Driving lessons in Henley-on-Thames, Windlesham, Lightwater and West End.

Everybody is nervous before their first driving lesson, don't worry - it's completely normal! We've set out the basic steps here so you know what to expect, and we're happy to answer any questions on the day. The most important thing for you to remember is that we also have control of the car, so you're in a safe vehicle and safe hands. 

• Pick up - we'll come and get you. This can be from your school, college, home or work - we'll come to wherever is easiest for you.

• Starting off - once we've picked you up, we'll drive you to somewhere quiet (usually an estate or residential area) where it's safer and easier for you to start driving.

• The switch - at this point, we'll switch places so you are in the driver's seat. Before we go anywhere, we'll make sure you know how to adjust your seat so you're in a safe and comfortable position for driving. We'll also show you how to change the rear-view and wing mirrors so you can see properly, and show you the essential features of the car such as the indicators, lights and windscreen wipers. We'll talk you through the pedals, what they do, how they operate alongside each other and then go through how the gears work. All of this is done before we get moving, so you're really confident before you start. This is a good time to ask any questions, or tell us what you're particularly nervous about. We're here to help.

• Driving  - you'll be ready to move off now, and we'll help you to do this slowly and carefully, allowing there to be the least amount of stress possible. All of our instructors are calm and unflappable, so you know you're always safe. You won't have to do anything complicated, like driving on busy roads or managing roundabouts and difficult junctions, and we won't ask you to do any tricky manoeuvres either. To begin with it's all simple driving; allowing you to see how the car works, become familiar with the changing of gears, accelerating, braking and how to come to a safe stop at the kerbside.

• Drop-off  -  at the end of your lesson, you'll most likely switch places with your instructor again and head to your drop-off point. This could be back to where you started or somewhere different, depending on what you've agreed with your instructor. 

That's it! It's straight forward and not nearly as scary as you might think it will be. We're looking forward to seeing you for your first lesson!

The highway code

You'll be tested on the highway code in your theory test, which you must pass before you can take the practical. We can help you prepare for your theory test as part of your driving lesson, and we've put links here to the full highway code so you can do some practice on your theory test and have a dry run before the real thing.

Practice test preparation

When we think you're ready, and you've passed your theory test with flying colours, we'll suggest you book a practical test. You'll need to do this online, and you'll need your driving licence number and a credit or debit card handy to make and complete the booking.

Once you have your test date, we'll make sure that you are as prepared and relaxed as possible. We'll drive many variations of the potential test route you'll be taken on and do some mock tests to give you a good idea of what will happen, as well as what standards you'll need to achieve. We'll also look at some of the non-driving things you'll be asked about, such as what goes on under the bonnet and essential controls inside the car.

If you're planning on taking the test in your own car, we'll make sure that that's the car we use for the lessons in the run-up to your test. That way, you'll be feeling really confident on the day.