Learn to Drive

L earning to drive is one of the key moments in anyones life.  Ask anybody you know that's passed a driving test about how it's changed their life.

A driving licence is more than another ID card, it provides the freedom to explore new opportunities, from visiting new places to achieving a new job and making a fresh start. 

Finding the best driving school for you

One of the most important decisions you'll make when learning to drive is choosing a good driving school.  Although price is important, it's more important to make sure you select a reputable school with fully qualified (ADI's).

Larger driving schools like Karen's School of Motoring provide an option of learning in manual or automatic vehicles although most people choose to learn to drive in a manual car.  This means, when you gain a full driving licence you have the choice of driving a manual or automatic car legally. 

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What is the main difference between large driving schools and small driving schools?

The larger driving schools such as Karen's School of Motoring have got a pool of male & female driving instructors so if your own is unavailable because of holidays or illness you'll be offered a replacement without having to have a break in your lessons.  Larger driving schools will also, have a pool of spare cars so if your own instructor's car breaks down on test day, you will be provided with a replacement car.

Are the instructors qualified?
Driving Instructors must display a badge in their windscreen to prove they're registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).  They display:

a green badge if they're a qualified driving instructor
a pink badge if they're a trainee

Most small driving schools operate are generally a one man band with a mobile phone number, but with little or no backup, no spare car, and sometimes with no published address or landline phone.  If you suspect they are not qualified and are charging for driving lessons, you can report them to DVSA. 

If you fail to plan, then plan to fail

When you take driving lessons with Karen's School of Motoring, you'll get your own personal lesson plan and progress record.  Your instructor will put together a personal structured course to make sure that you will be given the best chance of passing your driving test and to drive safely afterwards. 

Learning to drive can be expensive, so do your homework.  The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommend that learners typically have about 45 hours of professional driving lessons.  Remember though, this is only a statistic and not necessarily your own personal guide or indeed ours.  If you follow the correct syllabus with structured learning, the cost and hours will be reduced.

Your first few driving lessons

These will probably be spent in suitable locations getting to grips with the car.  On your first driving lesson, you'll be given a copy of Karen's School of Motoring progress record.  This progress record will help you to keep a record of your theory and driving progress and helps your instructor to tailor your driving lessons to a plan based on your progress.  You'll be able to see how well you're doing and how near to test standard you are. 

Make a booking

Do all driving schools provide one hour lessons?

No.  When enquiring about driving lessons, check how long they are.  The reason why some lessons seem so much cheaper than others is because you're being quoted for forty-five minutes, rather than an hour.  Our instructors will arrange lesson times that best suit, recognising your circumstances and concentration levels.  It is preferred to do 2 single 1 hours lessons per week than a single 2 hour lesson. 

Intensive Driving Lessons

Most driving schools provide intensive driving courses.  If you want to learn more quickly, it could be possible with an intensive course.  With an intensive course you can learn in anything from a week to a couple of months.  Don't forget you'll need time to pass the theory test before you take the practical driving test and during this time you can be taking driving lessons.

Short notice driving tests

If you are not already a Karen's driving school pupil but have a practical driving test booked without an instructor to take you, we may be able to help. 
We'd prefer to see you at least 4 weeks prior to your test to assess your suitability but appreciate this may not be possible.  We will provide a short of a minimum of 10 hours plus car for the test.  Beware of driving schools offering a guaranteed driving test pass.

Common FAQ about learning to drive or the best course of lessons to book, or if you still have a question contact our training team.

Karens Driving School have instructors teaching locally throughout Essex including;
Aveley, Basildon, Barking, Benfleet, Billericay, Brentwood, Canvey, Chadwell st.  Mary, Chelmsford, Cranham, Corringham, Dagenham, Eastwood, Elm park, Grays, Thurrock, Hadleigh, Harold Wood,l Hornchurch, Horndon on the Hill, Hullriddge, Hutton, Ingatstone, Laindon, Langdon Hills, Leigh on Sea, Moutnessing, Pitsea, Rainham, Romford, Shenfield, shoebury, south Ockendon, outhend On Sea, South Woodham Ferriers, Stanford le hope, Tilbury, Upminster, Warley, Westcliff on Sea and Wickford.