Trying something new can always feel daunting. Especially when your livelihood is on the line and there’s financial commitment involved. That’s why we’re letting you try before you buy!
Our ADI Free Trial allows you to try before you buy. Using and experiencing our services for 30 days, completely FREE of charge. Not only is our ADI Trial free of charge, there’s ZERO obligations to stay with us or sign up!
Let us show you how great we are. In 30 days, we will give you the full 1st 4 Driving experience. You’re not obligated to stay but everyone who’s taken advantage of our Free Trial so far is still with us now! That’s a testament to the quality of the services we offer.
It may not work out between us but don’t worry – that’s life. No hard feelings! You can walk away at the end of your 30 day trial – and keep the pupils we gave you. We wish you all the best. At 1st 4 Driving we want the best for every driving instructor. (Which we believe is us). However, on the odd occasion that this isn’t the case, we completely understand!
And that’s exactly why we offer this trial! Offering a 30 day Free Trial to ADI’s like yourself, allows us to prove ourselves to you as the right driving school for you. When you try before you buy, you So, you must be wondering what’s included in this franchise you’re trialling?
No hidden fees of any kind. Just one simple weekly franchise payment
Competitive lesson rates
Confirmed, booked driving lessons, not just leads/details
Unlimited pupils. You just tell us when to stop booking!
Branded polo shirts
Free Premium lesson planner
Pre-paid driving lessons, no financial loss due to short notice cancellations
Paid weekly, get paid for your lessons every Wednesday
Welcome packs and free theory training for every pupil
The ball is entirely in your court! If you felt this service wasn’t for you, just let us know you unfortunately won’t be continuing with us. We will ask that you return any livery/resources provided but your pupils are yours to keep.
However, if you make the enhancing decision to continue using our services and set up a franchise with us, you’ll be given a 30 day rolling contract to sign with us. Once this has been signed, a weekly fee of **£89.20** will be set up as a direct debit using GoCardless and your services will seamlessly continue.
**current franchise fee prices are based on a multiplier of the lesson rates, could be subject to change if lesson rates increase**
So what are you waiting for?
It’s time to try before you buy! Send us an enquiry today and we can get your trial set up for you! To get in touch you can:
Dave Foster MA, Dip.DI (or Driving School Dave) is the most qualified driving school owner in the country, after completing his Master’s Degree in Driver Training Education in 2011 at Middlesex University. He also holds a diploma in Driving Instruction and is a Cert Ed. qualified teacher. Dave is the founder and Managing Director of 1st 4 Driving Ltd, and also looks after over 15 driving schools across the country on a consultancy basis.
Taking your driving lessons can feel very exciting when you’re working towards earning yourself that shiny driving licence. You may have incentives such as driving yourself to work/college, going out with friends or being able to pick the kids up from school! Whatever reason you want your driving licence for, everybody’s goal remains the same. Who doesn’t want a first time pass?
Private practise
Obviously, taking regular driving lessons is what will teach you a majority of what you need to know. However continuing to practise what you learn between lessons will enhance your progression. If you have your own car already or you have a friend/family member who has a car, this is a great opportunity for private practise. You must be supervised by someone 21 or older and they must have held their driving licence for at least 3 years. Additionally, you must of course insure yourself on the car for learner insurance. A highly recommended company for this is Veygo. Using a private practice record card (available on the Learner Hub for 1st 4 Driving pupils) can help you keep track of what you’ve practised between lessons.
Your instructor may give you homework, things to work on in your own car so that when you turn up for your next lesson, you can demonstrate your improvements and move on. Most driving instructors will use a Lesson Planner to aid you in your lessons. These Lesson Planners also help the instructor to guide you through each topic. We understand not all friends/family members are up to speed with the DVSA standards and it may be difficult for them to guide/teach you without the knowledge to back them up. Therefore, we produced a Learn from Home Lesson Planner to enhance your private practise experience.
Resources
I’m sure when you booked your theory test, you rushed to purchase the Highway Code and all the books on road signs, signed up to all the apps and did everything you could to ensure a first time pass. Despite the fact you’re taking practical driving lessons, the use of resources are just as helpful. To secure the first time pass, you need to pull out all the stops. Our YouTube Channel is full of videos for pupils learning to drive and wanting a first time pass. With videos on all sorts of different units, you can take your pick:
While all the above is going to be super helpful in getting a first time pass, reading this book will be revolutionary. Written specifically for helping pupils to pass their driving test first time, it is a must have for all hoping for a first time pass. Industry expert Dave Foster has 20 years of experience behind him with thousands of first time passes of his own, and has utilised this experience to write a book dedicated to getting a first time pass. With this book, you open yourself to the opportunity of passing your driving test first time. Every aspect of the driving test is covered as well as dealing with possible test nerves. No stone is left unturned. For as little as £4.49, you can guarantee yourself a first time pass. That’s a lot cheaper than £62 for a second attempt at the driving test! You clicked on this article to find out how to pass your driving test first time, well all the answers are in this book!
