Learners
Ready to start driving?
Learning to drive is one of the most exciting steps towards independence. It’s also a big responsibility, which is why it’s important to feel safe, supported, and confident throughout the journey. That’s exactly what you’ll find here at Matz Driver Training.
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What you need to start
Before lessons can begin, you’ll need a valid provisional driving licence (Category B). Once you have this, you’re legally allowed to learn on the road, and starting with a qualified DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) gives you the best foundation for success.
Category B provisional licenceTheory explained
Matz Learner Theory Test
The Category B Theory Test for learner drivers is a computer based assessment designed to test your knowledge of safe driving practices and the rules of the road. It is made up of two parts:
- Multiple choice section: 50 questions covering a wide range of driving topics.
- Hazard perception test: 14 video clips featuring 15 developing hazards.
You must pass both sections to earn a theory test certificate. This certificate is essential before booking your practical driving test. Once you pass, you have two years to complete your practical test.
Test facts
In the hazard perception test you watch 14 silent clips of everyday road scenes and click when you spot a developing hazard (something that requires you to change speed or direction).
Preparing for the theory test
The best way to succeed is through consistent study and practice. Make sure you cover all the topics thoroughly: this knowledge not only helps with the test itself but also strengthens your understanding of the practical skills needed to be a safe and confident driver. Remember: knowledge is the key to success. If you know what you’re doing and why, you’ll be well prepared to pass. There are plenty of excellent apps available to support your studies, making it easier to learn anytime, anywhere.
Why start early?
It’s never too soon to begin preparing. Starting early means that when you begin your practical driving lessons, you’ll already have a strong foundation of knowledge. This will allow you to put what you’ve learned into practice straight away. In the same way, your driving experience will help you connect real life situations with the questions you’ll face in the theory test: the two go hand in hand.
Lessons explained
How many lessons will I need?
This is one of the most common questions learners ask, and the honest answer is: it depends. The number of lessons you’ll need depends on:
- Previous experience: have you been around cars or had any practice before?
- Commitment: regular lessons and consistent practice make a big difference.
- Private practice: if you have access to a car, extra practice can help speed things up.
On average in the UK, learners take around 45 hours of professional lessons and 22 hours of private practice. But remember, these are averages. What matters most is not the number of hours, but that you feel confident, safe, and ready.
Key advice
- Focus on readiness, not hours: don’t compare your progress to others; take your test when you and your instructor agree you are ready.
- Use a driver’s record: the DVSA provides a driver’s record to help you and your instructor track progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Stay flexible: there is no minimum number of hours required by law; be realistic and prepare for the possibility of needing more time.
Driving is a life skill
Learning to drive is a lot like learning a subject at school, or starting a sport or hobby. It takes time to understand the rules and processes, learn how the car works, develop safe driving attitudes, and practise until everything feels natural. Some people hope to just scrape through the test, but the real goal is bigger: to become a safe, confident, independent driver. Think of the driving test like an interview: it’s your chance to show the examiner you can drive without supervision. If you’re prepared, the pass will take care of itself.
Private practice
Combine lessons and practice: research shows combining professional instruction with private practice makes you 50% more likely to pass.
Why choose Matz Driver Training?
At Matz, you’ll be taught by me, Gregor, founder of Matz Driver Training.
- 25+ years of teaching experience with learner drivers.
- Top grade DVSA instructor (the highest level awarded).
- Exceptional pass rates, especially first time passes.
- A proven record of helping nervous drivers, those with low confidence, and learners who were told they’d never manage to drive.
By taking the time to understand each learner’s needs, I make sure every lesson is structured at your pace and designed to help you succeed.
More than just passing the test
Passing your test is a huge achievement, but driving is about much more than a certificate. It’s about independence, freedom to go where you want, access to jobs, education, and opportunities, and the confidence to drive safely for life. That’s the real goal at Matz Driver Training.
The practical test
Show Me, Tell Me questions
What they are and why they matter
The Show Me, Tell Me questions are included in the driving test to make sure learners have the basic knowledge and practical control skills needed to stay safe on the road. They cover quick car checks (tyres, oil, brake fluid) to confirm the vehicle is roadworthy, plus practical use of essential controls while driving (rear demister, hazard lights, headlights). These checks aren’t about mechanical expertise; they’re about giving new drivers the confidence to keep their vehicle safe and to use important controls correctly after they pass.
How the questions are asked
- 01
You’ll be asked one Tell Me question at the very start of the test, before driving.
- 02
You’ll be asked one Show Me question while you are driving.
- 03
Getting a question wrong earns a driving fault (minor). You’ll only fail if your actions are dangerous or potentially dangerous while answering a Show Me question.
Tell Me questions
Asked before you drive.
01 Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
02 Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
03 Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted.
04 Tell me how you’d check the tyres for sufficient tread depth and safe condition.
05 Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working.
06 Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system (ABS).
07 Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working.
08 Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working.
09 Tell me how you’d check the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
10 Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you’d use them.
11 Tell me how you switch headlights from dipped to main beam and how you’d know main beam is on.
12 Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
13 Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient coolant.
14 Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Show Me questions
Asked while driving. The examiner will say: “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me...”
- ...how you wash and clean the rear windscreen.
- ...how you wash and clean the front windscreen.
- ...how you’d switch on your dipped headlights.
- ...how you’d set the rear demister.
- ...how you’d operate the horn.
- ...how you’d demist the front windscreen.
- ...how you’d open and close the side window.
Tips for learners
- Practise these controls in your instructor’s car so you can operate them without thinking.
- Learn where the bonnet release, dip switch, demister and hazard buttons are; muscle memory helps.
- For Tell Me bonnet checks, always explain what you’d look for (the dipstick for oil, header tank markings for coolant).
- If you’re unsure during the test, the examiner may ask you to pull over safely to find a control. Don’t panic; focus on safety.
Why I teach in a manual car
The reason I teach in a manual car is simple. Even though the UK will stop the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, there will still be hundreds of thousands of manual cars on the roads for many years. Learning in a manual keeps your options open: once you pass, you can drive manual, automatic, hybrid or electric. Pass in an automatic and you’re limited to automatics only.
For me, driving is more than getting from A to B; it’s a skill and an experience. I’m a proper petrol head: driving a manual keeps you fully involved in the car, teaches control and awareness, and doesn’t rely on technology to do the thinking for you. If you’ve got any questions about learning to drive, I’m always happy to help, even if you don’t train with me.
After you pass
New driver probation
In the UK, newly qualified drivers are subject to a two year probationary period under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995.
Read the guide →Ready to start your journey?
Let’s do this together. If you’d like to begin learning with Matz Driver Training, head to the Contact page and get in touch today.