Test Valley Driving

A sad but pretty realistic account of where we all are with regards to booking practical tests. This is not getting easier, despite what the DVSA tell us all

Revealed: the dirty secrets of the UK’s driving test ‘black market’ ‘My details were used for 53 bookings across the country’

Another fantastic day with the Superdrive Junior Academy for under 17s near Andover. This was the first of the season for me but many more are planned over the coming sunny months. Still as enjoyable and rewarding as ever, from both the student and my point of view.

Many congrats to Alex, Rory (camera shy), Alice and Noah for their great driving skills

It's a first time pass this morning in Wi******er.

Iestyn came to me last year but his job takes him abroad and rarely allowed for consistent lessons. Therefore we decided we should take a break until he had a clear diary and then filled this with 30 hours intensive course.

It paid dividends. Many congratulations and very well deserved

Parking is never easy, but made harder by the fact that cars are much bigger than years ago but the parking space is typically the same size

Parked drivers struggling to get out of their vehicle as cars get wider, says survey Churchill estimates damage caused by people having mishaps with tight parking spaces costs UK drivers £424m every year.

This is Dylan.
Dylan just did himself proud and I don't think it has quite sunk in yet. The emotion came out as soon as he knew he'd passed, so much so that he didn't realise he only had 1 fault on the first time of asking.

It's been an absolute pleasure. Dylan always came to each lesson with thoughts, questions and helped me create a plan each week. I know this will open up his life. Keep safe and remember to wave!

The smile says it all..
Massive congratulations to Lydia who had a fabulous first time pass in Salisbury this morning with some very positive reflections from the Examiner.

Lydia initially started lessons on a weekly basis and then with a test booked, we moved to a semi-intensive 20hr week which paid dividends. Enjoy the freedom and keep safe

Driving Instructor Day is held today, 16th March, with the first ever being in 2022!

But why the 16th of March I hear you cry. Well, that was the date of the first ever driving test to be passed, way back in 1935.

While most of the city was asleep, David was nailing his driving test in Wi******er this morning.

I first met David last year as he wanted to convert his Chinese licence to GB. Retraining a driver with overseas experience is considerably harder than training someone from the start. On our first assessment, David racked up 45 faults which showed the task in hand.

With time and a lot of hard work, today he passed with just 1 fault. I'm a very happy bunny today!

It's a first time pass for Leah this morning. If there's ever a case for second guessing or self criticism, Leah has it convered. She thought she had failed. Examiner made a point of telling her, far from it, she only had 1 fault and drove beautifully. The test even included a turn in the road as a van was blocking our way. Never a dull day on the roads.

Leah's a bit camera shy, hence the generic photo.

Please welcome Michelle on to the road with a very well deserved pass this morning in Wi******er. I don't think she can quite believe what she has achieved and how this will change her life. It has taken a wee while but you did yourself proud. See you on the road!

So here we have it, young Will from Whitchurch did himself immensely proud on his driving test in a wet and miserable Basingstoke this morning.

Apart from a brain fart for the Tell Me question, he nailed his test with a clean sheet and I couldn't be happier for him. Be like Will!

BBC News - Car insurance: Young drivers risk fraud to save on costs

Car insurance: Young drivers risk fraud to save on costs Insurance industry says young drivers could be tempted to break the law as insurance gets more expensive.

Happy Christmas Jumper Day peeps

Let's hear it for Sophie who well and truly nailed her test this morning in a wet Wi******er. She was so close to perfection, Examiner Neil had very little to say.

That's the way, aha aha, I like it...

I am delighted by this news. Maria has been with me for 2 years. She's worked so hard. She's moved from a scared and reticent driver to someone who drives with increasing confidence and is able to hold her own against some pretty awful decisions from other drivers.
The hard work and additional revision of videos and extra hours on the road has paid off today.

Today is also Maria's BIRTHDAY!

The perils of following sat nav without opening your eyes to the bigger picture...

Tourists using sat-nav jam car in narrow Tenby footpath "No-one's ever got a vehicle down there before," says the mechanic who helped free it.

Do you have a patient manner and great communication skills to put a learner driver taking their test at ease? 🚗

We’re looking for 120 new permanent driving examiners to join our busy team. Posts are based all over Great Britain at various driving test centres. ✅

You don’t need a background in driver training or any other driving related profession. We’ll give you all the training you need. Take a look below: 👇

North west, West Midlands & Wales - https://ow.ly/t01k50PS0ga

London and South East - https://ow.ly/nB6Y50PS0gb

East of England, East Midlands, South West - https://ow.ly/PBjy50PS0gh

Scotland, North East, Yorks & Humber - https://ow.ly/ECAF50PS0gc

Closing date for all jobs is 13 October.

The new website is now live.
TestValleyDriving.com

It's only the second website I have built so please be gentle!

To celebrate, the car has gone all spotty in aid of Children in Need (November 17) and in memory of one of my trainers and mentors, the wonderful Lou Walsh who was tragically taken far too soon.

Massive congratulations to Jake for passing his test in Wi******er yesterday. Jake took his own pride and joy for the test and nailed it. Having moved out of the area, Jake came back to me for a few more lessons and mock tests to set himself up nicely for the pass.

I have special thanks and gratitude to Jake for stepping up and being my student for my very own Standards Check pass.

Enjoy this moment and enjoy the freedom (safely)!

‘An absolute mess’: learner drivers forced to buy tests on black market as companies block-book slots As brokers exploit the hunt for tests with an automated ‘bot’ system, many are paying extortionate fees to ditch their L-plates