Driver Training

Driver Training

I offer manual driving lessons only

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Driving lessons 

I offer manual driving lessons only in Stevenage.


My pass rate is 52% above the local test centre average!


I offer you: 

  • Free online revision for the theory test
  • Free online revision for the hazard perception test
  • Free pick up point from home, school, college or from work. (Stevenage only)
  • Client Centred Learning (CCL)
  • Free lesson plans and feedback on progress via email
  • Reliable driving coach (instructor)
  • Complete transparency on learner’s progress
  • Free booking service for your practical driving test
  • Free email about the practical driving test
  • No surcharges for your driving test
  • My treat. The option to have a tea break before your test; this is very popular!
  • Personal development programme tailored to you

Before you start driving lessons, please be aware of the following:

Learning to drive is one of the most exciting and responsible challenges you could ever take on as a life skill, but before you start please ensure that you are aware of the following: 

  • You must have a provisional driving licence. You can apply for a provisional driving licence three months before your 17th birthday, but you can't start driving a car until you are 17 years old.
  • You must comply with government guidelines.
  • You must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away (you can wear glasses or contact lenses). 
  • You must have an “L” plate on the front and back of any vehicle you drive. My car complies with this rule.
  • When driving you must be accompanied by a qualified driver such as a qualified driving instructor or a family member or friend who is over 21, and has held a full driving licence for at least three years. 

The rules are changed regularly. Visit the Safe Driving for Life website to find out more.

Visit website

What will it cost? 

There are two elements to consider:

  • The hourly rate for a lesson
  • The number of lessons you need to pass



There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have, or hours you must practise driving. How many lessons you need will depend on how quickly you learn. The table below shows how much time the average pupil needs to pass with Hello! Driver Training compared to the national average: 

National average 47 hours
Hello Driver 30 hours
Saving 17 hours

Take the average cost for one hour's driving tuition as being £45, learning to drive in Stevenage with Hello! Driver Training could save you up to £765 compared to another school that matches the national average in terms of the hours required to pass their driving test. 

Prices

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Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm 

Block bookings only: £445 for 10 hours

Pass rate 

See the table below so you can assess Hello! Driver Training's pass rate: 

Driver faults 

National average 6.41%
Hello Driver 5.43%

Serious faults 

National average 0.92%
Hello Driver 0.62%

Dangerous faults 

National average 0.09%
Hello Driver 0.00%

Pass rate 

National average 47.40%
Hello Driver 66.67%

Hello! Driver Training's candidates pass rate is 52% above the local test centre average. 

Why is Hello Driver's pass rate so high? 

I adapt my coaching to accommodate you using Client Centred Learning (CCL). This has transformed the rate at which my pupils learn to drive. I give you the opportunity to choose what you want to learn. This way you learn what you want to learn because you know when you’re ready.


If you require additional support, I can provide you with a coaching programme. This is brilliant and life changing for confidence, anxiety, nervousness; the list is endless.


You will need to be independent on all the subjects listed on the syllabus in order to pass the DVSA driving test. 

Tips to help you save money

  • READ TIPS

    • Pay for your lessons in advance, normally in blocks of ten hours at a time, this can save you £100s. 
    • Book your theory test as soon as you can. 
    • Be on time for your driving lessons, if you’re late you will be paying your instructor for sitting outside waiting for you. 
    • Inform your instructor as soon as you can if you can’t keep an appointment. The instructor might be able to move it and not charge you. 
    • Get up early for your lessons and be ready at least an hour before it starts. Having a woolly head will make your learning hard work and unenjoyable. 
    • Start off with two hour lessons until you can drive off from home and back. This will save you about 20 minutes of lost driving time on every lesson. 
    • Consider a 5 or 10 minute recap of the last lesson to make sure you are happy with what you have learnt so far. 
    • If you are doing Client Centred Learning make sure you know what you want to learn next. Make sure it is realistic but challenging for you. 
    • When you have passed your theory test, start to learn the 'Show me, Tell me' questions and car controls demonstrations on the move that you will be asked on the driving test.
    • Book your driving test immediately after you have completed the theory test. Make sure you do this with your instructor so you are both happy with the date and time.
    • Only take the driving test if you feel you are ready. Be honest with yourself. You can put the test back if you feel the need to. You might be able to exchange your test with another pupil that your instructor has on their books. 
    • COVID-19 has caused tremendous delays for driving tests, so work with your instructor when booking your driving test. 

Getting you ready for your theory and practical tests

Here are the ways I will help you prepare for your test:

  • PREPARATION FOR THEORY TEST AND HAZARD TEST

    I subscribe to the Theory Test Pro website and offer this service free of charge to all my pupils. Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation of the UK's driving theory tests. It contains all the official revision test questions licensed from the DVSA, the people who set the tests. I also offer 1-2-1 support to pupils that need additional guidance at the standard driving lesson rate. 


