Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right driving instructor is a big decision. Here are clear answers to the questions students and parents ask most often:

1. What car will I be learning to drive in?

You will be learning in a manual car. Learning in a manual car gives you flexibility, upon passing your driving test you will be able to drive manual and automatic vehicles including Electric Vehicles. 

2. How many driving lessons will I need to pass my test?

According to the DVSA, the average learner takes around 45 hours of professional tuition combined with 22 hours of private practice. However, everyone learns at a different pace. Because of my 20 years of police road experience, I use highly structured coaching methods designed to build your muscle memory and road confidence efficiently, aiming to get you test-ready safely and without wasting lessons.

3. Which driving test centre will we use?

Since we are based in Shrewsbury, we will primarily prepare you for the Shrewsbury Driving Test Centre. Our lessons will cover the local dual carriageways, rural country lanes, and tricky roundabouts that you are likely to encounter on your actual test route. 

4. How do I pay for my lessons, and what is your cancellation policy?

To secure your preferred time slot in the diary, all individual lessons and discounted block packages must be paid for upfront.

I operate a strict 48-hour cancellation policy. If you need to change or cancel a scheduled lesson, please give me at least 48 hours' notice. Cancellations made within 48 hours will be charged at the full lesson rate, as it doesn't leave enough time to offer that slot to another student.

5. Can I book a block of hours to save money?

Yes! I offer tiered discounts starting from a base rate of £40 per hour. The more hours you commit to upfront, the more you save. For example, booking 10 hours saves you £10, while booking a 40-hour 'Complete Pack' saves you £100, that's enough to cover the cost of your driving test!

6. Can you pick me up from college and drop me off at home?

Yes, providing the distance between locations isn't too far out of the way.

Standard instructors can teach you how to pass a driving test. With 20 years of UK police frontline experience, I teach you how to survive on modern roads. You will learn advanced hazard perception, defensive driving habits to avoid risks, and how to maintain total calm under pressure—skills that will keep you safe long after your test day.

7. Is you car dual controlled?

Yes, it is fitted with dual brake and clutch meaning I am able to intervene in order to keep us and other road users safe.

Top 5 Tips for Parents Accompanying Learner Drivers

 

  • 1. Nail the Compliance First: Before you turn the key, double-check that you are fully legal. The car must display prominent L-plates on both the front and rear, and your insurance must explicitly cover a learner driver. Most importantly, remember that as the supervisor, you are legally in control of the vehicle—you must strictly abide by the same laws on mobile phone use and alcohol as if you were the one driving.

  • 2. Keep Emotions Off the Dashboard: Learners absorb your emotional state instantly. If you gasp, clutch the door handle, or shout, their panic will spike and safety drops. Use a calm, steady voice. If they make a mistake, don’t try to fix it on the move; find a safe place to pull over and discuss it quietly.

  • 3. Map the Road to Their Current Skill Level: Never improvise a route on the fly. Plan out exactly where you are going before you leave the driveway. Keep initial sessions to quiet, familiar estate roads around Shrewsbury. Save heavy traffic, fast dual carriageways, and complex roundabouts until they have practiced them professionally with me.

  • 4. Give Directions Well in Advance: A learner driver requires significantly more time to process instructions. Instead of saying "turn left here" at the last moment, give them early warning: "At the end of the road, we will be turning left, so let's start preparing." This gives them time to check mirrors, signal, and slow down smoothly.

  • 5. Complement, Don’t Contradict: Driving rules and car technologies have evolved dramatically over the last few decades (especially with electric vehicles and automatic driver assistance systems). Avoid teaching old habits. Instead, ask your teenager what specific skill they worked on during our last lesson and focus entirely on reinforcing that.