Lifestyle Driving Test Deluxe review

This software pack consists of five programs that combine to give you an unbeatable resource of practical and theoretical information: Driving Test Theory; Driving Test Practical; Driving Test Hazard Perception and Route Finder Third Edition UK and Ireland.

Bought separately, they would cost you five pounds more than this combined package.

Driving Test Theory contains the Driving Standards Authority's entire database of test questions. All the software does is ask you the questions, allowing you to learn by constant repetition. If you're stuck, it can give you hints. When you're ready, you can take a timed mock examination, which is useful if you want to gauge your readiness for the real thing. As well as the main British car driving test, the software also includes the British test for motorbike riders. As if that weren't enough, it also includes the same two tests for Northern Ireland. An electronic copy of the Highway Code is thrown in too.

Closely integrated into the theory test software is the hazard perception program. By using video clips, each of which features a 'developing hazard', the video trains you to spot dangerous situations. When you spot a problem, you click on the screen with your left mouse button. The software registers your response. After each exercise, it calculates your score and breaks down your performance in the same way an examiner would.

The practical test software consists of eight modules starting with "get to know your car" and ending with "the practical driving skills test". Each one uses videos, illustrations and diagrams to teach you about your car, its controls and the correct way to handle your vehicle in various situations.

The set is completed by the journey-planning software Route Finder. This contains a full set of road maps for the UK and Ireland. You simply enter your starting point and your destination, and the software calculates the best route to take and how long your journey will last.

Route Finder's database isn't, however, as complete as we'd have liked. In theory, it allows you to search for any part of a street or place name, but we typed in the names of several well-known London streets and it couldn't find them. This wasn't a major problem - we could get around it by typing in the name of the relevant borough and finding the nearest major road.

The test software is well presented and does the job. The videos and other learning aids are comprehensive, and show you exactly how to go about each task. The questions are drawn from the official tests, so all you really need to do is use this software repeatedly and you should learn everything you need to know to pass your test. Well, that's the theory, anyway...