Happy New Year to all!

Another year is now ahead of us with some great oppurtunities for both students and driving instructors.

We have a wonderful offer of 3 hours of lessons at only £30.00 also many other offers and deals for our students.

Do not forget that anyone who recommends a new student to our school will receive £20.00 for each student once they have completed 6hrs of driving tuition.

All you need to do is contact the office  with the students name,recommendee`s details and leave the rest to us!

There is no limit or catches to this offer so go on get yourself some easy,free money

Anybody out there with a full driving licence thinking of a career as a driving instructor can contact us as this is a rewarding and great job that you will enjoy and make a career of for life.

Contact us to discuss options as we have some mindblowing offers on instructor training this year...

We can be contacted on 0800 781 7234 or 0333 200 7199 so give us a call and have a chat with us,we are friendly

there has been lots of speculation recently about a "new" theory test evolving in january.

the latest information we have received is that there will only be a change to the multiple choice module of the test.

New questions will be introduced to the multiple choice module ,but unlike in the past, the answers will not be available to the candidate.

The reason for this is to ensure the students have a better understanding of the driving theory so that the student is not just memorising the questions and answers in the test..

Heya my name is Sarah 

 On the 3rd May 2011 I passed my driving test with 5star. My instructor was Jason and he was really helpfull. However it wasnt always like that. I found Jason through a friend at my college after my previous instructor bailed on me  
Jason was recommened as he was helpfull and actually listened to me when I need help.

I was so nervous for my first lesson, but at $14.99 for the first two hour session, I thought I would give it a try. Jason came and collected me from my home and drove me round the corner. He then sat with me and listened to me about my experience at driving. He could tell I was really nervous, but he made me feel comfortable. I explained to him that my previous instructor used to shout at me alot, which had caused me to become scared of driving.

To cut a long story short, from that moment on Jason taught me to be confident at the wheel. It was patient with me throughout, and we even had a laugh whilst doing so.

I would recommend (and I have done) to everyone and anyone. All of my friends are now learning with them and I can honestly say that you won't find a better place to learn.

Hi, I’m Tony and I’m a driving instructor working for 5 Star …

I approached 5 Star Driving Academy when I passed my Part 2 test, as I was looking for a sponsor while I started working on a trainee licence. I contacted several driving schools and most sent out information packs. However, Steve was the only person who actually invited me in to the office, to chat and see if what 5 Star offered was what I was looking for. As I work for them now it clearly was and I started with 5 Star after obtaining my trainee licence.

My Part 2 training had been completed with Red (The Instructor College), as I wasn’t really aware I could have done this with smaller companies. That’s probably down to heavy advertising by the larger organisations. 

When I started on my trainee licence I thought I had been taught all the skills necessary, and within a couple of months I’d had two test passes, so my confidence seemed quite high. I contacted Red to book my 20 hours training, and that’s when the problems started. I was told that they hadn’t any spaces available and I should contact my sponsor for this training. As the clock was ticking I rang the office and spoke with Steve. Thankfully he took me under his wing and said that he would provide this training. We sat down and set up and action plan and I felt things were now going in the right direction.

This training was based around me passing my Part 3 test, although Steve never referred to this as a test, it was just a lesson with another pupil. I found out pretty quickly that the skills I had been taught were way below the standard required to pass Part 3 … my briefings were lengthy, my knowledge was lacking and my confidence shot.

We then took a new approach and Steve showed me how to be an instructor. He showed me how briefings should be done, gave me books to read, CD’s to listen to. It was a big shock to see how far behind I was and there were times when I thought I wasn’t going to make it.

I took my first Part 3 test … sorry lesson, and failed getting a 3 and a 4 … although disappointed, I was expecting something nearer a 2 and a 2, so took the positives from this and ploughed on with my training and spent a few more hours with Steve.

After a couple of months I re-booked my Part 3. Steve came with me again, and its odd but I felt so much more confident this time. I did as he’d always told me, and took control of the test from the first minute. I passed it this time with a 4 and a 4 … the score didn’t matter. I’d passed and that’s what this was all about, and yes I did enjoy it!

I look back now and I’m relieved that when I contacted Red they were not able to fit me in for my training … what seemed like the end of the world at the time was actually a blessing. The support I had then still exists, as if I have any queries Steve or Russ are always ready offer advice.

If I could recommend anyone to  do this I’d say do all your training with 5 Star … its hard, but well worth the effort when you get told you’ve made it. 

That's right !

The driving test is changing as of 4th October to now include "independent driving"

For upto 10 minutes you will be asked to drive by either

- following road signs to a destination

- follow a series of verbal directions (a diagram will also be used)

- follow a combination of both the above

The priority is to be a safe driver at all times even if you go off route. You wont fail your test if you do go off route, however you will fail your test if you make a serious or dangerous driving fault from being an unsafe driver.

The driving test has been changed to now include the above as when you have passed your test you will be driving independantly by following road signs or maybe even verbal directions from a sat nav for example

To watch a video clip explaining the independent driving section of your driving test then CLICK HERE

If you arent happy with the preparation your current driving instructor is giving you then contact us

As a learner driver you will have one goal when taking driving lessons and that is to pass your driving test and become a full licence holder allowing you the freedom to drive unsupervised.

The driving test will last for approximately 45 minutes and the examiner will expect you to drive to a safe standard on a variety of roads and also to carry out a range of manoeuvres one of these being a turn in the road. The examiner will then choose another manoeuvre for you to carry out, it maybe a reverse round the corner, a bay park or a parallel park. You may also be required to perform an emergency stop aswell.

