17/09/2026
The Aim Is Not Just to Reach the Test Date
One of the most difficult parts of being a driving instructor is deciding when a pupil is genuinely ready to take their driving test.
At Newman’s Driving School, we work through a structured syllabus designed to make sure pupils have covered the skills, situations and areas they are likely to encounter when driving independently.
Most of the time, everything progresses normally and the syllabus is completed comfortably before the test date.
But occasionally, time starts to run short.
This might be because lessons have been cancelled, there has been a break from driving, the test was booked a little too early, or progress has simply taken longer than originally expected.
When this happens, we will always try to help.
If a pupil’s general driving ability is already strong, we can sometimes adapt the remaining lessons and prioritise the areas that still need attention. This can reduce the amount of time required without compromising the important parts of their preparation.
However, there comes a point where there simply isn’t enough lesson time remaining.
And this is where an important distinction needs to be made.
Driving ability and test preparation are not the same thing
A pupil can be a perfectly competent driver but still not be properly prepared for their test.
For example, we may be happy with their general control of the car, judgement and decision-making, but there may still be parts of the test area, different road types or situations that we haven’t seen them deal with independently.
Before we provide one of our cars for a driving test, we need to be confident not only that the pupil can drive, but that we have seen enough to know they can deal with a wide variety of situations safely and independently.
Equally, completing the syllabus does not automatically mean somebody is ready.
If all the subjects have been covered but the standard of driving is still inconsistent — perhaps serious mistakes are still occurring or too much help is required from the instructor — then the sensible decision may still be to move the test.
What happens if we are running out of time?
Our first choice is always to try to make the existing test date work.
If possible, we will look for additional lessons, increase the frequency of lessons or create a short intensive period leading up to the test.
We have had plenty of pupils where a few extra lessons close to the test have made all the difference.
But those extra lessons have to be possible — and the pupil has to be willing and able to take them.
If there simply isn’t enough time left to complete the necessary preparation, or if the extra lessons needed cannot be taken, we may recommend that the test is moved.
In very rare circumstances, if we do not believe a pupil is sufficiently prepared and they choose to go ahead with the test anyway, we may not be able to provide one of our cars for it.
That isn’t a punishment and it certainly isn’t something we enjoy doing.
It is simply part of our responsibility as driving instructors.
The aim is not just to reach the test date
The goal should never be simply to get somebody to the test centre because there happens to be a test booked.
The goal is to arrive there with a pupil who has a realistic chance of passing and, more importantly, is capable of driving safely and independently afterwards.
Sometimes that means adding a few lessons.
Sometimes it means adapting the lesson plan.
And occasionally it means accepting that the test needs to move.
A driving test date is important — but being properly prepared for it is more important.
Newman’s Driving School
Manual driving lessons in Keynsham, Saltford, Longwell Green and surrounding areas.
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Learn to drive in Keynsham and Saltford with Newmans Driving school. Patient instructors with a very high pass rate. Flexible lessons and affordable prices. book today.
