Driving Schools Directory
We have mentioned this before that the only proper way to book either your driving theory test or driving practical test is to to do it directly via the Governments website or phone numbers.
They have now confirmed this directly on their website and warn against ‘copycat’ websites that often charge a surcharge for the privilege of booking the tests.
Alastair Peoples, DSA Chief Executive, said:
It’s unacceptable that some of these websites try to trick learner drivers into paying an extra fee to book their driving test.
We’ve already taken action with Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority to make sure that they don’t use official logos, trademarks or make misleading claims. We continue to monitor these sites and explore new ways to counteract activities.
via Learner drivers warned about extra charges – News stories – GOV.UK.
The current official cost for booking tests is:
- Theory Test – £31 (www.gov.uk/booktheorytest)
- Practical Test – £62 (www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest)
These are expensive enough without paying additional charges to an unofficial website!
Towns
You will want to list ALL the towns and villages you cover no matter how insignificant you feel they may be – it is amazing what some people will search for. A standard listing can list 100 towns and a Featured Listing 1000 towns.
There is no point in having something like ‘Staines and all surrounding areas’. Your potential pupils will not be searching for terms like that. If they were to search for Laleham (a small village near Staines) then your listing would not be found.
Post Codes
Post codes can and should be listed also. Again, please list all the post codes you cover.
Additional Information
Please also use the ‘Additional School Information’ wisely. Your listing is essentially an advert for your driving school – we guess you have listed your school as you want more business? Try and include as much information about your driving school, especially anything that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Review the other driving school listings that cover your towns and ask yourself, “Who would I possibly choose from these listings if I were learning to drive?”.
General
Don’t complete your listing all in capitals / upper case – it is harder for people to read and they will likely skip on to the next listing.
(DON’T COMPLETE YOUR LISTING ALL IN CAPITALS – UPPER CASE – IT IS HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO READ AND THEY WILL LIKELY SKIP ON TO THE NEXT LISTING – SEE WHAT WE MEAN?).
If you use commas, always put in a space after it – again, it is easier to read.
(If you use commas,always put in a space after it-again,it is easier to read,see what we mean?).
If you have a Featured Listing, try and ensure that you upload a suitable graphic – perhaps your logo or training car. Visitors are attracted to pictures.
Answer 1
My name is Jane and I am a driving instructor and read your question, which is quite difficult to answer, but i’ll try. If you have been learning for a year and had 80 lessons then i am assuming you started with two a week and have dropped to one? This will take you longer as you will find with a whole week passing between lessons it is easy to forget what you learnt the week before and may have to re-cap on it. Each time you change instructor you are loosing time already spent on each subject as the instructor has to cover the syllabus and make sure you have been taught correctly…..so try not to change as that will help you get there quicker..as long as you like and get on well with your instructor!
After 80 lessons you should not be too far off from a test but each individual is different. Basically to be test standard you should be able to drive your instructor round for the hour lesson with an OCCASIONAL prompt …. you should be able to do all the exercises on your own.When you can do this consistently ( i.e every lesson ) and safely then you should be ready for your test. Hope this helps Jane M & M Driving School
Answer 2
There is a big difference between driving and driving to test standard. What your instructor is saying is that you are able to move a car about, but not to what the DSA regard as a safe standard.
Typical ‘failings’ include simply not looking (over 51% of test fails according to the DSA), speeding, mounting the kerb (on manoeuvres normally).
The sad fact is that many people who do have a licence fail to adhere to the safe system they have been taught – hence we still kill around 3,000 people a year in the roads in the UK alone.
Driving is the 3rd most dangerous (likely to kill you) job in the UK. Only Deep sea fishing and mining kill more each year.
Answer 3
What you need to find out is exactly what it is that you are not up to test standard on. Is it junctions, i.e. roundabouts or anticipation and planning, when you find out exactly what it is that you are not up to test standard on then you can start working towards a goal, it can take longer for some then others, but ask what is keeping you back.
karen
aa driving school
More information: http://www.lrnsafe.co.uk
Answer 4
Unfortunately it is not possible to say how long any individual will take to reach test standard. However, a good driving instructor will be able to provide you with two mechanisms to monitor your own progress.
