Lessons

The first ever lesson

This account is only suitable for a complete beginner, pupils with prior experience would have the lesson specifically tailored to their level of ability.

After initial introductions I'll check over your licence details and complete an eye sight check. We'll then drive off to a nice quiet road well out of the way of any big junctions or heavy traffic, swap seats, and I'll start the lesson by going through some basic safety checks you need to do before starting the engine. These include adjusting the mirrors, putting on the seat belt and making sure that the gear lever is in neutral. I'll then talk you through all the major controls and describe how each different element fits together to give good co-ordination whilst moving off and stopping etc. I'll spend some time describing how by balancing the accelerator and the clutch peddles you can pull away without causing the car to stall or jerk.

Then comes the big moment, moving away for the first time. This can be a bit tricky the first time so I'll give you plenty of encouragement and support, and with luck we'll pull away without too much of a problem. The rest of the lesson will be spent practicing moving off and driving along and if time permits starting to go through the other gears, maybe even block changing. Once we get back home we'll have a brief recap over the lesson and arrange our next appointment.

Lesson length and price

A lesson with James' Driving School would normally last for one hour and costs £24 before discounts.

Longer lessons are available at £36 for an hour and a half, and £48 for two hours.

More intensive courses of up to ten hours per week may also be available depending how busy I am. Call 01892 542177 to check.

A very common question I am asked is " how many lessons will I need to pass my test? ". The best answer I have for that is between one and a half and double your age. So, at 17 years old you will need on average about 25 - 35 lessons.

This figure can be reduced if you are lucky enough to be able to practice privately with a friend or relative, but it can also be more if there are any difficult problems or previous bad habits to get rid of!

Special offers

Discount for block bookings. Pay for 10 hours up front for £220, saving £20 (normal price £240).

Recommend a friend or relative and receive a hour lesson free each time (no limit).

Catchment area

My main catchment area for pupils is Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area including:-
Southborough
Bidborough
Speldhurst
Langton Green
Groombridge
Rusthall
Frant
Bell's Yew Green
Pembury

I also cover Tonbridge, Crowborough, Paddock Wood and Wadhurst with a minimum lesson of one and a half hours.

Please phone 01892 542177 for details on other areas.

Normal lesson content

The object of taking driving lessons is to become a safe and proficient driver and to pass the diving test. My first aim with a new pupil is to get them to drive around and turn left and right and feel confident that they have control of the car. To achieve this you will need a basic understanding of the steering, clutch and gear changing. Once they have these basic skills I introduce pedestrian crossings and emergency stops which allows us to get a bit more into the town. We then move onto the more complicated junctions, crossroads and roundabouts where you find out if your basic skills are solid or still need a bit more work. There are also several manoeuvres which need mastering, parallel parking, three point turns, reversing round a corner and bay parking.

Whilst I'm teaching these physical skills of car control I'll also be training the art of hazard perception and anticipating the actions of other people on the road.

Other lessons available

As well as the normal lessons until you pass the test there are a number of additional lessons I can provide.

Auto to manual: if you passed your test in an automatic these lessons will prepare you for driving a manual car. You will need to pass an additional test.

Refresher course: Passed your test but haven't driven for ages? Lost your confidence? It's a common problem, and this could be the solution. No new test needed.

Motorway lessons: Yes they are big, and yes they can be scary, but motorways are the fastest way of getting around the country. Learn to overtake with confidence and cruise with ease. No test needed.

Parking lessons: If the thought of a multi-story car park fills you with dread, or if you avoid parallel parking like the plague, these  lessons might be for you. No test needed.

Pass Plus: A course of at least six hours designed to give you experiance at more difficult driving conditions.