Booking Lessons We operate on a first come, first served basis for all lessons, for both new and existing clients. Lessons are scheduled and booked directly by you through our app on your phone. Booking in advance greatly increases your chances of securing a lesson at your preferred time. If you would like to have a weekly lesson, we can reserve a recurring slot for you. Most of our clients choose to pay either weekly or at the end of the month, depending on their individual needs, schedule, and budget. If you are flexible with your days and times, you may be able to pick up a lesson on a weekly basis, but this cannot be guaranteed, as some weeks are busier than others. Learners who have a fixed day and time usually book their slots weeks in advance, so we strongly advise you to do the same if you want consistency. Otherwise, there may be gaps of weeks or even months between lessons. Lesson Times Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Areas Covered • Weston-super-Mare • Kewstoke • Bleadon • Hutton • Locking • Uphill • Worle • St Georges • West Wick • Wick St Lawrence If you live outside these areas but are willing to travel, lessons are still available.

1️⃣ You’re not paying for “a drive” You’re paying for: • A fully qualified, government-approved instructor • Structured coaching and lesson planning • Risk management in a 1.5-ton metal moving box • Real-time assessment and intervention This isn’t someone sitting quietly while you steer. This is active coaching, every minute. 2️⃣ The running costs are huge Behind every lesson there’s: • Specialist dual-controlled vehicle • Commercial insurance (very not cheap) • Fuel • Servicing, tyres, brakes (frequently replaced) • Vehicle finance or depreciation • Ongoing training and CPD • Software systems (booking apps, lesson records) • Tax and National Insurance Instructors don’t take home £40 an hour. Not even close. 3️⃣ You’re paying for efficiency Good instruction often means: • Fewer wasted lessons • Better preparation • Higher chance of passing first time • Lower long-term cost overall Cheap lessons that drag on for 50+ hours? That’s where it actually gets expensive. 4️⃣ This is a life skill Driving gives you: • Independence • Job opportunities • Freedom • Safety for you and others It’s one of the most important qualifications you’ll ever gain. It shouldn’t be priced like a haircut. 5️⃣ Professional instructors deserve professional pay Driving instructors: • Work evenings and weekends • Manage anxious learners • Take on legal responsibility every lesson • Constantly make safety-critical decisions It’s skilled, mentally demanding work. Skilled work deserves fair pay.

Please visit our Pricing page (www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/prices)fo(www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/prices)r our rates or contact us (www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/#contact)directly for more information. If you use the Total Drive booking platform, a small admin fee is charged to support their system. This fee gives you the convenience of booking lessons anytime, and it’s no more than what you’d pay for a concert ticket or a takeaway delivery. Of course, this is optional — we also accept bank transfers and cash payments.

At present, we are only able to offer Manual Driving Lessons. However, it’s worth noting that the way people choose to take their driving tests is changing: in the UK around one in four driving tests were taken in automatic cars last year (about 26 %), and that share has been rising year‑on‑year. Trends suggest this could reach around one‑third of tests in the next couple of years as more learners opt for automatic vehicles, especially electric cars which are all automatic. If you’re unsure whether to learn in a manual or automatic vehicle, it’s good to think about your long‑term driving goals and the kinds of vehicles you expect to be driving in the future

We do not offer Pass Plus as a separate package. We like to keep pricing simple, so you only pay for what you actually need. For context, Pass Plus was introduced in 1995 by the DVSA to help new drivers enhance their road skills and confidence after passing their test. Insurance companies sometimes offer premium discounts for completing it. The skills taught — including motorways, rural driving, night driving, all-weather, and town driving — are now largely covered in standard driving lessons. Skill vs. Savings: The real benefit for many learners is the increased confidence and practical experience, rather than the insurance discount, as many providers now use black boxes to calculate premiums. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you want to gain from additional training. We recommend doing some research and speaking with your insurance provider before deciding.

Areas Covered • Weston-super-Mare • Kewstoke • Bleadon • Hutton • Locking • Uphill • Worle • St Georges • West Wick • Wick St Lawrence If you live outside these areas but are willing to travel, lessons are still available.

Booking Lessons with Total Drive We use a third-party company called Total Drive and their booking app. They are an award-winning software company specialising in learner drivers. Website: totaldrive.co.uk(https://www.totaldrive.co.uk/) Total Drive is designed for both instructors and driving schools, offering an all-in-one solution for lesson management, available on Android and iOS. Key Features of Total Drive: • View your booked lesson dates and times • Flexible booking up to 4 weeks in advance • Payment and credit history tracking • In-app messaging centre • Option to book lessons in available gaps • Theory and practical test date log • Video learning resources • Lesson and payment reminders • GDPR compliant • Follows the DVSA Driving Syllabus Program A small transaction fee applies when using Total Drive, similar to buying a concert ticket or ordering food. If you prefer to avoid this fee, bank transfers are available, but only for those with a fixed weekly lesson slot.

We can happily offer a 2-hour assessment drive to evaluate your current driving level and provide personalised recommendations. Please contact us (www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/#contact)t(www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/#contact)o discuss your requirements and check availability.

Driving Instructor Qualifications All DVSA-approved instructors are required to display a badge in their windscreen to show they are qualified to teach learner drivers. • ADI (Approved Driving Instructor): • Green octagonal badge in the windscreen • Fully qualified, DBS-checked, and listed on the ADI register • More experience and knowledge, making them a reliable choice • PDI (Potential Driving Instructor): • Pink triangular badge in the windscreen • Trainee licence, valid for 6 months only • Instructor is still training and must pass all tests within 6 months to continue teaching • Some larger schools may use PDIs to offer cheaper lessons, but they may not have the same experience or reliability as ADIs You can check whether a driving instructor is fully qualified by entering your postcode here: Find a driving instructor – GOV.UK(https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-lessons-instructors)

Intensive Courses are available, but depend on the indidual and their situation. They are also limited to the availablity at the time. The learner driver is required to have their own test booked. Please contact us t(www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/enquiry)o see if they are currently available.

We do offer Block Bookings at certain times, please check our pricing page or contact us for more details.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), most learners require an average of 45 hours of professional lessons and 22 hours of private practice to pass their driving test. While there is no minimum requirement, 40–50 hours of instruction is generally recommended to build the necessary confidence and safety skills. Key Facts on Lessons to Pass: • Average Time: Roughly 40-45 hours of lessons. • Total Practice: Including private practice, many learners require about 60-70 hours of total driving time. • Fast Learners: Some individuals may pass in as little as 20–30 hours. • Variable Factors: The number of lessons depends on individual learning speed, instructor quality, and the frequency of practice. • Private Practice: While not mandatory, private practice significantly improves the chances of passing. It is important to focus on being a safe and confident driver rather than just passing a test. Our Driving Lessons in Weston-super-Mare are built around the DVSA syllabus, we ensure that you've all the skills necessary to be a safe driver so your test will be a breeze. Everyone is also different, with different skills and experiences. Some people require less time, some more. If you like some more information or would like to book lessons click here to contact us.(www.thedrivingcompany.co.uk/enquiry)