Learning to drive with Tonbridge Kent based Driving School White Rabbit

Why should I learn to drive with White Rabbit Driving School?
Do you give driving lessons in my area?
What make of car will I learn in
Can you teach me in an Automatic car?
How long are lessons and how often should I have them?
How do I pay for lessons and is there a block booking discount?
How long will it take me to learn to drive and how many lessons will I need?
Can I book an intensive course with you?
Can you help me with my Theory Test Training?
Can I book a Pass Plus course with you?
Are you able to teach people with physical disabilities?
Can I take Refresher and Special Courses such as motorway driving with you?

What do I need before I can start learning to drive?
Do I have to pass my theory test before I can start driving lessons?
Do I have to learn to drive with a Driving School?
Can I practice with someone else?
What do I need to do for the Theory Test?
Where are my nearest Test centres?
How do I book a Theory test?
How do I book a Practical Test?
What does the Practical Driving Test include?

Why should I learn to drive with White Rabbit Driving School?

At White Rabbit we stand by our slogan of 'Teaching Safety, Building Confidence' and believe that our approach of challenging our learners to achieve will give you the best chance of achieving that.

We teach you to drive safely and confidently by introducing you to the widest range of driving conditions possible, not by just following the test routes!

Do you give driving lessons in my area?

White Rabbit Driving School is based in Tonbridge and currently covers areas in West Kent between Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, including Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Hadlow, Plaxtol, Shipbourne, Borough Green, Ightham, Otford, Ivy Hatch, Golden Green, East Peckham, Paddock Wood, Five Oak Green, Pembury, Colts Hill, Tunbridge Wells, High Brooms, Southborough, Rusthall, Langton Green, Bidborough. Please ask if your specific location isn't listed.

What make of car will I learn to drive in?

White Rabbit Driving School currently uses a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Design. This is a manual car with air conditioning and has proved one of the most popular Driving School cars on the road over many years.

Can you teach me to drive in an automatic car?

At present we offer driving lessons in manual cars only

How long are White Rabbit Driving Lessons and how often should I have them?

A standard driving lesson is one hour but we are increasingly finding that one and a half or two hour lessons are preferred by pupils as they, and we find that they get more value and more driving out of a longer lesson as proportionally less time is taken up in briefings and in getting used to the car again. In some cases where a pupil lives a bit out of the way we also recommend longer lessons to ensure that we are able to get you to appropriate and worthwhile teaching areas.

How often you book lessons is very much an individual decision and will depend on many things including how quickly you want to learn, your access to private practice and, of course, your budget. Most pupils take between one and three hours a week either as one or two sessions. Your instructor will discuss with you the best pattern to suit your individual requirements.

How do I pay for lessons and do you offer any discount schemes for block booking?

We currently accept payment by cheque and cash only. Lessons can either be paid for on a pay as you go basis or we do offer discounts for block bookings and payment in advance. We also offer discounted rates for complete beginners.

See our pricing page for our latest lesson prices and package deals..

How long will it take me to learn to drive and how many lessons will I need?

Every learner is an individual and this will depend on a combination of factors such as previous experience, aptitude, frequency of lessons and access to private practice.

The DSA quote that the average learner will have had, on average, 45 hours of professional training and 22 hours of private practice by the time they pass their test.

At White Rabbit we want our learners to be better than average and will structure your learning according to your individual circumstances to give you the best chance of achieving that.!

Can I book an intensive course with you?

We do not offer full time intensive courses but can discuss an accelerated trainiing schedule with you with more frequent and/or longer sessions. Please not that these type of courses would primarily need to be during weekday daytime to ensure sufficient availability of slots for an accelerated programme.

Can you help me with my Theory Test training?

Your instructor can advise you on preparing for the theory and hazard perception test including recommended reading and practice questions if needed.

Can I book a Pass Plus Course with you?

No problem, White Rabbit can offer Pass Plus courses throughout our normal West Kent area with the full range of town, country and motorway driving covered by a Pass Plus registered Instructor.

We highly recommend these courses to all newly qualified drivers not only for the substantial discounts that are available to Pass Plus certificate holders although this is obviously a huge plus, but also because we are able to introduce you to a wider range of driving experience such as motorway driving and ease the transition from learner to qualified driver.

See our Pass Plus page for more information on our Pass Plus courses.

