Mum’s Guide to the L Test in the UK

For many mothers, the thought of their teenager taking their L Test is a confronting proposition.

You will no doubt want them to enjoy the sense of achievement and freedom that comes with passing their driving examination. However, the prospect of them being on the road with other cars, pedestrians and road hazards can, frankly, be downright scary.

However, as the ability to drive is an essential life skill, it is important they learn how to do so. Therefore, the question you should ask yourself is how can I best help them to pass their test?

In this post, we’ll provide you with an overview of what you can do to support them.

Encourage them to watch and learn

As a mother you’ll be well aware that children’s minds are sponges which learn best by taking in what they see. For this reason, the act of them preparing for their L test happens long before they have their first lesson.

In the lead up to when they get their provisional licence try to give your teenager an overview of what is required in driving a vehicle.

Doing this should involve explaining what the different functions of a car are, for instance, the brake, clutch, accelerator and indicator. At the same time, you should educate them on what various road signs mean and outline specific aspects such as right of way.

The key here is to do it in a fun and engaging way. Being typical teenagers, if they think you are trying to nag or be all ‘parenty’, they’ll probably switch off!

Find them a good Driving Instructor 

Once your child reaches their 17th birthday, assuming they have their provisional licence, it is a good idea to get them some lessons with a professional, fully qualified driving instructor.

When looking for affordable driving lesson in your area, check out EzLicence. On this site, you’ll be able to source a full list of driving instructors in and around the suburb you live.

You should easily be able to assess their track record and reputation by seeing the reviews and ratings other learner drivers they taught left about them. 

The instructors are all police-checked. However, if you specifically want a female driving instructor as a personal preference or someone with a similar religious background, you should be able to find them easily.

Make sure they have lots of lessons 

According to the DVSA, most learner drivers need about 45 hours of driving lessons from a professional instructor on average to pass their L-test.

You will need to factor this cost into your budget if you are funding your teenager’s tuition.

Initially, lessons tend to be for an hour’s duration. However, it is not uncommon for this to stretch into a two-hour session as they get more confident behind the wheel. 

Subsequently, 45 hours tends to relate to about 20 to 30 individual lessons.

Take them out on practice drives

Even though they are having lessons with a professional instructor, it is important you take your teen out for practice drives.

The more practice they get the more they will brush up on their driving technique and skills. However, if you do take them out it is important to be patient with them and remain calm at all.

Shouting at them or panicking will not do their confidence any good. Instead, you should keep your own emotions under control and offer them praise whenever they do something well.

If your schedule permits, it is worth taking them out for practice runs at different times of the day. If they can drive in varying weather conditions, that would be all the better. 

Practice around the Test Route 

At some point, usually with the blessing of their instructor, your teen will want to go for the L-Test.

Once it has been booked, it is a good idea to take them for practice drives specifically around the test route.

While you won’t be able to replicate the exact route they will take during the test, doing this will make them familiar with the surroundings, which should hold them in good stead when the big day comes around.

Believe in them

Finally, one of the most crucial things you can do is show your teenager how much you believe in them.

Passing a driving test is as much about confidence as anything else. So, the more you can build up their confidence, the better.

Projecting your own negativity will encourage doubts in their mind and convey that you don’t think they have what it takes to pass.

It is important to remember that they have been having lessons with a professional driving instructor, so your teen’s driving skills should be down pat.

Crucially, be mindful that a driving instructor has a reputation and a success rate ratio to protect. Subsequently, they won’t recommend any of their students to take their test if they don’t think they have a good chance of passing.