However before a teenager can start to undertake a course of driving lessons they must first attain a provisional driving license. Once attained, they are freely available to start taking out regular driving lessons. At this point you have a couple of options all depending on budget.

The first option is to undertake driving lessons with a local driving instructor, where on a regular basis, usually once or twice a week you will spend an hour’s tuition learning the basics of driving. This option is the most common as you are only committed to spending a small amount per lesson spreading the cost throughout the duration of the course. However due to the length of time required to take such a course this usually becomes the more expensive option overall.

The second option is to undertake an intensive driving course. The intensive driving course is a set course prepared over a matter of a few days where you will spend a few hours each day learning all the basics of driving. This option has a high pass rate and due to the intensive sessions enables you to remember the tuition a lot easier as it is provided all at once instead over a long period of time. The only difference against the first option is that you are required to pay an upfront fee for the entire course.

The driving course starts by instructing you on a number of aspects not just restricting you on how well you drive the car but also how well you’re observational techniques are and the knowledge of the highway rules and regulations. This makes it clear that driving cannot be learnt in a few hours instead you will have to put in some days to learn it thoroughly.

The driving courses are split in to two categories, which is the theory side of the test, learning the rules and regulations alongside the ability to control and drive the car. It is wise to take the driving theory test at the same point as you are learning to drive, as it will actually benefit you whilst you are driving on the roads.

There are many driving schools based throughout the UK which all offer their own techniques and driving tuition. However the time in which you learn to drive all depends on your own personality. Certain people may complete their course within a couple of days. Whereas others may require a few more days, either way your instructor will advise you accordingly.

Here is an overview of the courses you can expect to get from any excellent driving school:

Driving lessons for beginners

Three point turns, reverse parks and emergency stops – you’ll get to learn how to do all these and more when you first visit a driving school to learn how to drive.

The vast majority of lessons given by any driving instructor are to complete beginners. It’s then up to you to decide whether you want to take advantage of any other courses or services offered by the school.

Intensive driving courses

Not everyone has the time to fit weekly lessons into their schedule, and some people want to pass their test and get on the road as quickly as possible. To this end many driving schools offer an intensive course designed to enable you to learn how to drive and pass your test within a very short time – sometimes in as little as a week.

You will usually pay a flat fee for this kind of course, which will include the practical part of the driving test.

Take a mock test

The practical driving test can be nerve wracking for anyone to take, regardless of age or the number of lessons you’ve had. That’s why many schools now offer a mock test to give you a feel of what to expect on the day.

It is conducted exactly as the real test would be, enabling you to experience a dry run of the real thing. It can also alert you to any areas of your driving ability that you need to brush up on, with the help of your instructor.

Driving assessment

This runs along similar lines to a mock test. Instead of taking the form of a test, however, it’s an assessment of how good a driver you are, and whether you are ready to take your test.

Many people find this a good way to evaluate their skills, so they can better prepare for the test itself.

Pass Plus

Hard as it may be to remember, passing your driving test is only the first step on the road to developing your driving skills. These skills come with experience, and you can begin to nurture that experience by taking a Pass Plus course to become an even better driver.

This course is highly recommended for all new drivers, as it will help to build your confidence and abilities for long term benefit.

Motorway tuition

The driving test doesn’t take into account the skills necessary to be a good motorway driver. Therefore the first experience many people have of motorway driving is some time after passing their test, with no prior experience to prepare them for it.

This is why it’s worth taking a special course of lessons to learn the proper skills and knowledge needed to drive responsibly and safely at all times when on the motorway.

Advanced Motoring Course

This course not only makes you a better driver, it also makes you a safer driver. Lots of people find it difficult to judge the right speed for each situation they encounter, and an advanced driving course will help you learn how to gauge this properly.

It will also enable you to drive competently and safely – a skill we should all strive to have.

Refresher courses

These are ideal if you haven’t driven for a while, as they help to renew your confidence and refresh your memory of what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a car.

The instructor will be able to advise you on any areas which need brushing up on, while assisting you in becoming a better and more confident driver. It’s also an excellent way to get used to driving longer distances in more traffic, if you are only used to driving near home.

So you can see, whatever your needs are as a driver, you are sure to be able to find a course to suit you. Whether you want to start learning, or develop the knowledge you already have, there are plenty of experienced and qualified driving instructors there to help every step of the way.

With so many to choose from nowadays, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s a case of sticking a pin in a telephone directory and hoping for the best. But in truth there are a number of things you can do to make sure you find a driving school – and an instructor – that sets a good price and offers an excellent service that will help you pass your driving test first time.

The first thing you should do is to ask your friends and family if they know any good driving schools locally that they or someone they know have used. A word of mouth recommendation is always a good way to find the right driving school, as you can get an idea of what the instructors are like before signing up for lessons.

You should of course make sure all the instructors are fully trained and qualified, as this indicates that not only do they understand and implement the skills needed to be a good driver, they will also know how to pass these on to their learner drivers. Don’t be afraid to ask if this is the case; all good and reputable schools should be more than happy to put your mind at rest.

You also need to consider how you want to learn. If you want to take the route that most people take – having lessons every week over a longer period of time – then most driving schools will provide this level of learning. However if time is short and you want or need to learn more quickly, you will need to find a school which offers intensive driving courses to take part in. These are often one week in duration – but again, try and get a recommendation from someone else before choosing this option.

Another way to find your local schools is to search online. Many good driving schools now have a web presence, and you can usually email with any questions you may have before deciding which school to choose. Checking out their website also allows you to find out how much they charge for lessons and whether they have any special offers, such as a block of ten lessons at a reduced price, which can help you to save money on the cost of learning.

Perhaps the most important aspect is to make sure you get along with the instructor you are going to be learning with. If possible try and meet them before you pay for any lessons. You need to be comfortable with them and happy that they are teaching you in the best way possible.

If you take all these factors into consideration, you’ll soon be out on the road and learning a skill that will stay with you for a lifetime.