    You can start your theory test revision before your 17th birthday and take your test on or after your 17th birthday. 

  • PREPARATION FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST

    As soon as the test candidate has passed their theory test, I offer the following: 

    • Email them the 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions. 
    • Work with the pupil to book their driving test so nothing clashes with my diary and your commitments. 
    • Confirm your lessons up to and including the driving test so you know your budget well in advance so you can plan your finances. 
    • Invite the learner to drive on the motorway before their driving test. 
    • Give the test candidate a clear explanation of the test procedure. This includes current COVID-19 compliance. 

    I offer to start the pre-test drive half an hour earlier so that the pupil can relax in a cafe with a cup of tea or coffee. Most pupils take up this offer. I don’t charge for this service. I go to the test centre and sit with the pupil until the examiner arrives. I also give the pupil the option of having me sit in the back of the car on their driving test. This is optional - I would never impose myself on a pupil; After all it’s their test. 


    Waiting in the test centre and accompanying pupils on their driving test has been suspended until further notice due to Covid-19. You will be updated of any changes near the test date. 


    I always drive pupils home from the test centre regardless of the result. 

  • PREPARATION FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST

    As soon as the test candidate has passed their theory test, I offer the following: 

    • Email them the 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions. 
    • Work with the pupil to book their driving test so nothing clashes with my diary and your commitments. 
    • Confirm your lessons up to and including the driving test so you know your budget well in advance so you can plan your finances. 
    • Invite the learner to drive on the motorway before their driving test. 
    • Give the test candidate a clear explanation of the test procedure.

    I offer to start the pre-test drive half an hour earlier so that the pupil can relax in a cafe with a cup of tea or coffee. Most pupils take up this offer. I don’t charge for this service. I go to the test centre and sit with the pupil until the examiner arrives. I also give the pupil the option of having me sit in the back of the car on their driving test. This is optional - I would never impose myself on a pupil; After all it’s their test. 


    I always drive pupils home from the test centre regardless of the result. 


    Driving instructors are now legally entitled to take learners on a motorway provided they have dual control in the vehicle. Parents and friends cannot do this, only qualified ADI’s.  

Additional tools to help you 

I use a range of learning tools and resources to help you during your lessons:

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Apps

I use a range of iPad apps for virtually the whole syllabus. This is very good as each manoeuvre can be broken down into sections and discussed in detail if required. They are also very engaging and interactive, which is great if you’re a visual learner.

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Coaching and NLP

Building your confidence is a vital part of learning to drive. As an option, to help you I provide free of charge to all my pupils ‘The 3 Principles Coaching’ and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). These help to keep you focused and calm for any challenge in your life, as well as learning to drive. I not only welcome nervous drivers - I can actually help you.

Testimonials 

  • Slide title

    I’m Carl Pendlebury, I’m a Radio Presenter on Hertbeat FM (now Bob FM) and I passed my driving test first time with John from Hello! Driver Training. When I first started at Hertbeat FM, I had no driving licence, which was a massive disadvantage for the job. 


    Hertbeat FM put me in contact with John, on the condition that all the lessons would be recorded to be played out on air, just to add to the pressure. My stand-out memories include the Luton experience, which involves driving undirected to Luton and back. To anyone learning to drive, I thoroughly recommend this as it really gets you to apply everything you’ve learnt so far. 


    Also, I’m fairly sure I will hold the record for getting lost on the way back for many years to come. Further optional experiences that John offers include driving into London, which I would strongly encourage anyone who is learning to take up. Driving in London is completely different to anything you will ever have to do as a driver, so it is a sensible and worthwhile decision to undertake this journey for the first time under the supervision of John. 


    The key reason for me passing first time is down to John’s excellent method of teaching. All the manoeuvres and observational points are cleverly broken down and easy to remember and John’s calm and reassuring manner mean that your confidence is built up and maintained increasing your likelihood of passing first time. 


    Carl

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  • Slide title

    I was previously with a different instructor before John. I didn’t feel comfortable in the way that I was being taught and found it hard to communicate with my instructor. John was completely the opposite. He was easy to talk to, tolerant and understanding towards me. The Luton experience was one of the lessons that I would never forget, along with driving down country lanes in complete darkness! The free NLP also helped to boost my confidence from failing my test from my previous instructor. Not only that, I have applied the experience learnt from NLP to everyday life and feel like a more confident and successful person in general. I have no hesitation in recommending John as a quality driving instructor. Thank you John for getting me through my test. 


    Kind Regards, 

    Kim 

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    I was recommended to John by my friend Mel who has also passed using his expertise and I am so thankful to her for recommending him. John is an absolute star!! He has taught me everything that I know and I really couldn’t be more grateful. Due to his continuous perseverance with me, I managed to pass first time and I put that all down to John’s excellent teaching strategies. 