Order your copy today to begin your journey to mastering your driving test and earning a first time pass, available as an e-book or paperback copy.
Dave Foster MA, Dip.DI (or Driving School Dave) is the most qualified driving school owner in the country, after completing his Master’s Degree in Driver Training Education in 2011 at Middlesex University. He also holds a diploma in Driving Instruction and is a Cert Ed. qualified teacher. Dave is the founder and Managing Director of 1st 4 Driving Ltd, and also looks after over 15 driving schools across the country on a consultancy basis.
The driving test journey can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience for learners across the UK. However, amidst the recent challenges posed by the DVSA (Driver Vehicle Standards Agency) backlog, aspiring drivers have encountered significant delays in securing their driving test slots. The frustration caused by prolonged waiting times might tempt some learners to take their driving test too early. In this article, we will explore the consequences of rushing into a driving test and the importance or preparation. Moreover, we’ll provide valuable tips to increase your chances of passing driving test with confidence.
The Impact of the DVSA Backlog⏳
The DVSA backlog has cast a shadow on the driving test process, causing unprecedented delays in scheduling driving tests for learners. The surge in demand, coupled with the restrictions and adaptations necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to extensive waiting times, leaving learners anxious and uncertain about their test dates. This backlog has created a challenging situation for both learners and driving instructors, as they navigate the uncertainties of the testing system.
The backlog has been worsened as a result of the number of pupils who are trying to take their driving test too early. In some cases, pupils are travelling over 100 miles to a test centre for available tests. Now I am sure you can all see how this compounds the problem. A pupil who is not ready, trying to ‘have a go’ or ‘take a chance’ in an area they don’t know. The test is failed, the pupils blames the nerves and the cycle starts again. A pupil local to the area who may be ready to take their test is still waiting as someone from another area came down, took a slot and failed. Nerves, well of course they are nervous, wouldn’t you be?
The Perils of Taking Your Driving Test Too Early❌
Amidst the frustration of waiting for a test slot, learners may be tempted to take their driving test prematurely. However, rushing in to the test without adequate preparation can lead to several perils:
a) A lack of Confidence: Hasty test attempts may leave learners feeling unprepared and lacking confidence, resulting in increased nerves during the test potentially causing more mistakes. Confidence plays a significant role in driving, and feeling under prepared can significantly impact your performance on the road.
b) Increased Risk of Accidents: Insufficient practice and experience can increase the risk of accidents on the road, endangering both the learner and other road users. It is essential to gain sufficient experience and develop your driving skills before attempting the test. Having worked for over two decades in this industry, one of those decades working with drivers who were caught speeding, crashed because of undue care and attention, and mobile phone use while driving. I have seen first-had what poor training can result in. What do you want for yourself? Or parents, what do you want for your child? To scrape a pass because of luck on the day, only to become a risk to others and themselves on the road? Or do you want your child to be a safe and confident driver?
c) Wasting Money: Failing the driving test due to premature attempts can lead to a waste of time and money. The cost of retaking the test, coupled with additional driving lessons can accumulate significantly. It is more cost-effective to invest time in proper preparation before attempting the test.
d) Time Wasted: Failing the test means having to wait longer for another available slot, adding to the frustration and delaying the opportunity to obtain a drivers licence. This can be particularly frustrating when there is already a backlog in test scheduling. You also end up taking up a slot someone who is ready could have had. Imagine you are ready and waiting to take your test but there aren’t any spaces for you to take it because someone else who isn’t even test ready has booked it and failed due to lack of preparation, you’d feel so frustrated that a slot you could have had was wasted!
