- Why choose Heronswood Driving Tuition?
- How long will it take me to obtain my licence?
- How much does the Theory / Hazard Perception test cost?
- How much does the Practical test cost?
- Can you guarantee a pass?
- Where will I be doing my practical test?
- When can I start taking private practice?
- What if I want to cancel any lessons?
1. Why choose Heronswood Driving Tuition?
The choice available to people now when looking for a driving school is both wide and varied. From my point of view, it is also a very competitive industry and like all businesses, needs to make a profit to survive. You will find my lesson rates very reasonable in comparison to other schools in the area, and because I work alone, I’m not going to provide a poor service - after all, I want my school to be successful.
With this in mind, I will do my best to make sure you obtain that coveted licence in as few hours as possible, as well as try to make your lessons as enjoyable and light-hearted as I can where appropriate. There is no better advertisement than recommendations, so please click the link on the left to see some thoughts of past pupils.
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2. How long will it take me to obtain my licence?
There is no straight answer to this often-asked question. The pass rate for the practical test across the UK averages around 43%. This is for varying reasons, such as candidates not being fully prepared, nerves on the day etc. It is my job to ensure that you are ready when the time comes. Many instructors take pupils to test when they are not ready, and this can be both costly and unprofessional.
The average 17 - 24 year old takes between 40 and 50 hours of professional tuition, and with around 25 hours private practice where possible. These are the people that stand the best chance of passing first time. Therefore without private practice, this may extend the amount of professional tuition necessary. Older drivers should add another 10 - 15 hours on top. Remember also that we are all different - what one pupil finds easy, another may struggle with, so this can extend the amount of hours needed. In my professional opinion, when your are first starting to drive, you should have your lessons close together, as you will pick the basics up more quickly. For instance, if you are struggling with steering technique for example, and you are only taking one lesson a fortnight, it will take you a long time to overcome the problem, as my experience shows that you only end up forgetting what you learned two weeks ago, and we have to go over it all again.
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3. How much does the Theory / Hazard Perception test cost?
The price for this test as of 30th March 2009 is £31.
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4. How much does the Practical test cost?
The price for this test as of 30th March 2009 is £62.00 (weekdays).
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5. Can you guarantee a pass?
No is the honest and simple answer to another frequently asked question! I can only ensure that you are of the standard I require before I even let you think about taking the test in my car. Even pupils whom I deem to be up to the required level of ability and fully prepared can fail on the day. Unlike many exams or tests, you are not in a controlled environment on a driving test, like you would be in an closed exam room. On a driving test, you don’t know what the weather will be and how it will affect the test, and you have no way of knowing what the traffic is going to be like. Yes, the examiner will give you directions, but even he doesn’t know what will happen en route!
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6. Where will I be doing my practical test?
This depends upon where you live, or where convenient. For instance, if you live in Potters Bar, you’d be suited to take the test in Borehamwood or Barnet. If you live in Wheathampstead or Sandridge, I’d take you to St. Albans, and likewise, if you live in say, Knebworth or Welwyn, you’d probably do it in Stevenage. There are other test centres around the area, such as Watford and Letchworth.
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7. When can I start taking private practice?
This depends on your circumstances. Who ever takes you out must have held a full valid driving licence for driving cars for a minimum of three years, and be over 21 years of age. They must also ensure that they - and you - are adequately insured. An accompanying driver, as they are known, may want to take you before your lessons with me - it really is up to them. In my professional opinion, if you haven’t had any private practice before you start with me, I would normally say that once you can move off and stop unaided, have a basic knowledge of MSPSL, and can have the knowledge to deal with junctions at a basic level, then you are ready to start taking private practice.
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8. What if I want to cancel any lessons?
Please try to give us 36 hours notice. If any lessons are cancelled without good reason* within 36 hours of the lesson time, then we reserve the right to charge where we deem circumstances are not of an unavoidable nature.
* Good reasons for cancelling outside the required time scale would be such things as unavoidable appointments, i.e. dentist, doctor etc. Missed buses or trains, family crises, etc. All good reasons are agreed at the discretion of Heronswood Driving Tuition.
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