Need to get a Licence to Drive

I need to get a standard licence to drive a car on UK roads and I need to get it in the next 3 months.

Has anybody got a line on a good driving school in central London?

Has anybody got any recent driving-test books they don't need?

Other than a provisional licence is there anything I should get, do, or read before booking lessons?

Thanks.

It's all on the direct.gov and DVLA sites..
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514
http://dvlaguide.co.uk/index.php/dvlaguide/category/learner_and_new_driver/

Then find someone in your area to take driving lessons with. yell.com and ring a few for rates and times.

Yeah, read all that.
Looking for for personal recommendations in central London and spare books.

I just got mine but it was a straight swap from my Aussie one so I'm out as far as driver training goes.
Is there a Reds near you? I wonder if AA does training like RACV used to in Victoria?

I have seen their cars around.

Want to avoid this:

Ouch.. what happened there?

It would appear that the two fire engines have squashed the car into a tree.

A tip... the queue for driving tests is mahoosive. If you need your licence in 3 months. Book the test now, even if you have not booked lessons. It will mean that 1. you dont get screwed when you try to book it closer to the time and 2. you and your instructor have something to work towards. Seriously... BOOK YOUR TEST NOW!!

i can print you one up for £50

If you pay the overhead on the insurance(not likely to be much) then happy for you to have "lessons" with me.

Never taught anyone to drive before, but I don't charge £15 per hour either.

And you wouldn't even let me drive.. hmmpf!

i have a theory test/ highway codes book you can borrow, there are also loads of theory test sites that give you an idea of what it will be like especially with the video hazard perception part of the test.

oh... and book your test now

I have a feeling you need to have passed your theory test to book a practical test. Book that now for as soon as possible.

one week, intensive crash-course? I've had a few friends do these, and pass. Expensive way of doing it though.

one week, intensive crash-course? I've had a few friends do these, and pass. Expensive way of doing it though.

And ultra shit in terms of the drivers it creates.

That said we don't know why Jon needs a drivers licence- fast but shit might be the ticket.

the books and training videos are downloadable via torrents if you do such things.
dvla are out to make your life hell so make sure you have everything correct on your forms.
mine came back twice after I paid the post office to check everything the first time I sent it.

I have a feeling you need to have passed your theory test to book a practical test. Book that now for as soon as possible.

yes, you need to have passed your theory to do practical, but anyone can do this (who has an oz. of common sense)

one week, intensive crash-course? I've had a few friends do these, and pass. Expensive way of doing it though.

yes, this can happen if you want it quick but if you want the experience an average driver has, you need to drive more.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

MA3K, having gone through the whole process here myself I can vouch for the following.

1. Book your test as soon as you can.
   
2. Go with an instructor - there are lots of options - I did mine with BSM.
   
3. Get the theory test done ASAP - it's not that hard but you need it to get a learners permit.
   
4. If you've done any driving for any length of time in the US or elsewhere you'll pass the test without a problem.
   

I have a hazard perception CD somewhere (mock test), I'll dig out for you.

T

Cancel that I can't find it, I'll ask my girlfriend when she gets back as it's hers and she may of put it somewhere safe . I'm sure there will be a torrent somewhere though.

the books and training videos are downloadable via torrents if you do such things.
dvla are out to make your life hell so make sure you have everything correct on your forms.
mine came back twice after I paid the post office to check everything the first time I sent it.

I agree with this, same thing happened with me at the post office.

Also the people at my theory test office were really anal about my signature being 100% correct apparently you only get 3 tries at getting it correct as well.

one week, intensive crash-course? I've had a few friends do these, and pass. Expensive way of doing it though.

i think the pass rate is way low though. so you might want to book up two just in case. good luck.

Right finally got my licence, 40 hours tutition after never having driven before.

I recommend these guys: http://carcaptain.com/Intensive_driving.html
(Expensive but very professional, take care of all the test booking and other rigmarole)

For lessons(not a package as above), these two guys:
Chris: (oh) 79512(nine)0158
Johan: (oh) 79176(oh)8174
(Both really laid back but great teaching styles, not jumping all over the pedals whenever you make a mistake.)

I am now going out to put the fear into some cyclists.