Friday 25 September 2015

Learning to drive with anxiety!!!!

Learning to drive can be a nerve racking experience, even if you do not have anxiety. Imagine what it must feel like making contact with someone you don’t know, the first lesson, how can I trust this person!!

I teach many pupils who suffer from anxiety or are extremely nervous, and guess what they all pass. So how do I know how to cope with these, for one I have suffered from anxiety from a young age, I understand how it feels to meet new people, and why people get so defensive on a first meeting. WHY because I DO THIS TOO.


It also helps me empathise with them on test day, as again they have to meet someone new and have them asses their driving for 40 or so minute.

So when you think its nerve racking, think how it feels when you have anxiety on top!

Monday 6 July 2015

Sunday 22 March 2015

A little respect for today's learner drivers

Did you take driving lessons/take a driving test, YES. Well then read on.
I have now been in the industry just over 3 years, and for me one of my biggest grips is the total lack of respect given to learner drivers, and yes I was probably one of them at some point.
My point is there is allot of traffic around now a days and combine that with aggressive driving, shouting and rude gestures, I can make learning even more stressful.














Let me explain. A learner approaching a busy roundabout for the first time, they can do it easily on quieter roundabouts, but now it’s time to try a bigger busier beast.  Their judgement is not quite 100% yet and feel a little nervous approaching, everything I technically right with no mistakes until, YOU sit right up our rear bumper and they stall. They can then see you mouthing off something. Guess what that piles on the pressure 100% and they stall, whilst all this is going on I am trying to keep them calm and reassure them they can do it, and all they need to do is not rush the pull away, this works in most cases. But then YOU hit your horn as YOU are the most important person on the planet, and your appointment at McDonalds will be delayed 5 seconds. Again a stall, this prompts you so drive aggressively around my pupil, and makes the matter even worse.


  • Did you have to pass a test? Then this was you once!
  • How would you feel if someone did this to your son or daughter.
  • If this is YOU, then listen, the more pressure you put on my pupil the more you will be stuck behind us!
  • Show a little consideration for them, as your only making yourself look STUPID in full HD as I have front and rear dash cams, and so do many other ADI’s



So next time you get stuck behind us, take a deep breath and think of how much quicker we will go if you just calm down and let us get on with it.

Friday 30 January 2015

Driving in snow and ice - Never to old to learn.

So winter is now here proper and there is snow and ice in lot's of places in the UK. There are also lots pf drivers who believe they do not have to change their driving style to suit!

As i dropped a pupil off after a test it started so snow quite heavily, covering the ground quickly. The journey home is about three miles on country roads/lanes. I know i used second, even third to pull away after stopping, and did not come out of second gear the most of the way home.

The scary thing was watching other drivers slipping and sliding all over the road from driving too fast and hitting the brakes too hard.

My advice would be even if you have been driving for years, why not get some advice on how to drive in these conditions, and remember the old saying an old dog can learn new tricks.

Stay safe out there this winter.

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Driving lesson prices - Half price lessons

Half price Driving lessons in Banbury & Daventry areas for first time learners. I also offer discounts for block bookings, and NSU card holders. Please call, text or email for more information.

Your First driving lesson is half price

I believe in giving value for money, and every lessons I tailored for the pupil to achieve this goal. .Driving lesson is usually two hours long, this enables you to get to your goal of getting a full license faster, plus two hours are more productive, although I can do one hour lesson to suit your pocket, or if you find two hours a little long to start with.
You can pay with Credit/debit card, in the car for your convenience, or cash. Witch ever you prefer.

First lesson Half Price. Two for one £25
Standard one hour lesson rate £25
Standard two hours lesson £50
6 hours and receive 5% discount £142.50
10 hours and receive a 10% discount £225
20 Hours and receive a 15% discount £425


Pay in car with cash, Visa, Master Card



Fast secure chip and pin.
Click here to pay on my site via PayPal, the easy and safe way to pay.

Student Discount

Receive a 10% discount on two standard lesson rates, on production of an NUS student card....

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Satnavs in driving lessons, Banbury and Daventry

Driving lessons Banbury, Daventry
Sat Nav's are a part of every day driving and therefore i teach my pupils how to use them safely, on their lessons in Banbury and Daventry. There is also talk of them being introduced as part of the practical test, don't panic just yet as it will be over 18 months if anything is to change. But it is being trialed now.

I here instructors moaning and groaning about the change (nothing new there then lol), but change is good if it benefits the pupils and therefore makes them a safer driver for life.

During my lessons i get my pupils to drive from one side of town to the other using the satnav. Easy i here you all say, well i hate to be the barer of bad news but 99% of them have an issue or two.

