Choosing a Driving Instructor

Only Approved Driving Instructors and Driving Instructors who are under training and licensed by the DSA can give driving tuition in return for payment. Whilst anyone with a full driving licence over the age of 21 can accompany you whilst you learn to drive, it is illegal for anyone other than a DSA Licensed Driving Instructor or part trained and licensed Instructor to charge for driving lessons in the UK. Research shows that 90% of people who pass the driving test on their first attempt had lessons from a DSA approved Driving Instructor rather than a friend or relative.

Your Driving Instructor should display a badge inside the car. A green octagonal shaped badge indicates that your instructor is fully qualified and an "Approved Driving Instructor" whilst a triangular pink badge indicates that the instructor is a licensed trainee Driving Instructor who hasn't yet completed training. If your instructor doesn't display a badge then ask to see it. If they can't produce one then you should consider reporting the Driving Instructor to the DSA

DSA Driving Instructor badges

A lot of Driving Schools in the North West use these "Pink Badge" Instructors, it is usually these Driving Schools that offer the cheap lessons. Use your own judgement but for the sake of a few pounds per hour difference it may be wiser to go with a Driving School that uses Fully Qualified ADIs.

Some Driving Schools in the North West offer trial driving lessons. These are a great idea as they allow you to try the car and see what you think about the Driving Instructor before committing to taking Driving Lessons with them. Here are some Driving Schools in the North West UK who offer a trial driving lesson for £10:

Trial Driving Lessons in Warrington
Trial Driving Lessons in Wigan
Trial Driving Lessons in St Helens
Trial Driving Lessons in Liverpool

Don't be afraid to ask questions when you first phone a Driving School. Some of the questions you may want to ask are.

• Do you have more than one pupil in the car at the same time or will it be one to one tuition?
• Are your Driving Instructors all Green Badge holders?
• Do you offer discounts for 2 hour driving lessons?
• What is your pass rate?
• Do you offer reduced rate trial Driving Lessons?
• How old and what make are your Driving School cars?

The best way to find a Driving Instructor is to have one recommended to you. Second to that is to find a company that displays their recent driving test successes on their websites. Some North West Driving Schools have a Driving School Facebook page that often shows recent passes and sometimes also exclusive offers. 

Pass Rates Statistics for North West Driving Test Centres:

Liverpool (Garston) 46.05%

St Helens                 43.15%

Wigan                      46.88%

Warrington              45.72%

Driving School Warrington | Driving School Wigan | Driving School St Helens | Driving School Liverpool

Changes to Driving Theory Test 2012

From January 2012 the Theory part of the driving test has changed slightly. Due to concerns from the DSA the multiple choice questions will no longer be those that are published in learning materials. It has been suggested that people learning to drive were simply memorising the questions and answers rather than actually understand the questions and the relevant answers.

New theory test revision materials are available for people learning to drive that will help them with the new live multiple choice questions. For further help on the driving theory test, taking driving lessons or preparing for your driving test, visit the links below

Learning to drive in Warrington
Learning to drive in Liverpool
Learning to drive in Wigan
Learning to drive in Bolton
Learning to drive in St Helens

What are the show me tell me questions?

The first task that you will be asked to complete on your practical driving test is to answer two questions relating to car maintenence/safety. There are 19 pre-set questions and you will be asked only two of them. One question will require you to show the examiner how do to something and the other question will ask you to tell the examiner something. You will not fail your driving test if you answer the questions incorrectly however it will be recorded as 1 driver fault (a minor fault) if you answer one or both of the questions incorrectly.

It is important that you are confident with the answers to these questions as getting them correct will get you off to a good start and feeling more confident at the beginning of your test. If you set off on your driving test feeling like you have made a mess of the show and tell answers then it will distract you at the beginnning of the drive itself.

Here is a list of the questions and answers as published by the DSA in January 2011:

Q1 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.

Q2 Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

Identify high / low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to fill up to the correct level when the engine is cold.

