Frequently Asked Questions
Mike Hinton
DVSA Approved
Driving Instructor
Below you will find some of the most common questions that are asked. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please get in touch using our contact page.
As the driving test waiting times are so long at the moment, this means that the waiting list to start lessons is also quite a while.
We do have a waiting list. The best advice is to get in touch using the Message Us buttons on the home page of this site where you will be advised on the current waiting time and if we are able to add you to the waiting list
Mike is extremely patient with nervous drivers. Mike has lots of experience helping drivers become fully confident in their ability to take their driving test and gain confidence on all the aspects of the road. Using skills and techniques built up through experience Mike will work patiently with you to improve your confidence and ability so you can confidently take your driving test. Your lessons will be adapted to suit your learning style so that the training works best for you.
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The fees applied in respect of lesson cancellations are as follows:
48 hours (2 days) notice is required to cancel any driving lesson. No fee is due.
All cancellations between 24-48 hours (1 day) before your lesson is due, half the lesson fee must be paid.
If less than 24 hours (1 day) notice is given, the full lesson fee must be paid.
If you suspend taking your driving lessons within a block of pre paid lessons for a period of 12 weeks or more, then any remaining lessons will be forfeited.
Should your instructor cancel your driving lesson for any reason, no financial penalty will apply and your lesson will be re-arranged at no additional charge to you.
Mike Hinton Driving School cannot be held responsible for any mechanical or electrical failure which may cause the prevention or termination of a lesson or driving test. If the weather is too severe to take a lesson, the lesson can be re-arranged at no extra cost to you .The decision will be made considering your ability and any advice given by motoring organisations. If you decide to cancel at short notice due to weather and the conditions are suitable to drive, the lesson will be chargeable
Suspension of Lessons/Putting Lessons on Hold
If you suspend your lessons, your space cannot be guaranteed when you want to resume your lessons. You may need to join the waiting list until a free space comes up.
If you suspend taking any pre-paid tuition for a period of 12 weeks or more, any remaining tuition owed will be forfeited. Prices may be adjusted at any time with reasonable notice.
At the end of your lesson, you can discuss your goals and reflect on your lesson. But, asking “what can I do before my next lesson”, will give you the ideas of what you can do. Some of the things you can do to minimise the time you are paying for in a car are:
Private Practice:
We encourage students to do some practice between lessons with parents, family members, or a partner where possible. We will always give advice on what kind of practice would be most beneficial. It will help your learning progress and give you experience.
It is important to remember that anyone supervising a learner driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.
Watch Videos
Quite often, you can use youtube (you instructor can recommend good videos) to watch videos on the topics you are learning, need to improve on or even the next lesson’s topics. That way you will minimise the time needed for your instructor to give you the knowledge and they can just help you with putting your knowledge into practice.
Observe your parents/friends driving
We spend a lot of time in cars, but most people don’t ask or observe others driving. Just asking whoever is driving you, what they are doing, why and observing if you would have done the same thing, can help you massively. If you keep thinking about driving between lessons, your brain will subconsciously also think of ways to solve the problems you may have. Just learning to drive on your driving lessons will extend the number you need. However, the learner drivers that we have who are more dedicated and excited to learn to drive tend to do this automatically and have a better knowledge and understanding of their lessons.
Reflective Logs
Completing a reflective log between lessons will keep your learning points and aims fresh in your mind. This will also help you learn and think about driving when you are not just in the car.
The purpose of the Reflective Log is to help you self reflect on what has gone well in your lesson, where you need to develop your skill further, and set the objective for your next lesson. This will help you come prepared and accelarate your learning.
Use handouts
Does your driving instructor have handouts or other learning material you can use? If so then use them!
The number of lessons required varies from student to student and is dependent on many factors, such as age, availability and learning style. Your progress will be monitored and discussed each week to keep you informed.
Your instructor will agree to book your driving test once you have met the required criteria and have passed a 'mock test' assessment to prove your readiness.You must be able to demonstrate the ability to drive completely independently without any instructor intervention, except for giving directions, and to the required standard. As a rough guide, check out our 'Learning to Drive/How many lessons' section on this website which will give you an idea.
You need to be at least 17 years of age and hold a provisional license from the DVLA.
You can apply for a provisional license by filling in a form from the post office. You cannot start driving until you have your provisional license.
You must be able to read a standard car number plate at 20.5 metres. This will be tested on your first lesson. If you cannot read the number plate, you are not legally allowed to drive. Remember to wear any corrective glasses or contact lenses if you need them for every lesson.
Absolutely, We encourage students to do some practice between lessons with parents, family members, or a partner where possible. We will always give advice on what kind of practice would be most beneficial. It will help your learning progress and give you experience.
It is important to remember that anyone supervising a learner driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.
Your instructor will agree to book your driving test once you have met the required criteria and have passed a 'mock test' assessment to prove your readiness. You must be able to demonstrate the ability to drive completely independently without any instructor intervention, except for giving directions, and to the required standard.
Absolutely not! We guarantee your instructor will behave in a polite and professional manner. We adhere to the ADI code of practice set out by the DVSA which has clear rules on driving instructor conduct. They will teach at your pace and try to make lessons fun. Check out our testimonials page for more feedback.
Taking the wrong turn on a driving test is not a big problem in itself. Driving faults, both minor and serious, are only awarded if there are errors with your driving skills. So as long every action is safely carried out, no marks will appear on your test report.
Remember that you can ask examiners to repeat or confirm directions if you are unsure. This also is the case for the independent driving exercise where you will follow directions given to you by an examiner or from a satnav system.
Foreign licence holders from countries specified on the DVLA website are generally allowed to drive in the UK for 12 months but have to pass a test before this time elapses in order to continue to drive as a “full licence holder”. To apply for the test foreign licence holders need a provisional licence just as UK applicants, but don’t have to display “L”-plates and don’t have to drive under supervision within the 12 months period. However, we highly recommend to take driving lessons with a professional instructor – even if you are an experienced driver.