Think of it this way we give them directions a set way, "at the end of the road", "take the next road", not to dissimilar to how the Examiner does it. A sat nav on the other had, may say "in a quarter of a mile", "in 1000 feet"! It may also not warn you of a slight junction and just tell you to follow the road to the left (what if is a give way)! the pupil now thinks it's bear left!

So before you think there is no point try it and see how they react. For those of you learning but your instructor does not think it's worthwhile, insist on it, of if you my way, give me a call

Monday 5 January 2015

Driving lessons Banbury, Daventry, Driving test, Banbury, Rugby - THE FACTS.

Driving lessons Banbury


Practicing driving

It's common for learner drivers to have a mix of professional and private lessons with a friend or relative. Whilst practicing you’re driving with a parent or friend shouldn't be a replacement for professional lessons, it is good practice and any extra time spent toward taking your practical test can be a real help. I will also add that in some circumstances the dynamic of a son/daughter in the car does not work, and if this is the case it should not be pushed, as it can lead to the pupil not wanting to drive at all.


I also have no issue and openly invite any parent to sit in on a lesson, I can also sit in on private practice. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have


If you do plan to put in some extra practice outside of private lessons, there are a few important points to remember:


· You must hold a British provisional driving licence


· Anyone you practice with must be aged 21 or over and have had (and still does have) a full driving licence for at least 3 years


· You must clearly display 'L' plates on the vehicle you're learning in.


· You must be insured to drive the vehicle you'll be practicing in


· When supervising, you must stay calm and give clear instructions. Learner drivers do not respond to shouting very well, and in some cases can hold them back.


· The learner is in control, by this I mean they should practice anything that they have learnt already or having issues with, mirrors is a classic example. If in doubt ask the professional for advice.


· You may be surprised on how much of your experience may help them, but leave the teaching to a trained driving coach.


Driving Test Rugby
The driving test

The driving test is split into two different sections, one theory based and one practical and although you must pass your theory test before you can book the practical test, you are still able to practice their driving before passing the theory test.
The theory and practical tests will usually take place at different test centres. To find out where your nearest test centres are, visit the Directgov website.




The theory test


The theory test is a two part test that tests your knowledge of the highway code. It's worth getting hold of a copy of the highway code and doing your homework before attempting the test.


The test currently costs £31 and you can book your test via the Directgov website, though if you've chosen to learn with a professional driving school, they should be able to arrange the test for you.


What to expect from the test:


1. Multiple-choice - A computer based multiple-choice questionnaire lasting 57 minutes. To pass you need to score at least 43 out of 50.


2. Hazard perception - In this test, you're shown a series of 14 clips of everyday road scenes in which you must identify the 'developing hazard'. Each clip contains one hazard, but one clip contains two to identify. The earlier you spot hazards, the higher score you receive. To pass you need to score a minimum of 44 out of 75.


Once you've completed the theory test, you'll find out your results straight away, and if you pass you'll receive your pass certificate which then enables you to book your practical test.


The practical test

The DVSA has estimated that an average of


45 hours of professional lessons and 22 hours of private practice are needed for learner drivers to pass the practical test.


Why so many hours?


The modern test goes allot further than it used to, they now have to drive on their own, following road signs for around 10 minutes of the test, and may have to park, both of these things were not in the test when myself and you learnt to drive. The standard is much higher due to more traffic and to help keep them safe after passing. The highest mortality rate is between the ages of 17 and 24. You cannot put a price on safety! But remember some people pass sooner than the figures given, and each pupils learns at their own rate.

Everyone learns at different rates, some get a little stuck on something’s, making any estimate of time is just that an estimate. I understand that it seem expensive, but as stated this reflects the high standard of the modern test. That day cost £62 for the DVSA test, and £50 for my time and car, if they have the best chance at it then that is a onetime fee, rush into the test and that could be another £112!


My job is to give them the best possible chance of that first time pass, but there is no guaranty, so much could happen on the road in that 40 mins or so. By only letting them go when “WE” agree they are ready it is possible to save money in the long run. A huge fail could cost lots more lessons, where as if the nerves just kicked in only 1 lesson to go over the issue and a re-test.


These figures are purely a guide though as many learner drivers have been known to pass in much less time.


The test currently costs £62 if you take it on a weekday or £75 if you choose an evening, weekend or bank holiday. 


The test consists of:


· An eyesight check


· Two/three “know as show me tell me” vehicle safety questions


· A 40 minute driving ability test that aims to assess their general driving ability (including one manoeuvre - reversing around a corner, turning in the road or reverse parking, Bay or Parallel).