Q3 Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high / low markings.

Q4 Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level. 

Open the bonnet and identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

Q5 Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressure for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturers guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

Q6 Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
Check that there are no cuts and bulges and there is at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

Q7 Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slake. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

Q8 Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. (No need to exit vehicle)
Operate light switch (turn on ignition if necessary). As this is now a ‘Tell me’ question, there is no need to physically check the lights.

Q9 Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some head restraints might not be adjustable.

Q10 Tell me how you know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system.
Warning light on the dashboard should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system.

Q11 Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Q12 Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you) If you need to switch the ignition on, please don’t start the engine.
Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors etc, or ask someone to help. As this is now a show me question, the examiner may check the brake lights for you. You may need to switch the ignition on, however you should not start the engine.

Q13 Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.
Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators. You may need to switch the ignition on, however you should not start the engine.

Q14 Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only)
Check is carried out by using control. You may need to switch the engine on, however don’t start the car.

Q15 Show me how you would check the parking brake (handbrake) for excessive wear: Make sure you keep safe control of the vehicle.
Apply foot brake firmly. Demonstrate by applying parking brake (Handbrake) so that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

Q16 Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers.
Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen. You may need to switch ignition on, however you should not start the engine.

Q17: Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear the windows effectively. This should include both front and rear screens.
Set all relevant controls including: fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration.

Q18 Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light (s) and explain when you would use it / them. (No need to exit vehicle. Please don’t start the engine).
Operate switch turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary) Check warning light is on. Explain when you would use fog lights.

Q19 Show me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

If you like what you've read and are serious about passing your test then take a look at us on Facebook at facebook.com/monarchsom or visit our website. We currently have instructors covering St Helens, Liverpool, Wigan, Warrington and Bolton. 

Independent Driving - Why is this included in the driving test?

In October 2010 the DSA changed the driving test to include "independent driving". The test itself still lasts approximately 40 minutes however to make time for this new exercise they have dropped one of the reversing manoeuvres so that you now only have to complete one.  See this Independent Driving Tips about independent driving.


Through research it has been identified that one of the main difficulties encountered by novice drivers once they have passed their test is that of driving alone - nerves, decision making, navigation, anticipation and awareness.  As a learner driver you will be used to hearing your instructor direct you by saying things such as "turn left at the end of the road" or "at the roundabout turn right 3rd exit".  When these directions are taken out of the equation it is interesting to see the impact that it has on the pupils driving skills, both on lessons and on the test - I have witnessed both scenarios many times around Liverpool and St Helens.


The act of the instructor/examiner giving a direction is immediately prompting the pupil that there is a hazard ahead (a hazard meaning something that they either need to slow down or change direction for).. and so prompts the pupil to check mirrors, signal if necessary and slow down. Evidently, when the direction instructions are no longer being provided then the pupil has no prompt of the oncoming hazard and only has their own observations, knowledge and anticipation skills to depend on.


I have observed the following common faults on the independent part of the driving test:

• Failing to check mirror's
• Failing to signal
• Not slowing down early enough/or not slowing down at all
• Not noticing the vehicle in front slowing down as too busy looking at road signs
• Changing lane too late or not changing lane at all
• Going the wrong way
• Failing to give way

Indeed these faults can occur anyway, even when being provided with directions however it seems to occur more frequently when the directions are omitted.


