So why should I choose to learn from you?
I will put gentle but consistent pressure on you to improve as a driver until you reach test standard.
I will always push you just beyond your comfort zone, so maximum learning takes place, without you getting too stressed out.
I have a sense of humour and my lessons are peppered with laughs.
I will encourage you to take your test as soon as you are ready.
In return for my services you are gaining a lifelong skill that will benefit your life enormously.
I'm a nervous kind of person, won't your style stress me out?
I am good with nervous pupils.
When I say, I will always push you beyond your comfort zone, this is the only way to learn anything. I am a patient man, who is sensitive to the anxiety you may feel, while learning on the road. However, I won't take you for a ride, so that you end up taking lesson after lesson, without really improving. I'm sure you still want to get to test standard as efficiently as possible.
There are always some anxious moments while learning to drive but you will discover that I am one of the calmest people you have ever met and I can pass that calmness onto you while you are behind the wheel.
So what does learning to drive involve?
You need to be taught by a professional trainer.
Be careful to only book your test through the official DSA or DirectGov websites as you will be charged a middle man fee for using some sites to book your test.
Warning: Don't use: TheoryTest.net or BookTest.co.uk or BookYourPracticalTestOnline.co.uk or any other site to book your tests. You will pay more than you should and the booking may not actually occur!
Can my Mum or Dad or friend teach me to drive?
There are times when relatives and friends have successfully taught pupils to drive without any help from a professional trainer, but most of the time it is likely to end up in frustration.
Here are the problems:
1. The details - Experienced drivers lack knowlegde in the details that a learner needs to know in order to pass their driving test.
2. Emotions and temperament - When learning from or teaching someone to drive who is close to you, emotions can run high. Before I became an instructor, I tried to teach my wife to drive. Big mistake! I stopped to save my marriage!
3. Bad habits - All drivers have habits, the experienced driver will pass the habits good or bad onto the learner.
4. Your relatives, especially parents, took the test in the dinosaur age and the test has changed quite a bit since then. They may not be up to date on the latest requirements of the driving test.
5. Communication skills - It is one thing to know how to drive, it is another to pass those skills onto a novice.
For example: When I teach a new driver how to approach a junction to turn left, these are the words that will be coming out of my mouth:
Ok Stan, check your centre and left mirrors, anyone behind us? put your left signal on, right foot off the gas, cover your footbrake and clutch but don't press them until I say so, press the brake the width of a pound coin, left hand on the gear stick, left foot down all the way on the clutch, change gear from 3 to 2, hand back on the steering wheel, right foot off the brake, clutch smoothly up, check those 2 mirrors again, right foot back on the gas just the thickness of a pound coin, steer 1/2 a turn on your steering wheel, that's enough, unsteer to straight. Check all your mirrors again, anyone behind us? gas the thickness of another pound coin.
What you see above is me driving with my mouth. You'd be surprised how even heavy footed, poorly coordinated and unsporty people, who can't catch a tennis ball to save their life, can actually drive quite safely because they just do what I tell them to do and as they get better I don't have to be so detailed.
Compare this now with Dad teaching his daughter.
Ok Sweetie, I want you to turn left here...........no no, here!............never mind we will turn left at the next one...................................slow down...........slow down!..... I didn't say stop! Looked you stalled!...Start the engine.........take it out gear first!...........or put the clutch down............clutch or gear? it's up to you............ok......off you go............no, no thats 3rd gear..............you stalled again!......what do you mean stop shouting at me, I'm not shouting at you!......come on we have been through this a dozen times already........
I'm not saying every relative and friend is an absolute 'bozo' at teaching driving skills, but experienced drivers do everything behind the wheel with having to think too much about it, so they don't know how to communicate those skills across to a novice very effectively.
How about having a relative help me to learn, after I have had some lessons with a professional?
This is a good idea. Once you have learned the basics and you have reached a reasonable level of confidence on the roads, practicing with someone you know is a great way to improve. They wouldn't need to teach you anything, they can sit there in the passenger seat and offer you a bit of advice from time to time. It shouldn't be too stressful for both of you. Continue to get professional training.
What if I want to learn really quickly? Do you do or recommend intensive courses?
It suits some and not others. I would be willing to conduct an intensive course on the following conditions:
1. I'll need to check my dairy to see if I'm available to give you intensive lessons
2. Give yourself a minimum of 4 weeks.
3. You've need to have already passed your theory test.
4. I'll give you an assessment lesson. This will be enable me to assess whether or not you have the temperament to take intensive training with me. If I agree, Then you can book your practical test straight away.
Can you guarantee that I will pass?
My promise to you is that I will teach you everything you need to know to be a safe and courteous driver, and if you drive safely and courteously when you take your test, you will pass.
The only thing I can't do is take the test for you.
I've been told there's a maximum quota of passes each week when examiners conduct driving tests. Is this true?
That's bull****
If you drive to the required standard you will pass.
I've been told that if I get Mr Whatshisname that he is really strict and he won't pass me. Is this true?
That's bull****
If you drive to the required standard you will pass.
I've been told that examiners are evil trolls. Is this true?
There is the odd one that looks like a troll, but that's not their fault is it?
How do I know that you are qualified to be a driving instructor?
All driving instructors have to take 3 exams to be qualified to teach. Theory, Practical and Instructional. The tests are to a very high standard. After passing all three test within a maximum period of two years the DSA issue a green badge that a qualified instructor must display in the windscreen while he or she is charging to teach driving.
After qualifying, all driving instructors are checked by the DSA on a regular basis. A senior examiner sits in the back of a lesson conducted by instructor to assess the instructors ongoing ability to do his job. This is to maintain high standards. A grade is then awarded and a certificate is issued.
I'll show you my badge and certificate if you ask me.
There are 6 grades of instructor:
1 - Rubbish, officially graded as dangerous, these instructors will be check tested again very quickly and if they don't improve they will be struck off the DSA's register.
2 - Poor, these instructors must improve with a few months or they too will be struck off. They will be check tested again in about 3 - 6 months.
3 - Substandard, these instructors aren't terrible, but they must improve in order to continue as instructors. They will be check tested again usually within a year.
E - This is a 1, 2 or 3 grade on a check test conducted on an instructor within the first year of them qualifying. Since the instructor was not up to standard, but only recently qualified they get an E for educational grade where they will be given detailed feedback on areas they need to improve. They will be check tested again in a few months to a couple of years, where they will be given a grade.
4 - Competent, these instructors are deemed by the DSA to be good enough to teach people to drive. They will be check tested again in about 2 years.
5 - Good, these instructors are good at what they do in the opinion of the DSA and are considerably above the standard required to instruct. (top 30%) They don't need to check tested again for another 4 years. (I'm graded 5)
6 - Very good, these instructors have been assessed by the DSA to be the best instructors in the country. (top 6%) They also don't need to be check tested again for about 4 years.
If someone claims to be a grade 6, insist on seeing their grading certificate.
There are also ungraded instructors who qualified quite recently who have yet to be check tested by the DSA
There are also unqualified instructors who are training, who can teach pupils for money. They have a pink badge, not a green one.
Don't just believe someone who says they are qualified and have a high grade, get them to show you their badge and the grade on their certificate.
There are also a fair number of illegal instructors. Always ask the instructor to show you their badge. Take note of the number and if you have any doubts call the DSA and give them the name and number. My DSA ADI number is 348373
Our responsibility as drivers is to stay alive and protect life