By learning with a DSA licenced driving instructor such as those with 5 Star Driving Academy you will significantly increase your chances of passing the driving test as we know how to teach and coach you upto the required standard in as little time as possible. Infact we sometimes even manage to go that extra mile and have students pass their driving test not only first time but with NO DRIVING FAULTS at all!.

Everyone starts their driving test with a clean score sheet so in theory everyone starts their driving test already passed. Its only by making driving faults throughout the drive do you start moving towards a fail. If you make the same driving fault continually then it becomes a serious or dangerous fault which means you have failed your test. Your driving instructor will explain how the scoring system works in more detail before you take your test

In the past 2 months we have had 2 students pass their test with ZERO Faults which is a fantastic result for both the driving instructor and student. This just goes to show that with hard work and commitment to your driving lessons then the driving test should infact not be a testing drive but more an enjoyable and chance for you to demonstrate your driving skill to the examiner.

We would like to send out a big congratulations to Jay James and Rickie Bowdler who both passed with ZERO faults

Their instructors who both give driving lessons in wolverhampton are looking forward to their next student to pass with zero faults.

If you would like to be the next student to possbily pass with zero faults then contact 5star driving academy. Your 1st 2hr lesson is only £14.99

Regards,

5 Star Driving Academy

For those of you going through your driving instructor training you may well here the phrase "Part 3 Rescue Training" mentioned. This usually relates to when a trainee has failed 2 attempts at their final exam and realises that they need extra help or another trainers opinion on their current skill level to pass their final attempt.

Part 3 is all about the core competencies which are fault indentification, fault analysis and remedial action as its these that will decide your grade and if you pass or fail (you need to score a minimum grade 4 in both phase 1 and phase 2 of your part 3 exam). It's only when you learn from an experienced driving school and training provider such as 5 Star Driving Academy that you will gain the necessary skills to pass your part 3 exam.

Recently we had a PDI approach us from another driving school who had already failed his part 3 twice already. He realised he needed more coaching on his "core comps" before going for his final attempt at his part 3 and wasnt getting the necessary support and training from the school he had chosen to go with for his training. After an additional training from our grade 6 trainer he finally passed his part 3 exam and became an A.D.I (Approved Driving Instructor). Everyone at 5 Star Driving Academy would like to congratulate Terence Darcy on successfully passing this exam

Remember this... if you keep doing what youve always done, you will keep achieving what you've always achieved. If you have failed your part 3 already then you may need to get some new training possibly with a different provider otherwise you may not be succesful at your next attempt.

If you are going through your part 3 training and feel that you arent improving , or have failed your part 3 and need to gain the correct skills to pass then contact us and we can assess your current skill level and then provide you with the support and training you need.

Regards,

5 Star Driving Academy

!Jacob Hoy passed his driving test with flying colours!

Passing with only 5 faults, jacob is the first student to pass his test who attended the 5 Star Driving Academy "i Drive" program The students that have attended the course have found it very informative and enjoyable to do.

The objective of the i drive program is to give young people an advantage when learning to drive enabling them to have a better chance of passing both the theory and practical test first time.

Once again Jacob has proved that this pre driver education system works and saves the student excess costs associated with additional tests.

You would like more information regarding the i drive program then dont hesitate to contact our highly experienced team at 5 Star Driving Academy (make conact)

If you have something you want to say or would like us to blog, then please contact us

We've all seen the adverts on tv by a certain large national training company promising that anyone can become a driving instructor and earn upto £30k a year with a company car. So is this really the case? Can anyone become a driving instructor and can you really earn £30K a year by working the hours you use?

Well, unfortunately not. Being a driving instructor is a very rewarding job but the hours can be unsociable working evenings and weekends which isnt for everyone. Be wary of anyone promising a company car as the majority of instructors (if not all) are self employed so the car you either have to buy or lease (both of which incur a cost to you) 

As for the  instructor training, this is a 3 stage program and how long it takes you to complete varies from person to person. You will see some training organisations claiming that you can be an instructor within 12weeks, and whilst this maybe possible in extreme cases it is not the norm. Realistically you can expect your training to take atleast 6-9months minimum and most cases even longer than that. There is an option to teach on a trainee licence but this is for you to gain experience before taking your final instructor exam.

You also need to look at who's going to be training you. Is it a training organisation who have salesmen on commission to sell training packages to as many people as possible even if they are not suitable or have the potential skills to train as a driving instructor.

This blog isnt meant to answer all your questions on training to be a driving instructor, just to make you think a bit more about the questions you should be asking and the answers you get.

If you would like to find out more then we will be happy to advise you further.

Regards

Russell 

An important change has been made to the practical driving test by the DSA which comes into force from April 6th 2010. Before taking you out on test the examiner will ask you if you would like an observer to sit in on your test. Now there are many benefits to having your instructor sit in on your test. We all know that you are going to be a little nervous on your driving test so not everyone will want another person in the car watching them driving. Having your instructor observe your test though will provide you with an extra pair of ears at the end of the test to hear your feedback off the examiner and then go through it with you later.

Your instructor should also help you prepare for your driving test nerves by carrying out mock tests with you in your lessons so you know exactly what to expect on the big day. If your current instructor doesn't then you ask 5 Star Driving Academy to assess if you are test ready?.

Now we have noticed that some driving schools are charging the student extra for having the instructor sit in and observe the test. However, we dont agree with this and 5 Star Driving Academy wont charge any extra for having their instructor observe your test and provide additional feedback afterwards.

Good luck to anyone taking thier practical driving test soon. If you have any worries or questions about your driving test then just ask 5 Star!

Regards

Russell