Question's About Driving Lessons? 

Chris and Maria are members of the  ADINJC which is one of the leading National Driving Instructor Associations in the UK.

Chris and Maria follow the Code of Conduct for driving instructors. 

CCS Driving School has Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. 

All driving lessons are structured using the DVSA’s drivers record and competencies

All driving lessons are built around your individual abilities

All driving lessons are delivered in a professional manner and always given on a one-to-one basis

As a guide, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) says that on average it takes approximately 40 hours plus 20 hours of private practice to learn to drive. This will depend on you as an individual; your commitment and ability. Everyone is an individual and will learn at different speeds. 

CCS Driving School wish they could but unfortunately this is not possible. All driving tests are conducted by examiners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and they will assess your driving ability on the day. CCS Driving School will do its very best to ensure that you are ready to take and pass your test, but sometimes unplanned circumstances can affect your performance on the day.

According to the DVSA, the most common faults made in driving tests between 4th December 2017 and 3rd December 2018 were:

1) Junctions – observations

2) Mirrors – change direction

3) Control – steering

4) Junctions – turning right 

5) Move off – safely

6) Response to signs – traffic lights

7) Move off – control

8) Positioning – normal driving

9) Response to signs – road markings

10) Reverse park – control

Insufficient observation at junctions and not using mirrors effectively when changing direction accounted for 368,047 test failures.

Yes, you will take your driving test in the car you learnt to drive in; this will help you as you will be familiar with the car, its set up and reference points when you do your manoeuvres.

No, as long as you have your provisional licence you can go ahead and book driving lessons. However, it is not possible to book a driving test until after you’ve passed your theory test so it is advisable to be working towards your theory test when you begin learning to drive. Why not try Theory Test Pro, our free App?

As you are spending money on driving lessons it is important to take your time over choosing a qualified driving instructor or driving school and ones that you feel at ease with. In the UK, the DVSA approves driving instructors. Only DVSA Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs and PDIs) can charge you for driving instruction. An ADI is a fully qualified driving instructor and a PDI is a potential driving instructor undergoing training. 

It is important to check the badge in the driving instructor’s windscreen. A green octagonal badge shows the instructor is a fully qualified ADI. A pink triangular badge shows that the instructor is a PDI; not yet fully qualified but undertaking practical training. PDIs are allowed to charge you for driving instruction.

You can ask your friends and family to recommend a driving instructor or driving school. (But remember, they must be an ADI or a PDI licensed driving instructor under training if they are charging you for lessons).  You can also look for a driving instructor on the DVSA’s Approved Driving Instructor list.

Like any teacher, some driving instructors will be better than others.  Good driving instructors should be punctual and make the most of your lesson time that should be planned with you. You should have their full attention throughout the lesson, with one-to-one tuition, no stops to pick up or drop off other students, fill-up with fuel or make or receive phone calls. They shouldn’t shout or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, even if things go wrong.