FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Money Back Guarantee

If you are not completely happy with your first hour of instruction we will drop you off back at home
and there will be no charge for the lesson. We can offer this as we work hard at making sure every lesson is enjoyable and excellent value.

Which areas do you cover?

We cover all areas of the UK including Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Birmingham.

Prices

One of the best bits of advice we can give is to beware of any school advertising extremely cheap lessons. The price you pay for lessons will reflect the quality of the instruction and the reputation of the school. We only use instructors with a proven track record and who work at continually updating their skills with additional qualifications and courses.  We are committed to making sure you pass your test first time and with a minimum number of lessons.

In our experience, pupils who start with one of the cheap and cheerful schools later come to us when they find they are not enjoying lessons or making progress towards the driving test.

What cars do you use?

We mostly use a range of fully air conditioned cars including Mini Coopers, Toyota Aygos and Ford Fiesta with He-Man dual controls.  All our cars are chosen because of their suitability as  learner cars.

What's the quickest way to pass my test?

You can book your theory test for around your 17th birthday and help prepare for it by attending our theory test workshop. You can also prepare yourself for driving by taking some off-road lessons to learn about controlling the car, the driving test and manoeuvres.

Once you are 17, you can take an intensive course, after which you should be at at high enough
standard to put in for your practical driving test. There is usually around a four week wait for driving test dates and you should take your remaining lessons during this waiting period. The whole process should take 4-6 weeks.

How much of my lesson will I actually spend driving?

Your first lesson may take 30 minutes or so to get moving, but after that you will spend nearly
100% of your lesson on the move. Our lessons are full one hour lessons, and in the unlikely event
your instructor is running late, they will overrun the lesson.

Do you have a driving test pass guarantees scheme?

No. Driving schools who offer this usually have small print you need to be aware, for example you may be required to take an additional 10 hours of training before paying 50% towards your next test fee, so even if you don't pass you will find it is more expensive in the long run and you will then be tied in with that school.

The most economical way to pass the test is to make sure you are fully prepared with a first class instructor and aim to pass first time.

Pass Rates

The average pass rate in the UK is around 40% - we ask our instructors to maintain a pass rate
of at least 66%.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel a lesson, we request 24 hours notice if you would like a refund.  For intensive courses we require notice in writing 7 days prior to commencing the course.

How many lessons will I need?

This can vary, but the average with our school is between 25-35 hours. The national average (According to the dsa's own statistics ) is 45 hours (correct as of 12 June 2009). Be extremely wary of an instructor that says that they can get you test ready in less than 25 hours.  Practicing between lessons will drastically reduce the time you need to spend on lessons, but you should still take a minimum of 25 hours with a qualified instructor - see below.

Gimmicks

Some driving schools may use 'gimmicks' to make their lesson prices look more attractive, such as free cd-roms and fast pass information packs. There is no substitute for good instruction and time behind the wheel.  The only materials we recommend are ones approved by the Driving Standards Agency.

Some schools offer a "test pass guarantee", where the school will pay half of your next test fee (around £30) should you fail your first attempt.  This doesn't seem so attractive if you have to take an additional 10 hours or more of lessons (plus a further 2 hours on test day), because you weren't trained to a good standard first time around. 

Should I practice in between lessons?

Yes and no. We suggest you complete at least 10 hours with an instructor before practicing with
friends or family, but after that you should gain as much experience as you can. Bad habits
learned early on are very hard to break and may stay with you right upto test day (even after you have had proper instruction). As you approach your test you should increase the frequency of your lessons to ensure a first time pass.

How often should I take lessons?

We strongly recommend at least a two hour lesson each week - pupils who only take one hour can
often take many months to pass their test. Most people can certainly cope with more hours, so if you want to pass quickly you might want to take anything up to 20 hours a week.

Should I learn in an automatic?

If you prefer to drive automatic then that's fine, but remember in an emergency you may wish you
had learned to drive manual. Often, people who swap from learning manual to automatic (because they struggle with gears), have recieved poor instruction.  Gears should be no problem for almost anybody provided they recieve good tuition.

I'm struggling to learn - I don't think I can ever pass my test

We've heard this many, many times - you need to change your instructor now! There are no bad pupils only poor teachers. Anybody can pass the driving test first time with the right help. Increasing your lessons to a minimum of two hours a week will also make the difference. 

What will my instructor be like?

All our instructors are friendly and enthusiastic and we only employ the very best.  Most of the instructors who work for us, have also been trained by us and are generally aged 30-40. You may have heard stories of instructors who become frustrated or shout - we promise this will never happen with our school, we only work with instructors who are passionate about teaching to a high standard.

I just want to pass my test - I can learn to drive properly afterwards

This is a receipe for disaster. Your first goal should be to become confident and safe behind the wheel, once you are there then you can start working towards the driving test. There are no short cuts to learning to drive - you will need experience, knowledge and a good attitude to get through the test.

Can I start driving before I've done my Theory Test?

Yes, having lessons will actually help you with your theory. Learning both in parallel is usually recommended. Try our Theory workshop if you want a guaranteed pass and want to minimise the time it will take you to prepare for the exam.

Can you book the Practical Test for me?

Yes we can, but it is usually best for students to book the test as we don't know when you will be available.

What times are you available?

Our instructors are available at all times (including weekends and evenings) as we each have our own schedules.  We may be able to fit lessons in at short notice, but we usually recommend booking at least 7 days in advance to avoid disappointment.

Are there any other pupils in the car?

No. We do not pick up or drop off other pupils in your time, although if you would like to share lessons with a friend that can be arranged.