Where Do I Start?

It may be a little confusing to know where to start! 

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You need to have a provisional licence to start driving and I will ask you for a licence check code before you start driving, so I can confirm your entitlement to drive. You can apply for a provisional licence when you are 15 years & 9 months old. It costs £34 to apply online, and £43 to apply by post (prices correct as of August 2019). You can find the link on how to apply under FAQ section.

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Choosing a driving instructor can be difficult! You may want to ask your friends who they learnt to drive with, and you may want to contact a couple of instructors to see how you feel about them. I am always more than happy to have a chat with you so that you can make sure that I am the right instructor for you.

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What to expect on your lessons

Having a first lesson can be a little nerve wracking, and maybe you'd like to know what to expect?

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You only need to bring your provisional driving licence. You may bring a bottle of water/squash if you would like to.

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On your first lesson, I will drive us to somewhere quiet, where we can practice and get you started. 

Some people have had driving experience before and some haven't - and that's ok.

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If you have driven before, I'll ask a few questions to establish your current level of driving, and we'll go for a drive around a quiet area. I can watch your driving and you can get used to driving my car. We can then work on developing any areas which you feel you need to practice, and we'll perfect any areas that you've already got the hang of. Lessons following our first will be continuing developing and challenging your weaknesses, and enhancing your strengths. 

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If you haven't driven before, we'll go through the basics of driving a car. First of all, we'll look at the 'Cockpit Drill'. This is making sure the car is set up for your use, such as ensuring the seat is adjusted for you, the head restraint is adjusted, the mirrors, etc.

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Following this, we'll look at the controls of the car - such as what the controls do, which pedals are which, what they do and how to use them.

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On your first lesson, you will be driving if you feel comfortable doing so. It will be a quiet residential road or on the Trading Estate in Westbury, and I have dual control pedals to assist if need be. This will be taken at your own pace. Your driving on your first lesson will mostly consist of moving off and stopping to practice using the pedals. We may also look at basic junctions. 

If you're rather nervous and would prefer not to drive on your first lesson, that's ok too! We can take it slowly at a pace to suit you.

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Please talk to me if you have any particular concerns about your driving. I'll be happy to accommodate anything that may help you feel more comfortable when starting your lessons. 

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On our lessons following your first, we will aim to introduce different subjects such as junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, dual carriageways, parking, and so on. How quickly we introduce these things will depend on your progress - and it's important to note that there is no minimum or maximum amount of hours you must have - everyone is different and learns at a different pace. I am very patient, calm, and understanding.  

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I will also encourage you to take your theory test as soon as you can, of you haven't passed it before starting lessons. Practising for your theory test alongside your practical lessons will enable you to put your theory knowledge into practise, and put your practical knowledge into your theory. Please be aware that there is a long waiting time for practical tests in our area. The current wait time as of Aug 2023 is around 24 weeks.

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Before your practical test day we will do a couple of mock tests, if you want to do them, where we practice as if we were doing a real test. By doing mock tests we can look at how close you are to being able to pass a real driving test, and we can spot any areas which need improving before the big day.

i understand that doing your practical driving test can be daunting, and maybe even scary! Please talk to me if you are particularly nervous about the test - again, I can help you in many ways.

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Our lessons WILL be fun and exciting. I will do anything I can to help make your learning fun and relaxing whilst trying to get you through your driving test as quickly and as safely as possible. My aim is to get your driving to a standard which is INDEPENDENT, SAFE and RESPONSIBLE.

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If you have any questions about your lessons, please talk to me. 

If you are particularly nervous or have any concerns, and feel that I could do something extra to help you, please do get in touch.

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I look forward to teaching you and supporting you to become a safe driver.