Yep, we felt we had to give in to the pressure - the customer is always right, they just need help to be right properly if you know what we mean!
Our Intensive Driving Courses are only done in automatic cars, and only after an assessment session.
Friday, 26 October 2007
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Intensive driving courses
I keep getting phone calls and emails asking whether I do intensive driving courses so I thought I'd better explain my reasons for not doing them.
Intensive courses are very hit and miss - people learn in drastically different ways and at very different speeds. Most people simply cannot concentrate on one thing for more than around 3 hours a day, which means that to meet the average amount of lessons (45 according to the DSA), a customer will need around 3 weeks of training, with two 90 minute lessons each day.
For any normal instructor, fitting all of these lessons into their diary would be impossible unless they were very quiet - and if they're that quiet - why?!
A good instructor will be able to reduce the amount of lessons you may need, and by taking more than 1 lesson a week you will be able to reduce the amount of time it takes to get to test standard quite rapidly. Take slightly longer lessons (90 minutes I find is the most productive - more than this and the concentration starts to slide), and take maybe 2 or 3 per week.
The single most important thing in learning to drive is your own attitude - if you are determined to learn as much as possible from every situation then you will learn more quickly - but if you sit back expecting to be "taught" to drive - you will get no-where.
When booking driving lessons, try to plan in advance. Plan on the average of 45 hours, booking 90 minute lessons, and try to do 2 per week. Don't go for an intensive unless you really have to.
If you do decide on an intensive course - or are forced down that route - then go with an instructor who specialises in them. Book your course - but before you go on it, try to get as many driving lessons as you can. Remember that before your course you will have to pass your theory test, so get started as soon as possible.
Hope that makes sense - good luck.
Intensive courses are very hit and miss - people learn in drastically different ways and at very different speeds. Most people simply cannot concentrate on one thing for more than around 3 hours a day, which means that to meet the average amount of lessons (45 according to the DSA), a customer will need around 3 weeks of training, with two 90 minute lessons each day.
For any normal instructor, fitting all of these lessons into their diary would be impossible unless they were very quiet - and if they're that quiet - why?!
A good instructor will be able to reduce the amount of lessons you may need, and by taking more than 1 lesson a week you will be able to reduce the amount of time it takes to get to test standard quite rapidly. Take slightly longer lessons (90 minutes I find is the most productive - more than this and the concentration starts to slide), and take maybe 2 or 3 per week.
The single most important thing in learning to drive is your own attitude - if you are determined to learn as much as possible from every situation then you will learn more quickly - but if you sit back expecting to be "taught" to drive - you will get no-where.
When booking driving lessons, try to plan in advance. Plan on the average of 45 hours, booking 90 minute lessons, and try to do 2 per week. Don't go for an intensive unless you really have to.
If you do decide on an intensive course - or are forced down that route - then go with an instructor who specialises in them. Book your course - but before you go on it, try to get as many driving lessons as you can. Remember that before your course you will have to pass your theory test, so get started as soon as possible.
Hope that makes sense - good luck.
Monday, 9 April 2007
Better Value with Longer Lessons!
I've decided to stop giving 1 hour lessons - sorry guys!
There's a few reasons for this - the main one is that to make a reasonable amount of money from driving instruction - I would have to charge a huge amount for my 1 hour lessons (£24 an hour) which people simply aren't willing to pay.
With the longer lessons I have less trouble fitting them in to the diary, and more importantly they mean less "dead time" - travel time to and from lessons for which I'm not being paid. By reducing these costs I can offer better value on my longer lessons.
Just so you know -
90 minute lesson - £30
2 hour lesson - £36
Thanks, and remember, you get more done for less money in the longer lessons. Far better value for all of us!
There's a few reasons for this - the main one is that to make a reasonable amount of money from driving instruction - I would have to charge a huge amount for my 1 hour lessons (£24 an hour) which people simply aren't willing to pay.
With the longer lessons I have less trouble fitting them in to the diary, and more importantly they mean less "dead time" - travel time to and from lessons for which I'm not being paid. By reducing these costs I can offer better value on my longer lessons.
Just so you know -
90 minute lesson - £30
2 hour lesson - £36
Thanks, and remember, you get more done for less money in the longer lessons. Far better value for all of us!
Monday, 2 April 2007
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Mature Learners and getting back in the driver's seat after a break.
Just though we should mention that due to our experience training experienced drivers, we are more than capable of dealing with more mature (in plain English - older!) learner drivers. Many people who learn late in life, or return to driving after many years relying on a partner to drive find it hard at first to learn (or if already passed their test, to get back in the driving seat). This is where we come in.
We won't patronise you, we won't treat you like a 17 year old. We will give you the training that you need to get independent.
For older learners, this often means simple things like having a little more patience (it can take longer to learn as you get older, but the attitude tends to be much more sensible!). It also means simple things like slightly longer lessons, and having a professional and approachable coach who turns up on time, every time.
For those who may have driven years ago, and who have simply delegated the driving to the other half, life often means that you need to get back in the driving seat. With todays roads and traffic conditions, this can seem daunting, but there are many things we can do which can help you to feel at ease again in the driving seat. We won't try to teach you to pass a driving test again, but we will give you the skills to be aware of others on the road, and to keep yourself safe getting from A to B again.
Refresher sessions, and mature learners in Lancaster
For those who like information, have a look at the main site Beyond Driving - News and Resources.
We won't patronise you, we won't treat you like a 17 year old. We will give you the training that you need to get independent.
For older learners, this often means simple things like having a little more patience (it can take longer to learn as you get older, but the attitude tends to be much more sensible!). It also means simple things like slightly longer lessons, and having a professional and approachable coach who turns up on time, every time.
For those who may have driven years ago, and who have simply delegated the driving to the other half, life often means that you need to get back in the driving seat. With todays roads and traffic conditions, this can seem daunting, but there are many things we can do which can help you to feel at ease again in the driving seat. We won't try to teach you to pass a driving test again, but we will give you the skills to be aware of others on the road, and to keep yourself safe getting from A to B again.
Refresher sessions, and mature learners in Lancaster
For those who like information, have a look at the main site Beyond Driving - News and Resources.
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Learn To Drive!
Welcome!
This is a quick post to say hello from Beyond Driving's driving lessons section.
We are a Lancaster based driving school who can help you on the road to independence. We cater for learners of all ages, from 17 to 70, and can help you to pass the driving test, and understand how to be safe drivers for life.
We have lots of experience training drivers who are nervous, and who have previously had trouble getting to grips with driving.
Give us a call - your first lesson is free, and you can see how you get on with us, our car, and our training!
For more information have a look at Driving Lessons Lancaster, which is the driving school side of our driving instructor training business.
This is a quick post to say hello from Beyond Driving's driving lessons section.
We are a Lancaster based driving school who can help you on the road to independence. We cater for learners of all ages, from 17 to 70, and can help you to pass the driving test, and understand how to be safe drivers for life.
We have lots of experience training drivers who are nervous, and who have previously had trouble getting to grips with driving.
Give us a call - your first lesson is free, and you can see how you get on with us, our car, and our training!
For more information have a look at Driving Lessons Lancaster, which is the driving school side of our driving instructor training business.
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