1) They will maintain a record card or list. This is a list of skills and topics that you need to master in order to be able to pass your test. For each skill or topic, there will be a rating skill, the one I use is the AA’s 5 point scale from 1 Introduced to 5 Independent. When you have reached 5 in all skills and topics, you are ready to sit your test. If you find you are not making progress with your record card, you need to have a serious chat with your instructor as to how to get out of the rut. The DSA is talking about making record cards compulsory. It is good practice for the pupil to keep a copy of the record card so that if they change instructor for any reason, the new instructor knows where to start from.
2) Get the instructor to give you a mock test. The instructor will play the part of the examiner and mark you on a lesson that simulates the test as accurately as possible. This often gives both the pupil and the instructor an idea of strengths and weaknesses and going over issues that come up in a mock test often helps both pupil and instructor know what is required to move forward.
David Cruickshank, www.daves-driving.com
Answer 1
The Question should be, Why are some Instructors so cheap? Do not be fooled to think you are “necessarily” saving money by choosing the cheapest!Instructors that are charging more for lessons are often giving better value for money and do not give big discounts as they are giving better quality lessons which save you money in the long term as you will generally need fewer lessons.Do you’re homework before committing yourself ask people who have had or are taking lessons their opinion, Ask when making inquiries what you are will be learning/doing on your first few lessons or you might find you spend most of the time sat in a car going nowhere!
Answer 2
Either :-
a) Because they genuinely feel that they provide a service of a quality that merits it – a good instructor will minimise the number of lessons you need whilst at the same time maximising your safety – even after passing your test.
b) They work for a company that has a fixed pricing structure
c) the market in their area is such that they can ask for a higher rate. An example of this being automatics – the scarcity of automatic instructors allows them to charge a premium.
Answer 3
Most instructors will charge what they think their expertize is worth. To find the best for you ask other pupils of the instructors, if there are none walk away.
Answer 4
Some instructors charge more due to different factors
The amount going out from the business to pay for advertising. The bigger the company the more the cost
The amount of instructors in the company (More wages to pay out)
Whether the company is VAT registered or not
Some company’s will have a franchise deal where they will provide an instructor with a car and they obviously have to cover the costs rather than the instructor himself. This will reflect in the franchise price package to the instructor. If an instructor supplies his own car, he will have a smaller franchise fee.
Smaller one man company’s can run on lower costs as they operate on “word of mouth ” or recommendations from previous successful pupils.
I hope this will helps.
More information: http://www.the-instructor.com
Answer 5
Some are private instructors who have there own business and some work for national schools. I would recommend that providing they have green ADI badge on display in there windscreen, then provided your happy with your instructor and the car for tuition the this would be the best deal for you.
More information: http://www.excelaratedrivingschoolcoleshill.co.uk
Your son can apply for his licence up to 3 months before his 17th birthday, but it only becomes valid ON his 17th birthday.
So the earliest he could take his theory test is his 17th birthday. However, he can start studying for his theory test as soon as he likes.
He can also start driving lessons under 17 on private roads. We offer practical driving lessons from age 15 on our private road system.
These lessons follow the DSA syllabus and are given in dual controlled cars, by approved driving instructors (ADIs) fully insured for off road training. They are also supported by lesson handouts to review, reinforce and revise the lesson content.
Having practical lessons at age 16 would help your son with understanding the theory as well as allowing him to gain confidence an competence in car control and procedures before venturing out onto public roads for the first time.
More information: http://DriveAt15.com
In theory it is not a serious fault if the manouvre was under control and observations safe. However, if the road was wide enough to undertake the manouvre in 3 points, then it is likely to result in a serious fault. A 7 Point turn may be required if the road is very narrow.
Comment by Trevor Moore:
I always say that the examiner takes into account the width of the road and the size of the car. Some cars have excellant turning circles, others don’t. They don’t call it a three point turn anymore because of this. Quick steering to full lock and very slow movement of the car is the key.