ESSONS

AT FINALE, WE HAVE A FULL RANGE OF LESSONS AND COURSES TO FIT IN WITH YOUR NEEDS AND AVAILABILITY BY BOTH MALE AND FEMALE FULLY QUALIFIED, REGISTERED AND APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTORS IN SOLIHULL, SHIRLEY, SOUTH YARDLEY, KINGS HEATH, REDDITCH AND BROMSGROVE

REMEMBER

If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).  Only a registered, approved Driving Instructor can charge money for teaching you to drive.

Recent surveys from the DSA indicate that 9 out of 10 learners who pass their theory and practical driving test first time were taught by a professional Driving Instructor. Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hrs of professional training combined with 22 hrs of private practice.  Learners who prepare this way do better in their driving test.  (Figures from DSA Website)

Provisional Licence

Before you start your driving lessons you must be in posession of a Provisional Licence.  Your Instructor will check your licence at the beginning of your first lesson as well as carrying out an eyesight check. 

The fee for your 1st provisional driving licence is currently £50.00.

The Theory Test Explained

You will find it very helpful if you start studying for your Theory Test as soon as possible - either before or soon after starting to learn to drive.

The theory test is made up of 2 parts: the multiple choice and the hazard perception. 

You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. 

You cannot book a practical driving test until you have passed both parts of the theory test.

AT FINALE, WE RECOMMEND "DRIVING TEST SUCCESS - THEORY" AS A GREAT STUDY AID FOR YOUR THEORY TEST.  IT COVERS ALL OF THE CURRENT DATABANK OF QUESTIONS FOR THE MULTIPLE CHOICE AND ALSO COVERS THE HAZARD PERCEPTION - THE PART THAT MOST CANDIDATES FIND DIFFICULT IF THEY HAVE NOT PRACTICED IT!!!  IT IS AVAILABLE FROM MOST GOOD RETAILERS OR FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR - WHAT COULD BE EASIER?

Multiple Choice Section

This is delivered using a touch screen computer.  A question and several answer options will appear on the screen.  You select the correct answer by touching it.  Some questions may require more than 1 answer.  You will be asked 50 questions in 57 mins and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.

Hazard Perception Section

This is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on a mouse.  You will be shown a series of 14 video clips.  In each clip there will be at least 1 developing hazard, but 1 of the clips will feature 2. 

To achieve a high score you need to respond as soon as the hazard starts to develop.  The maximum score on each hazard is 5.  The pass mark is 44 out of 75.  At the end of the test you will be given your result by the test centre staff. 

The current fee for the Theory Test is £30.00

Your Driving Lessons

Structured Learning

To enable your Instructor to structure your lessons correctly for you, we keep a Driver Record so that we can record your progress while you are learning to drive and identify strong and weak areas.  You need to learn a skill and then practice it to gain experience.  Please bring your Driver Record with you on all of your lessons.

Remember, all of our Instructors are ex Surepass and our rates are extremely competitive compared with the AA, BSM and the National Driving Schools.  We Care - and it shows!

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is safe driving because, as we all know, thousands of people are killed or injured in road accidents every year, and in many of these the main contributing factor is driver error.  This can be directly linked to the skill level of the driver, the attitude, lack of judgement, knowledge and inability to handle their vehicle.

Defensive driving is all about developing the right attitude and approach, brushing up on those general driving skills and learning about the handling characteristics of your car. 

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SAVES LIVES!

Responsibility, concentration, anticipation, patience and confidence all contribute towards driver attitude.  It is this that influences his/her behaviour on the road.

Anticipation is the art of planning well ahead.  Recognising hazards well before they develop and taking the appropriate action is a part of defensive driving.  You stay in control of the situation.

Nobody can claim to be the perfect driver as there is always something new to learn.

At Finale, we teach defensive driving to all of our pupils.  This helps both our learner and more advanced drivers to handle and stay safe on the busy roads we now have to drive on.

What Will I Cover On My Lessons?

During the course of your lessons, you will learn to deal with any event you may come across during normal driving.  We specifically teach the following skills:- 

Controls lesson - Cockpit drill, Mirrors, Foot controls, Hand controls, Blind spots - Moving off - Stopping on the left - Approach to turn left and right - Emerging at T-junctions - Zones of vision - Emergency Stop - Braking and Skidding - Giving signals - Pedestrian crossings - Light controlled Pedestrian crossings - Crossroads - Roundabouts - Mini roundabouts - One way streets and systems - Meeting traffic (clearance and speed) - Overtaking - Turn in the road - Left reverse - Right reverse - Parallel parking - Bay Parking - Dual Carriageways - Spiral Roundabout - Observing Traffic Signs - Plus ANYTHING that you come across during the normal course of your lessons. 

We aim to produce a polished driver who is in full control of the vehicle at all times while showing a brisk, professional technique.  Don't forget to have fun on the journey......we all learn better if we can laugh at our mistakes!!  One thing we can guarantee - you won't do anything we haven't seen before so don't worry, we won't make you feel small or shout at you.....just have a joke about it and get on with the job of putting it right!

