Answer:  After booking the first driving lesson it's only after putting the phone down that the nerves start to set in.  This is completely normal and its mostly due to the fact that people just don't know what to expect.  All lessons are taken at the pupils pace, and at the beginning of the first lesson (depending on where a pupil lives) I normally drive to a quieter location where the actual driving can begin.  Along the way to the start location I will begin to explain some more information about the controls etc and try to ease the nerves a little!  During the first few lessons a learner will be taught the basics of car control on quiet side roads.

Answer:  There is no need to have passed your theory before you start lessons.  In-fact unless you are planning on booking an intensive training course (please see intensive course question) it is worth while waiting until you have started driving lessons before worrying about the theory.  I can help and advise you as little or as much as you need with the theory test training, all inclusive of the lesson fee.  I have several Hazard perception DVD discs that you can lend and theory test papers you can practice with.  When you are reaching high scores on the test papers you should be ready to take you theory test.

Answer: Intensive driving courses are becoming more and more popular and enable someone who has time constraints to pass the test sooner, or by a set deadline.  I want to make it clear that although Prodigy Driving School can prepare and plan a course for a pupil to pass by a certain deadline e.g. a student may need to learn before commencing university, Prodigy does not offer 1 week crash courses!  Prodigy believe that although a pupil may manage to pass their test in this time, they do not have the experience and hours on the road needed to help make them safe drivers.  For example if a pupil were to do a crash course in a fine week in Summer and pass they may have never even driven in rain let alone considered how to deal with snow, fog and ice!  Please think very carefully before selecting which course type you need, after all Prodigy offers evening and weekend lessons so can fit around your commitments without the need to rush.

Answer: This is the million dollar question!  I like to rephrase it to how long until I am a safe driver?! This depends on how many lessons you have a week,  for example according to the DSA it take an average person approximately 1.5 hours for each year of their life so if your 17 years old it could take you between 25/30 hours. Of course everyone is different and will get there in there own time, some will take to it straight away and others may take longer to adapt.

Answer:  I am trained to assess your level and standard of driving constantly, this is mainly done through watching you drive but before we start I will need to ask a few questions so I can assess the level of ability already.  You shouldn't expect it to be like day one again!  However you don't have to treat it like a test and try and impress me with your driving, I am just trying to establish what you already know so we don't cover any unnecessary topics again.

Answer: I am a Fully Qualified A.D.I (Approved Driving Instructor) this means that the Driving Standards Agency have tested my ability to teach and placed me on the register.  I therefore hold a green badge which is kept in my car.  Some instructors are allowed to complete the final part of their training whilst working as an instructor.  This does however mean that if they fail to qualify you may have to find another instructor, the best way to check is the badge, instead of being Green it is pink.