Frequently Asked Questions
THE CAR
What car will you be driving?
~ I have a manual SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0, with only L plates on the front and rear. There is no sign-written advertising. Not even my name or phone number, so that means there isn't a top box on the roof either.
Why don't I have my name on the car like most other instructors?
~ Pupils feel more at ease (and much less nervous) when driving, saying they feel less 'obvious' as a learner.
Because it hasn't got 'Mark' written all over it, does the car still have dual controls?
~ Absolutely! It's also fully insured, so don't worry. Everything is the same as any other instructor vehicle out there, you just won't stick out like the others.
Will you take the test in my car?
~ Yes, though I'm always happy for us to have lessons and take the test in your own car if you have one.
Keep reading if you want to know more about how many lessons you may need, etc...
THE LESSONS
How many lessons will you need?
~ Quoting the DVSA: the average learner driver should have a minimum of 45 hours with a qualified instructor and at least 20 hours of private practice in their own car.
Having said that, I do take pride in the fact that many of my pupils take less than that.
Back in "the day" people only had 10 or 20 hours! Why so many now?
~ Between 2000 and 2010, young driver fatalities peaked. In 2011, pedestrian fatalities increased by 12% on previous years. 2012 saw a 10% increase in deaths of cyclists along with increasing serious injuries of pedestrians.
When I learnt in 1997, I had no private practice and 30 hours with an instructor (the test back then was easy). I qualified as an ADI in 2004, and since then the test has got harder.
Not to mention there were 25 million cars on UK roads when I passed. Now there's well over 40 million.
How long have I been qualified?
~ I qualified as a professional driving instructor ADI in the summer of 2004. I'm fully qualified with a Grade A, and have an above-average pass rate across several test centres including the Hastings Test Centre.