The Practical Driving Test

Now is quite possibly the best time to start learning to drive!!!!!  The Government and the Driving Standards Agency are currently working on proposals tochange the Driving Test. The new Test may be taken over 4 parts - currently under discussion are ideas to do the following

- Make Manouvers into a seperate test where you do all of them - Bay Park, Parallel Park, Left Reverse, Turn in the Road and Emergency Stop!!!!

- Have a seperate test where you have to get to a specific point (told to you by the Examiner on the day) by following roadsigns and direction markers.

- Split the Theory Test into 2 seperate Tests so you attend on 2 seperate appointments to take the Multiple Choice and then the Hazard Perception.

THE PRACTICAL TEST AT THE MOMENT IS RUN AS FOLLOWS:-

The Practical Driving Test lasts for approximately 40 minutes.  You will first have your photo licence and counterpart checked, followed by your eyesight test.  After this you will go to the car and answer a few Show Me, Tell Me questions.  The actual driving part of the test then begins.  Your examiner will give you clear and concise directions as to where he/she wants you to go and what to do.  During your test you will be asked to perform 2 of the following manouvers:- a left reverse around a corner, a parallel park, a bay park, a turn in the road.  You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop. 

At the end of your test the examiner will let you know the result.  You will pass if you have obtained less than 16 minor faults with no serious or dangerous faults.

At Finale, although our aim is to get your full driving licence at the first attempt, we also understand that it is a very stressful event and nerves will play their part on the day. We try to minimise this effect by offering all pupils a Mock Test with another Instructor (if available) to show you what the test itself will be like and for us to see how you will react to a little added pressure.  This gives us a very good idea of what areas need to be worked on before the big day to give you every chance of a successful outcome!

If the worst happens and you are not successful, don't worry........we can soon put any mistakes right and with a positive approach you will soon be a fully qualified driver!  We have never failed to get any of our pupils their full driving licence!

Fees for the practical driving test are currently as follows:-

COMING SOON!!!!!  NOT 17 YET??  GET AN EARLY START.  WE WILL SHORTLY BE COMMENCING OFF ROAD TRAINING FOR 16 YEAR OLDS WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN THE BASICS OF DRIVING AND MANOUVERS SO AS SOON AS YOU PASS YOUR 17TH BIRTHDAY YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO GAINING YOUR LICENCE.  Contact us for more information.

Refresher Lessons

It may have been some time since your last lesson, or you may not have driven since passing your driving test......don't worry, we can help!

We can structure some refresher lessons to give you guidance in areas that you may need some brushing up on, after all, not everyone thinks that parking is easy, or that dual carriageways are the best places to drive.  With our help you'll soon be driving confidently and competantly.  For pricing information please click on the link....more>>

Motorway Tuition

Well, you've passed your driving test......WELL DONE!!

Where were you thinking of driving to now?  Devon?  Wales?  Scotland?

It might be an idea to have a few hours of professional tuition on how to drive on motorways....after all, you've never done it before!  How do you join a motorway correctly?  What would you do if the worst happened and you broke down?  How would you make sure your car was fit for a long journey travelling at speed?

We will cover all of the above with you and also advise you on handling speed, stopping distances, motorway etiquette and much, much more! We can get you driving safely on the motorway with 2 hrs tuition.  It could be the best money you ever spent. For prices please click on the link....more>>

Pass Plus

This is the course that the DSA advise ALL newly qualified drivers to take - and many Insurance Companies give big discounts on motor insurance to young drivers who have passed this course. It consists of 6 hrs tuition covering 6 modules.  These are Town Driving, All-weather Driving, Out of Town Driving and Rural Roads, Night Driving, Dual Carriageways and Motorway Driving.

It's aim is to improve your driving skills and make you a safer driver.  The course has been designed by the DSA, with the help of the motor insurance and driving instruction industries, to further develop your skills and knowledge in areas where you may have limited experience.

A recent survey of new drivers showed that out of those who had taken Pass Plus 93% felt more confident on the road, and 89% considered that their driving skills had improved as a result of taking the course.

Pass Plus will benefit you by

• enabling you to gain quality driving experience safely
• helping you become a more skilful driver
• teaching you how to develop a Positive Driving Style which is both enjoyable and safe
• reducing your risk of being involved in a road crash
• possibly saving you money on your car insurance premiums

DON'T FORGET - THERE IS NO TEST AT THE END!

You'll be assessed throughout by your Driving Instructor: you must complete all of the modules to complete the training.  For pricing information please click on the link...more>>

Instructor Training

If you are already an experienced driver who has held a full driving licence for 4 years and fancy a change of career, contact us for details of our Instructor Training Courses.  With the Government debating the possibilities of learner drivers having to take 120 hrs of professional instruction, opportunities are increasing and we are always looking to increase our team of Instructors.  You will often see potential earnings advertised as £30 -£40K per year.  This IS an achievable figure. We offer a fully structured, individually tailored training package depending on your experience and requirements.  We will see you through your Examinations from Part 1, your Theory and Hazard Perception, Part 2, Your Driving Ability Test, give any necessary training, help, advice and support up to your Part 3 Examination, the Instructional Ability Test.  We will also support you in obtaining a Trainee Licence if you require one. Please use our contacts form for further information...more>>