. These are known as Provisional Driving Instructors or PDI's. A trainee licence has a triangular symbol on it and is pink in colour.

Should I do an intensive course?

Many driving schools/instructors offer "intensive courses" but that doesn't mean that they all define "intensive course" in the same way, nor does it mean that they all offer exactly the same thing - all intensive courses are different! There isn't a "standard" intensive course. Intensive courses, Semi-Intensive Courses, Crash Courses, Fast Pass Courses - all of these mean basically the same thing - a course of driving lessons that get you to Practical Test standard in a shorter timescale than the "traditional" one driving lesson a week.