    He always makes sure you’re comfortable and happy and doesn’t make you do anything you don’t want to. There are key moments that I will never forget that I experienced with John which includes, the Luton experience that taught me so much giving me more confidence and experience on a variety of roads and placing me in everyday situations.

     

    Another memory I will keep forever that always placing a smile on my face is the song I created for John, “I Love My Driving Instructor”. There was never a dull moment with John and I couldn’t be more satisfied and appreciative for all the hard work and effort John supplied me. I would recommend John to anyone who is wishing to learn to drive the whole experience is unforgettable!! 


    Thank you ever so much John. 

    Chloe 

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  • Slide title

    Like many brave people before me, I gave John Billingham (as recommended by many) a call for some serious driving lessons. To begin with “Must check your mirrors… mirrors, mirrors, mirrors” would be John’s favourite phrase. However, gradually, lesson by lesson, I found myself excelling behind the wheel and occasionally checking my mirrors. John recommended that I booked my test ASAP, which gave us a goal to work towards during lessons. 


    Each lesson was a new and exciting experience on the road, none as unforgettable as the legendary “Luton Experience”. What happened during the events of the “Luton Experience” is still unknown, but somehow both car and an unnerved John made it back in one piece. John’s dedication and flexibility were key during the build up to my test; each lesson was challenging and a good laugh, which was bound to contain a bit of banter here and there. I would recommend any learners to take lessons with John.

     

    His teaching methods are second to none with his diverse out-of-the-box thinking makes him different to your average driving school. I would not have PASSED FIRST TIME without the guidance, confidence, and encouragement John has provided during our 10 (!) hours of lessons. So if you’re serious about driving, get on the dog and bone (phone) and give him a call! 


    Laurie Brown 

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  • Slide title

    John is an excellent instructor, I got recommended to him by my brother and since I have recommended him to 3 of my friends who have all passed, If your serious about driving give him a call. 


    Richard 

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    The Hello! Driving school program is about so much more than learning to drive. The teaching environment is fun, safe and encompasses a host of lessons about how to be a better driver. I was pleasantly surprised how complete the program really is, I have told all my friends and they’re all having a fantastic time, passing with fun and confidence! 


    Matt Dower

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Taxi assessments

I also offer taxi driver assessments. My pass rate is 90% for the taxi test! 

John Billingham

Professional Assessor

In June 2008 I completed the Driving Instructor Association’s (DIAmond) Accredited Taxi Trainer Course (DATT). I’m a NVQ A1 Assessor for Passengers and Transport Level 3. Since then my pass rate has always been above 90% for the Taxi Test.


With twelve years of professional training and coaching you know you will receive the best up-to-date information and training to pass your local authorities Taxi Assessment.


I monitor all assessments to ensure the driving routes are comparable to each other and they are relevant and realistic for the purpose of your assessment. Due to my dedication, I have completed all the necessary tests and assessments to become a taxi driver myself. My reason for doing this is so that I am fully aware of what you have to do to obtain your Hackney Carriage or Private Hire taxi licence.

john billingham

There are four types of assessment you can do:

  • The Standard Taxi Assessment
  • The Enhanced Assessment - this includes the Wheelchair Exercise
  • The Wheelchair Assessment Upgrade
  • The Extended Taxi Assessment

Taxi assessment training

The criteria to pass the taxi driving assessment requires a high standard of driving. When you book your training with me I will give you a detailed list of what is required of you to pass the assessment.


This will include Cabology, Highway Code and the Assessment Criteria. I will give you all the support you need to ensure you are confident with the knowledge and understanding of your assessment.


To get the most out of your training, I recommend that you have an initial two hour training session. This allows me to assess your driving and give you some tips on how to improve should the need arise. You will also need to learn the questions and have the assessment explained to you so you can be prepared. You can have as many training sessions as you like to reach the required standard.



If you wish you can use your own car for the training and the assessment.

stevenage driving lesson

Important things to be aware of:

  • Before you start your training or assessment please ensure the local authority you intend to work in does recognise Hello! Driver Training assessments
  • You will need to bring your photo card driving licence with you. If you have the old style driving licence please ensure to bring your passport as well

Testimonials 

  • Slide title

    I passed my learner driving test with John then 18 months later I asked him to help me with my Taxi Assessment. John was very good at pointing out some habits I had picked up since I got my full licence. The training was a bit different to what he had been teaching me in the past.


    The manoeuvres were slightly different and no parallel parking!!!!


    Everything about the taxi assessment was explained to me so I knew what to expect. It all fell in to place and I passed first time. 


    Imran

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Ready to get started?

Book a taxi driver assessment

Ready to get started?

Book a taxi driver assessment

Got any questions?

If you’d like to book driving lessons or taxi assessment, want to know more about my driving training, or have any other enquiries, please get in touch with me.