Driving Lessons

So you want to learn to drive.

Have you got a Provisional Driving Licence? You can apply up to 3 months before you’re 17.  Apply here.

How’s your eyesight? Can you read a number plate at 20.5 metres?

Have you got a car? No? I will provide a new Fiat 500 1.2 petrol, ‘Car of The Year 2008′ and to quote Which? magazine “has been much-hyped, but justifiably so: its safety is particularly impressive, with a five-star score in the Euro NCAP crash tests. It’s also fun to drive; it corners with enthusiasm and grip is good; it’s easy to park in tiny spaces.” My car has dual controls and is fully insured.  Yes? I would always recommend that lessons are taken in a school car, certainly in the early stages, but the more time you spend behind the wheel the better.

The Driving Test. Currently the driving test is made up of 2 parts, Theory and Practical.

The Theory consists of 2 parts; 50 questions based on the Highway Code and Hazard Perception consisting of 14 videos in which you have to identify the developing hazard.

You cannot book your practical test until you have passed your theory.

The Practical test is essentially a test of your ability to drive a car unsupervised in varying traffic and road conditions and complete a couple of manoeuvres.  To find out more click ‘Information‘

If all you want to do is pass your test then I am not the right instructor for you because there are many things that I teach, which are not directly part of the test, but make the best drivers.

There are 2 parts to driving, the first being the physical skills and the second attitude; the most skilful drivers are not always the best unless they apply those skills to the benefit of other road users.  If we take signaling as an example, it is normal to teach basic signals as part of a routine, which is satisfactory for the test but we should really always be asking ourselves is a signal necessary and who will benefit from my signal; this requires us to make meaningful observations which will ultimately keep us safe.  The most common cause of test failure, is a failure to observe.

How long will it take? Everyone is different but in my experience the average teenager will take about 10-15 hours to become comfortable with the physical driving of the car and another 20-30 hours to handle all traffic conditions and achieve satisfactory awareness and planning, assuming no previous driving experience.  I believe that the current DSA figures are some 45 hours of tuition plus some 20 hours of private practice.  Very few people are actually average.

How many lessons a week? A very popular way to learn is to have one 2 hour lesson per week.  The 2 hour lesson is the most cost effective providing a balance between traveling time and the intensity of learning new skills; and weekly allows you to budget and for the consolidation of skills between lessons.

Intensive courses are worth considering if you have had some previous driving experience.  For example, you may have failed your test before going to Uni. and now, 3 years later, you need your licence.

Advanced Driving Courses are for those who wish to take their driving to the next level.  You would be required to become a member of the local RoADAR group of RoSPA at a cost of £10 pa. and tuition is undertaken in your car.

Pass Plus Courses are for newly qualified drivers to experience additional skills not previously covered such as, but not only, Motorway driving and lasts a minimum of 6 hours.  You will drive on the M25 usually during the evening rush hour; it is better to have your first experience of such conditions with someone qualified to advise you.