What exactly is independent driving?
In the independent section of your driving test you may be asked to follow road signs, for example "follow the road signs for Liverpool until I tell you otherwise".  This seems to be a fair and realistic task to do as this is something that you will definitely need to be able to do after you have passed your test.  The alternative option is that you may be given a set of three verbal instructions for which you are supposed to memorise. For example "turn right at the first roundabout (third exit, signposted St. Helens), then turn left at the second roundabout (first exit), and then turn right at the third roundabout (third exit)". Despite the examiner showing you a visual aid of the intended route (which is not designed to be a map and is by no means realistic or to scale) it is very unlikely that you will remember all three instructions.  Remember, the driving test is a test of your ability to drive safely and not a test of your navigation skills or ability to follow verbal instructions.  You may ask the examiner which way you need to go as many times as you wish.  What I always advise my pupils is to simply remember the first instruction "turn right at the first roundabout (third exit, signposted St. Helens)" and then once completed make sure you ask the examiner for the next instruction.  It is no use waiting until you have approached the second roundabout in the incorrect lane and then asking for the direction - so make sure you stay on the ball.  Any good instructor can advise you on how best to "play the game".


Is the introduction of independent driving a good thing?
In my opinion... yes.  Can you imagine having a full UK driving licence if you were so open to making the above mistakes?


Has the change to the test affected the pass rates?
The DSA envisaged the national pass rate to drop from approximately 50% to 25% with the introduction of independent driving however no results statistics have been published yet. With the correct training you can and will be one of the estimated 25% who pass, remember it is important to have enough practise before you take your practical driving test so cutting back on lessons and practise wont pay off . You could use an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) such as the team at Monarch Driving School and if you are lucky enough to have friends of family who meet the criteria for accompanying a learner driver then you can get some valuable practise outside of your formal driving lessons.

How many driving lessons will I need?

This really is a hard one to answer, in fact until Your first driving lesson it's impossible to say and even then it is only an estimate. Most pupils need around 50 hours however some need double and others can get away with less than 10!

Not only do you have to get used to driving, which involves clutch control, manoeuvres and so on but you also need to learn some road craft. Often students of mine have owned a motorcycle and so have some idea of road craft. Others simply have never really taken much notice of lane position, traffic islands and so on and all these things need to be learnt. As mentioned in a previous post it's important that when choosing a driving instructor you speak to them first and ask about how your lessons will be structured. Learning to drive is quite simply like learning everything else, Once you are used to the basics of car control you can then begin to learn how to drive safely, it's like following a curriculum. Sadly some instructors especially those who have been doing it years can sometimes be complacent.

We offer a trial lesson for £10, this does two things, you get to meet us and see how we approach things and we get to give you feedback on how many lessons we think you may need.

Take a look at us on Facebook at facebook.com/monarchsom or visit our website. We currently have instructors in Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire covering St Helens, Warrington, Liverpool, Wigan, Bolton.

Choosing a Driving School

When you first learn how to drive one of the most common concerns is cost! What often happens is that people choose a driving instructor based entirely on the hourly price of the lesson. 

We conducted a survey on facebook to find what factors people found important when choosing a driving instructor. The results were quite interesting. 

The choices we gave were

1. Hourly cost
2. Type of car
3. Choice of Male / Female instructor
4. Success rate

What we found is that people who hadn't started to learn yet chose Hourly cost as their primary factor when choosing an instructor whilst the people who had already started to learn or had passed chose Success Rate as their main factor. 

What we found is that often the instructors who advertise low hourly rates generally give poor instruction and simply "milk" their students for as many hours as they can. 

Its perhaps a good idea to find a balance between cost and success. We have had clients come to us after having up to 70 lessons with an other instructor! They have been told that they aren't yet ready to take their practical test and yet they are more than ready to take it! Find an instructor who gives structured lessons, by that I mean that each lesson has an objective and you learn something each lesson rather than just driving around. 

An ideal way of choosing a driving instructor is to have one recommended by somebody who has recently passed, failing that, check out the company website or facebook page, phone them and speak to the instructor, ask about success rates and structured lessons. You should be able to get a feel for the person and the driving school over the phone. Ask about driving lesson offers as most instructors offer discounts for block bookings etc. 

Just keep in mind, If you were learning to play golf would you rather pay Tiger Woods £20 per hour for 20 hours or would you rather pay some bloke who thinks he's Tiger Woods and likes the sound of his own voice £9 per hour for 100 hours?