This is a common point of confusion. The two books are different tools:
Your Complete Guide to The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills the official dvsa guide to driving the essential skills pdf
In short: You memorize the Highway Code for the theory test. You study The Essential Skills to learn how to drive a car safely for the practical test—and for the rest of your life. This is a common point of confusion
Often, the official PDF is cheaper than the printed book. Some third-party driving apps even bundle the PDF with hazard perception tests for a fraction of the price of a single driving lesson. the official dvsa guide to driving the essential skills pdf