Throw away your L plates!

Passing the driving test is getting harder. As part of the practical examination, learners in England, Scotland, Wales and, as of 27th June 2011, Northern Ireland now need to complete 10 minutes’ independent driving without any step-by-step direction from the examiner. Plus, the theory test now includes case studies.

For years, a raft of guidebooks has been available to help prepare learners for their tests, and these have recently been joined by computer software and DVDs – so there are now almost as many choices of study aid as there are exam questions. We’ve given 12 releases their own assessment to see which is best to help novices pass their test.

The Test

All these guides are factually correct, so we weren’t rating their accuracy. Instead, we wanted aids which were easy to understand, and engaging, too. For our books and software, the option to answer test questions and check your responses was essential, while marks were awarded to guides that covered both theory and practical tests. Price was our final factor; sitting the test is expensive enough, with the theory £31, and the practical costing up to £75.

Verdict

There are three main sources for learning aids – the Driving Standards Agency, the AA and Focus Multimedia – as well as a couple of independent publishers. The best option to help you rip up your L-plates is from the latter: Driving Test Success.

The All Tests CD-ROM scooped our top spot, as it’s simple to use and has a competitive price. In second place is the official DSA Guide to Driving. This huge, comprehensive paperback is an excellent resource for those wanting to learn the traditional way. Meanwhile, DVD fans should use the interactive Driving Test Success: All Tests disc.

BEST CD-ROM: Driving Test Success: All Tests
BEST BOOK: The Official DSA Guide to Driving
BEST DVD: Driving Test Success: All Tests