Training Options

Learner Lessons

Learning to drive from scratch can be a scary challenge. I am experienced at introducing new learners (both nervous and confident) to the roads for the first time using an enjoyable and proven program of training. The lessons are tailored to suite each individual and take advantage of your individual learning style. After a brief introduction to the controls and instruments you will soon be moving the car away and stopping again, under your own control, but always with the support of an instructor who can take over at any time. Before long you will be learning about junctions and roundabouts, and how to deal with other traffic, and pretty soon the basic car control will become second nature. The program of lessons then moves on to look at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, country roads, hills, in fact all of the features of modern roads. At the same time you will also be practicing the reversing maneuvers - the turn-in-the-road (or three point turn), reversing into an opening, and parking - until you are able to take on any challenge the roads can throw at you.

Support With Theory

As well as learning car control it is important to understand the rules of the road, and to know how to anticipate problems before they happen. The theory test is designed to check your knowledge of these important areas, and it includes a multiple choice question-and-answer section, and a hazard perception section. I will help you prepare for this by making sure you have the correct resources, explaining items you may not understand, encouraging and checking your level of knowledge, and relating the theory and hazard perception to real-life situations on the road during lessons.

Practical Test Preparation

Once you have mastered the car control, and have shown an understanding of the rules of the road and hazard perception, you will be ready to apply for your practical driving test. Your learning program so far has followed a list of "competencies", and these are what you will be tested on before you can earn a full licence. I will prepare you for your test and ensure that you understand what to expect on the day. Each of the maneuvers will be practiced until you are confident of success, and a series of mock or mini tests can be conducted so you are familiar with what the examiner will expect, how they will give you instructions, and what they will be looking for during your drive. You will use the same car for your test as you have been using for your lessons, and I will be there on the day to help you warm up (and to celebrate when you hear the result!).

Remedial and Corrective

For those people who have not been successful on a previous test attempt I can provide a series of lessons targeted at correcting the specific problems that occurred during the previous test. Problems may have been due to nerves, a misunderstanding of some requirement, or a specific skill that needs further development. Whether you have have learned with me, a different instructor, or a friend or family member, I can help you target, and overcome, the problems.

Pass Plus

Once you have passed, and are a full licence holder, you should take advantage of a scheme that can help you reduce insurance costs, and start you on some more advanced driving (including motorway driving). The Government sponsored Pass Plus scheme does this by following a (minimum) 6 hour program of advanced driving including motorway, country, night time, bad weather, and busy town driving. I am fully qualified to teach and assess Pass Plus, and believe that this scheme is a great and fun way to gain important experience that is not available to learners.

Full Licence Holders

Refresher and Advanced Training

If you passed your test some time ago and have not driven for a while, or are planning a journey that includes unfamiliar roads, or simply want to review and improve your existing skills, then book some refresher or advanced training sessions. Use them to learn about motorway driving; driving in busy city centers, or narrow country roads; or simply to get a fresh perspective on your skill and iron out some bad habits. Driving is not a static skill - the roads are constantly changing with new features, new approaches to safety, and increased traffic volumes, coupled with a fresh need to drive in environmentally friendly ways (and save yourself some money on fuel in the process).  Many experienced drivers have a very high level of vehicle control, but they can forget some basic safety skills. An advanced training session will help identify ways that you can increase your own safety, and save some fuel in the process.