Are you able to teach people with physical disabilities?

White Rabbit Driving School does not have a modified car.

Can I take Refresher and Special Courses such as motorway driving with you?

White Rabbit driving school are more than happy to discuss your requirements for refresher and special sessions and tailor something specially for you. So if you perhaps haven't driven for a while or have never really felt totally comfortable with for example motorway driving or perhaps some of the standard manoeuvres, we can help. We also specialise in confidence building sessions to help you overcome the stresses of modern driving. See our Confidence page for more details.

Please note that we are unable to offer towing lessons.

What do I need before I can start learning to drive?

You must be at least 17 years old and obtain a provisional driving licence before you can start to learn to drive on public roads in the UK, (unless you are diabled and receive a mobility allowance when the age is 16).

You can apply for a provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th birthday to be valid on your birthday.

A provisional licence enables you to drive while accompanied by a suitable person (see below). You should also ensure that you can meet the minimum eyesight standard requirements as this will be checked when you come to take your driving test.

The distance requirement for the old-style number plate is 20.5 metres. The distance requirement for the eyesight test with the new-style number plate is 20 metres. New-style number plates were introduced on 1 September 2001 and are easily identifiable because they start with two letters ie AB51 ABC.

It is not necessary to have taken and passed your theory test before you start learning to physically drive although it may help if you have begun to study the necessary theory before you take to the road and you don't have to wait until you are 17 to start learning the theory!

Do I have to pass my theory test before I can start driving lessons?

It is not necessary to have taken and passed your theory test before you start learning to physically drive although it may help if you have begun to study the necessary theory before you take to the road and you don't have to wait until you are 17 to start learning the theory!

Learning both concurrently is widely recognised as the best method of learning.

Do I have to learn to drive with a driving school?

Only a Driving Standards Agency registered approved driving instructor can legally charge you for lessons.

The DSA recommend that "It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. Learning safe driving habits from the start will improve the safety of yourself and other road users"

Having said that, private practice outside of your driving lessons is highly recommended if you are able to. (see below)

Can I practice with someone else?

If you would like to go out for private practice, you must display L plates prominently on both the front and rear of the vehicle and the accompanying driver must be at least 21 years old and have held (and still hold) a full driving licence for at least 3 years. Sorry but your mate who's just passed their test doesn't count!

Any vehicle that you practice in must be in roadworthy condition and taxed and must be appropriately insured for you as a learner driver and for your accompanying driver to sit with you.

What do I need to do for the Theory test?

The theory test for car drivers can be taken no sooner than your 17th Birthday. It is a 2 part test, the first consisting of 35 multiple choice questions and the second a Hazard perception test. Both parts must be passed at the same time for a theory pass to be granted.

More information can be found here The Theory Test explained and your instructor will also be able to give you much more information on the test and its requirements. From the explanation page, there is alos a link to an official practice theory test.

Your instructor will be able to recommend suitable books in addition to the Highway code that you should read in preparation for your theory test.

Where are my nearest Test Centres?

In this area, the nearest Theory Test centres are in Hastings, Eastbourne, Sidcup and Chatham.

The practical test centres that are in the area covered by White Rabbit Driving School are in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.

How do I book my Theory test?

You theory test can either be booked online on form D1 available from the Post Office or online - here Theory Test Booking Information. where you can also find all of the other information that you will need regarding booking, amending or cancelling your test.

How do I book my Practical test?

When advised to do so by your instructor, your Practical Test can also be booked either online, by phone or by Post. Booking online or by phone enables you to select from a range of available dates and times for your preferred centre. Please note that there are waiting lists for all centres that vary from week to week according to demand.

Please note that you cannot book a practical test until you have passed your theory test as you will be required to give your theory test certificate number when booking.

More information can be found here Booking a Practical test

What does the Practical Test include?

Currently, the practical driving test consists of an eyesight test, some 'show me, tell me' type vehicle safety questions followed by a drive of approximately 40 minutes during which the examiner will assess your overall standard of driving including set manoeuvres. You are allowed a maximum of 15 driving faults although if you make even one serious or dangerous fault, this will result in failure.

The latest information regarding the requirements for the practical test can be discussed with your instructor who will ensure that you are well prepared for its requirements. Alternatively, lots more information can be found here The practical test for cars explained