Intensive Driving Courses

An intensive driving course is an alternate method to learning to drive in the traditional sense, namely, taking one or two lessons each week, spread over a given period. However, an intensive learn to drive course does not suit everyone, as the individual will need to retain and put into practice a great deal of information over a short period of time.
Before embarking on an intensive driving course, you should consider the following:
On average, the pass rate for someone taking their driving test following lessons in the traditional sense is 42% (DSA statistics), whereas for those taking intensive courses it drops to approximately 35%. Therefore just over 1 in 3 people fail their driving test at the first attempt using this method.
Before anyone takes a driving test they will have to reach a minimum standard. Anything less than the minimum would mean they were not ready to sit the test. The disadvantage of taking an intensive course is that once you begin the course, you forfeit the ability to cancel the driving test without losing the fee as you will not be able to give the required 10 working days notice.
On the day of your test, if in the opinion of your instructor your driving is potentially dangerous or actually dangerous, we reserve the right to withdraw the tuition vehicle from service (you are advised to read our full terms and conditions).
If, after considering the above, you think an intensive driving course is for you then please carefully note the following information:
The Theory and Hazard Perception TestsYou will need to pass the above before you will be eligible to apply for a practical driving test. This should be arranged and paid for by you. The above therefore needs to be applied for and passed as soon as possible. Appointments for both the driving theory test and practical driving tests can be made either on line or by telephone through the Driving Standards Agency. All necessary information can be found at their website at www.dsa.gov.uk.
The Practical Driving TestThis can be arranged and paid for by you. The current cost of a weekday test is £48.50.
The Course and CostsGiven that Driving Standards Agency statistics suggest an average person should look to undertake around 40 hours of training before they will be ready to sit the test, you should therefore consider the options available below.
Please note the following costs:
Option 1 – Bronze (32 Hour Course)The total cost for ‘option1' £576 This will usually consist of 7 hours of tuition per day for the first four days, followed by 4 hours of tuition on the final day. A typical day for this length of course would be 0900 to 1600hrs.
Option 2 – Silver (36 Hour Course)The total cost for ‘option 2' £648 This will usually consist of 7.5 hours of tuition per day for the first four days, followed by 6 hours of tuition on the final day. A typical day for this length of course would be 0900 to 1630hrs.
Option 3 – Gold (40 Hour Course)The total cost for ‘option 3' £720 This will usually consist of 8 hours of tuition per day. A typical day for this length of course would be 0900 to 1700hrs.
Remember. The more hours you are prepared to put in, the better your chance of passing your test!
Please note that it is not absolutely necessary to take a week's intensive driving training with a driving test on the Friday of the same week. Many pupils undertake the intensive course and then take the driving test a couple of weeks later. Feedback from past pupils suggests this is a preferred method, as it will allow you to take the intensive driving course without the pressure of the test immediately at the end, and also allows flexibility when arranging the test date itself.
PaymentA deposit of £100 will be payable within seven working days of arranging the dates of the course. .
The outstanding balance is payable no less than 14 working days prior to the test.
Please note that due to the complexity of arranging suitable course and test dates, deposits are non refundable. However, if for any reason your instructor is unable to conduct the course, you will receive a full refund.
Payment can be made by cash (it is recommended that you send this by insured delivery) or cheque. All cheques should be made payable to 1st Call School of Motoring and sent to the address listed on our contacts page.
Should you wish to proceed with arranging an intensive driving course or require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Who should teach me to drive?

The Driving Standards Agency strongly recommends that you take lessons from an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and there is no doubt that this is the best and safest way to learn.
Any person who gives car-driving lessons for payment or reward must be registered with the Driving Standards Agency, and he or she is required to display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition car. To drive safely on today’s roads requires a higher standard of competence than in the past and the standard required to pass the Driving Test has increased to reflect this.

1st Call Driving Schools have a proven track record and have established themselves as a market leader in the delivery of professional driver training. All instructors are DSA approved and continuously checked and supervised by both the DSA and 1st Call management staff.
1st Call provides cost effective driver training in a safe and friendly environment. Founder Paul Atkinson is a former DSA Examiner and understands the needs of today's learner drivers.
Practising your driving
If you practise your driving with another qualified driver, they must have held a full EC/EEA Driving Licence for the category of vehicle being driven for at least three years. And they must be at least 21 years of age.
Also, unless they are an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), they’re not legally allowed to charge for giving driving lessons or for accompanying a driver. And it’s also an offence to accept money for fuel unless you are an ADI.
Beware – anyone who does not comply with these requirements could be liable for a maximum fine of £1,000, discretionary disqualification or 3-6 penalty points (as could you, the learner driver).