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Passing↗
Instead of yielding to impatience, it is crucial to prioritise preparation. Here are some valuable tips to increase your chances of passing the driving test with flying colours🌈
a) Quality Driving Instruction: Enrol in professional driving lessons with a trained driving instructor. A skilled instructor will not only teach you driving skills but also instil safe driving habits and road awareness. Their guidance will prepare you for the challenges of the road and the driving test. A good driving instructor will use coaching techniques to teach pupils to be able to make decisions for themselves. To be able to cope with the ever-growing amount of traffic, road signs and street furniture. They will help them to know how to deal with road rage and aggressive drivers on the road. Something we all experience every day now.
b) Regular Practice: Practice driving regularly with a licenced and experienced driver. Spend ample time behind the wheel to build confidence and familiarity with various driving scenarios and road conditions. The more you practise, the more comfortable and prepared you’ll feel during your test. Speak with your driving instructor and find out what they feel should be best practiced between lessons. Between you and I, you can save a fortune on driving lessons this way. To optimise your home learning, check out our Lesson Planner – Learn From Home Edition
c) Study the Highway Code: Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code, understanding traffic rules and regulations that you’ll encounter during the theory and practical tests. The knowledge of the Highway Code is essential for driving safely and passing the theory test. This is knowledge, you will carry with you through to your practical driving test and may even be useful for your ‘Show me, Tell me’ part of the driving test.
Money Saving Tip: A great way to save money is to purchase one of the professional lesson planners designed to help parents teach the proper rules. I produced one of the only parent planners written alongside the DVSA own syllabus and learning to drive competencies. Even if you have a friend who has had their licence for over 3 years, is over 21 and has their own car you can get learner insurance then this would be a great tool to use!
👇Click the Image below for more info👇
d) Mock Tests: Engage in mock driving tests to simulate real test conditions. Mock tests help identify areas that need improvement and boost test-taking confidence. Practicing under test-like conditions prepares you for the actual test experience. The DVSA recently encouraged more professional driving instructors to carry out mock tests, listing 13 facts about mock tests. These are a great way to access a pupils treu readiness for a test.
e) Hazard Perception Training: Practice hazard perception tests online to improve your ability to identify potential hazards on the road and respond appropriately. The hazard perception test is an essential component of the theory test, it also teaches you to look out for potential hazards when driving and can enhance your driving skills as you become better at planning ahead for any potential hazards. With 1st 4 Driving, we offer free theory training which includes hazard perception training.
f) Reflective Practice: Maintain a reflective log of your journey, documenting your experiences, mistakes and how you addressed them. Recording your progress and reflecting on your experiences can help you identify areas for growth.
What to Take Away 🚶♀️
The DVSA backlog has presented learners with unexpected challenges, but taking your driving test prematurely is not the solution. Rushing into the test without proper preparation can lead to a host of issues, including lack of confidence, increased risk of accidents, time and money wastage and extended waiting time.
Instead, focus on diligent practice, professional instruction, and continuous learning. The driving test is a significant milestone in your journey to become a skilled and responsible driver. Embrace the learning process, reflect on your experiences, and build your confidence to face the test with readiness. With the right mindset and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to obtaining your drivers licence and enjoying the freedom and responsibility that comes with it.
Navigating the DVSA backlog and preparing thoughtfully for the driving test will not only increase your chances of passing but also set a strong foundation for a safe and competent driving future. By embracing patience, preparation and perseverance, you can overcome the challenges and confidently embark on the road to becoming a skilled and responsible driver. Remember, driving is a lifelong skill, and investing time in proper training will benefit you for yours to come.
Dave Foster MA, Dip.DI (or Driving School Dave) is the most qualified driving school owner in the country, after completing his Master’s Degree in Driver Training Education in 2011 at Middlesex University. He also holds a diploma in Driving Instruction and is a Cert Ed. qualified teacher. Dave is the founder and Managing Director of 1st 4 Driving Ltd, and also looks after over 15 driving schools across the country on a consultancy basis.
Honestly, looking for a driving instructor is a minefield. It’s really not easy.
And that’s not through a lack of finding them. They’re in local ads, on Google – and even on social media platforms. Driving instructors are literally everywhere. But just how can you tell if they’re any good?
Dave Foster MA, Dip.DI (or Driving School Dave) is the most qualified driving school owner in the country, after completing his Master’s Degree in Driver Training Education in 2011 at Middlesex University. He also holds a diploma in Driving Instruction and is a Cert Ed. qualified teacher. Dave is the founder and Managing Director of 1st 4 Driving Ltd, and also looks after over 15 driving schools across the country on a consultancy basis.
Dave Foster MA, Dip.DI (or Driving School Dave) is the most qualified driving school owner in the country, after completing his Master’s Degree in Driver Training Education in 2011 at Middlesex University. He also holds a diploma in Driving Instruction and is a Cert Ed. qualified teacher. Dave is the founder and Managing Director of 1st 4 Driving Ltd, and also looks after over 15 driving schools across the country on a consultancy basis.
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