Driving Lessons in South Shields

Learn to drive in South Shields

How to decide which driving school is best for you in South Shields

When looking for a driving instructor; you need someone who:

  • Makes you feel confident
  • Makes the whole experience fun
  • Won’t cost an arm and a leg!

So here are 4 simple steps to make sure you find a top driving instructor in South Shields

1. Check reviews online

Reviewing an instructors online reviews is a great way to get afeel for what to expect from the driving schools in South Shields. Be sure to select your review sites carefully - some can be a bit dodgy. Make sure you are reading reviews from legitimate customers.

2. Beware of terms and conditions

If you’re like most people, the chances are you usually tick the box to say you’ve read the terms and conditions even if you haven’t. But in this scenario, it’s important that you read them carefully. Some driving schools have hidden policies, like making your driving lessons expire if you don’t use them all within a short timeframe. Don’t get caught out!

3. Check that you can switch instructors

You don’t want to be stuck learning with someone you don’t get on with. So, the safest thing is to check that your driving school in South Shieldscan match you with a new instructor easily if you decide you want to swap. Not all schools will have enough instructors to facilitate this, so don’t book until you’re sure.

4. Do they have long waiting times?

Imagine booking your driving lessons only to find out that you can't start for ages. It can happen. Many driving schools in South Shieldswon’t tell you their waiting times upfront unless you ask directly. So again, don’t get caught out!

Deciding on a test centre

When the time is right, you’ll need to choose a driving test centre. Your instructor in South Shields will give you a hand choosing the test centre that’s right for you, and then introduce you to the routes that could crop up on test day.

To see all of the DVSA test centres near you, check the DVSA website.

Top driving test tips from instructors in South Shields

Driving instructors in South Shields have shared thier insider tips for passing your test.

1. Practise driving on rural roads

Our driving instructors in South Shields have highlighted rural roads as a tricky ""one to watch"" as you’re allowed to drive at the national speed limit, but sometimes that’s not the appropriate speed for the conditions.

Make sure you practise judging what speed is sensible to drive at on country roads.

2. Drive defensively

When you’re driving in urban settings you need to be aware that not all drivers will drive well, or even follow the highway code! Make sure that you anticipate the behaviour of other drivers and adapt your own driving accordingly.

3. Directions aren’t the be all and end all.

You’ll receive directions from both the examiner and a sat nav at different points in your driving test. If you realise you’re in the wrong lane at the last minute, it might be dangerous to correct yourself. If that’s the case, it’s fine to make a wrong turn - it’s more important to drive safely than to follow directions accurately, and our local driving instructors say that you’re unlikely to be penalised.

Manual or automatic lessons?

Are you ready to learn to drive? The first step is to choose between manual and automatic driving lessons.

Manual licence holders are able to drive both manual and automatic cars, however, automatic drivers are stuck with automatic cars only.This gives you more flexibility in the long run.

Cost is also another factor as manual instructors tend to be more common and therefore lessons can be cheaper.Plus, driving a manual car gives you a greater sense of control, which many people prefer in rural areas or on longer-distance journeys along motorways and dual carriageways.

Automatic cars on the other hand are more straightforward to begin with as you don't need to worry about gear changes at all.On top of this, the lack of a clutch pedal makes automatic cars easier to drive in heavy traffic, so it you’re going to be getting a car to run you around South Shieldss busy streets, you may find an automatic easier.

There are pros and cons to both, so it's worth spending some time to research and decide before you start.

Where we provide driving lessons in South Shields

Regardless of where you live in South Shieldsor the surrounding areas, our top quality driving instructors can help get you on the road.

Enter your postcode to see prices for driving lesson near you.