Lessons in Stevenage
Looking for a driving instructor in Stevenage? Popular locations include:
Bedwell, Broadwater, Chells, Great Ashby, Knebworth, Pin Green, Poplars, Shephall, St Nicholas and Symonds Green.
Enter your postcode above to find prices in your local area of Stevenage.
View other guides: Driving Lessons in London, Driving Lessons in Birmingham, Driving Lessons in Manchester.
Learning to drive in Stevenage
If there’s one thing that strikes us about learning to drive in Stevenage, it’s roundabouts! They’re everywhere, so you’re certain to be a pro by the time test day comes around (pun unintended).
Before you get to that stage though, there’s a lot of practice to put in. We recommend starting out on wide, quiet roads so you can get to grips with the basics like clutch control and steering. Scarborough Avenue and the surrounding residential streets in Symonds Green are our top choices, so long as you steer clear of the morning rush.
Now, let’s talk roundabouts. You’ll need to be confident on these if you’re going to be taking your test in Stevenage, and if you’ll be driving around Stevenage regularly once you pass. A great place to learn these tricky road systems is Great Ashby. It’s full of small roundabouts perfect for growing your skills. If you travel the length of Great Ashby Way and continue along Gresley Way, you’ll encounter 10 of them. Don’t worry, with your Midrive instructor by your side, it’ll be a breeze!
Once you’re feeling confident behind the wheel, you’ll need to get some experience driving on main roads, like the A1155, Gunnels Wood Road or the A602. On these, you can practise switching lanes, responding to road signs and anticipating the behaviour of other drivers. Plus, you’ll encounter a ton more roundabouts along the way. So, nail your practice in Stevenage and you’ll be road tripping to London, Cambridge or even the Suffolk coast before you know it!
Taking your test in Stevenage
On a narrow road just off the busy High Street, you’ll find Stevenage Test Centre. It’s situated in an area with strict parking restrictions, so it’s worth noting that you’ll need to park your car, leave your accompanying driver (usually your driving instructor) with the car, and then take the token with you to the test centre. You’re only able to park for 5 minutes before your test, otherwise, you could be charged.
To start with, you could find yourself heading straight onto the A602 or turning onto High Street. Both have their challenges! On the A602, you’ll need to show that you’re able to anticipate getting into the correct lane before you reach a roundabout, whereas if you’re turning onto High Street, you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians and show that you can safely pass parked cars.
While the DVSA doesn’t currently publish test routes, your instructor will be familiar with the routes that you’re likely to take in your driving test. They’ll make sure that you’ve had plenty of practice in the right areas of town so that you’re feeling relaxed and prepared come the big day!
Driving test centre locations
There’s just one test centre in Stevenage, but another in nearby Letchworth Garden City. To see more test centres nearby, head over to gov.uk.
- Stevenage: 3 Drapers Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3DT
- Letchworth: Jackmans Place, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 1RF
Manual vs Automatic
If you’re umming and ahing about whether to take manual or automatic driving lessons, we’re here to help.
We provide both manual and automatic driving lessons in Stevenage. Manual driving lessons tend to be a little cheaper, but there’s also more to learn - you’ll have to get used to working a clutch and changing gears. That means that it could take you a little longer to pass your driving test.
Automatic driving lessons tend to be pricier because there are fewer automatic instructors around. However, automatic cars are easier to get to grips with and easier to drive in heavy traffic, as you won’t have to keep pressing the clutch pedal each time you come to a standstill.
If you’re still not sure which to go for, it’s worth noting that a manual licence qualifies you to drive both manual and automatic cars, whereas an automatic licence only qualifies you to drive automatics. So, a manual licence would offer you that little bit more freedom to pick and choose (and would be particularly handy if you plan on renting a car at some point). At the end of the day though, the choice is yours!