What do I need to start learning to drive?

You need to be at a legal age to drive and have a Provisional Licence. The minimum age that you can legally drive a car on public roads is 17. If you’re disabled and receive mobility allowance, the minimum age is 16. Before you can learn to drive though, you’ll need to apply for a Provisional Licence. While the minimum driving age in most European countries is 18, there are no definite plans to increase the legal age in the UK.

Getting your provisional licence
To get this you must complete a D1 – the Driving Licence application form. It’s available from most post offices. The earliest date your Provisional Licence can be valid from is your seventeenth birthday, but you can apply for the licence up to three months before then. If you receive your Provisional Licence before you’re 17, you’ll still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test. You must not drive until you’ve received this first Provisional Licence and have reached your seventeenth birthday.
The current cost of a first provisional licence is £38.00 (for a car, motorcycle, medium/large vehicle, minibus/bus). It is also worthwhile having an eyesight test to check that you meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving.
Please remember that all learner drivers are required to display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) in a conspicuous position on the front and back of the vehicle they are driving. And until the day you pass the practical part of the Driving Test you’re not allowed to drive on your own.

Practical Test top 10 failures

The top 10 reasons for failure
More people fail the practical test each year than pass it and the DSA regularly publishes the top 10 reasons why learner drivers fail their Practical Driving Test.

However, it’s probably safe to say that most of these failures could be avoided if you make sure you take enough lessons and get enough practice. You should only take your test when your instructor tells you that you’re ready – don’t take the test just for the experience.

1. Not making effective observations and poor judgment when emerging out of side roads

2. Incorrect use of the controls and/or poor observations when reverse parking

3. Not making effective use of the mirrors well before changing direction or slowing down

4. Poor use of the controls and/or weak observation when reversing round a corner

5. Incorrect use of signals either by not cancelling signals or by giving misleading ones

6. Failure to move away correctly from stationary positions, usually due to poor observation

7. Incorrect road position, usually on bends, and poor lane discipline on roundabouts

8. Poor steering control, such as when making left or right turns

9. Incorrect position when turning right such as in one-way streets

10. Hesitation causing delay, usually by not pulling out promptly at junctions

1st Call Driving School instructors are specially trained to spot potential problems and to offer practical solutions to any issues.

Good luck, and you can alway give us a call should you need any help.

08456431679
1st Call Driving School

Getting Started With Your Driving Lessons

Take the first step to getting your full driving licence and the freedom of being able to drive a car unrestricted from place to place, forget the bus or train, and just join the many that have successfully passed through 1st Call Driving Schools.

To help you on your way to taking your practical and theory test, your 1st 10 lessons will cost just £160 saving £30!

Although there will be a lot for you to learn, you need not worry as your qualified driving instructor is at hand to help you pass your driving test and become one of the many safe drivers that have passed through our hands.

Make yourself comfortable, adjust you seat and driving mirror, fasten your seatbelt and begin your journey to that date with the driving test examiner.

For more information visit Driving Lessons The 1st Step

1st Call in the Paper

Last weeks Skelmersdale Champion ran an excellent story about 1st Call allongside a 'not so excellent' team photo.

The story was highlighting our 'keep it safe' courses which are aimed at older drivers who may have an issue with a particular aspect of driving, such as motorways or parking.

You can view our 'keep it safe' page here Keep it Safe

Also mentioned in the artical was our charitable work, inparticular the work we have done with the Bryn Melvin foundation and for the Baby Emma appeal in Skelmersdale.

New areas update

It's been a while since my last post so I thought it would be usefull to highlight our new areas.

1st Call now covers; Wigan, Warrington, Manchester, Stockport, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Horwich, Chorley, Skelmersdale, Ormskirk, Southport, Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Liverpool, Bootle, Speke, St Helens, Runcorn, Widnes, Chester, Birkenhead, Dartford.

For a complete area list visit http://www.1st-call.co.uk/areaslink.html

Thanks

Paul