Many learners are not at first aware of the depth of theory knowledge required in order to pass the Theory and Hazard Perception Tests and it can come as quite a shock to them to find  there are around 850 questions in 14 sections followed by 15  video hazards to assess.  Most candidates work on their own using their own computers, but with support from me in the form of theory sheets and  videos.

For some people knowledge gained and understood in one section can easily be transferred to another new section, so for those who can transfer skills easily, the theory  is not that arduous. The question sheets are for error analysis only as I am not interested in what they know, but am  looking for what they do not know. The benefit of this is that I can assess the depth of their knowledge, or lack of it and can supplement their own knowledge with background information which will make it relevant and personal to them. Facts and knowledge are not really that important,  it is how they are understood and applied which matters.

An example I can give is of a woman who came to me after having already passed her theory and during the lesson  before her practical test I commented that she was driving at well over 60mph on a single carriageway road which would have resulted in a test fail. We had just changed from driving at 70mph on a dual carriageway. She theoretically knew all the appropriate speed limits and had successfully passed her theory so I was amazed at her next question “but what is a dual carriageway?”  The facts were known, but the practical knowledge was not there to support the facts and so make sense of them. 

Most drivers, especially the older ones, choose to progress with the learning on a lesson by lesson basis. They love the challenge and the joy of learning new knowledge and making it relevant. Some of the more academic students choose to just learn the answers in the book, but there can be gaps in their practical knowledge and I prefer to teach the theory at the same time as the driving.