Lessons

When you are looking to book driving lessons in the South & South East regions including the Isle of Wight from one of the region’s leading driving schools, we recommend that you consider the expert tuition available from Excel Driving Academy. We aim to make learning to drive as enjoyable as possible, and with this in mind we have designed our driving lessons to be fun yet rewarding so that you enjoy the experience of gaining your licence. Enjoying yourself is the best way to learn, and our experienced instructors will help to ensure that you feel at ease behind the wheel.

Lessons From The Local Experts

The price of your driving lessons in Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Guildford & Brighton will include the use of our fully maintained, serviced and fuelled up car which is always ready to go for the next lesson. You will also be covered by a comprehensive insurance policy whilst driving. Meanwhile, the fact that we only use Approved Driving Instructors, or ADI, means that you can feel confident that you are learning to drive with the local experts. If you want to pass your test with flying colours and become a confident, safe and capable driver, Excel Driving Academy can provide the driving lessons that you need to succeed.

Our prices are very competitive within each of our regions. We offer discounts in addition to incentives schemes for current pupils. We understand that learning to drive is an expensive business, which is why we keep our lesson prices as competitive as possible to save you money. For driving tuition which offers exceptional value for money to those looking to learn to drive in Southampton or Portsmouth, come to Excel Driving Academy first.

How to Apply

Before learning to drive, you need to apply for your provisional UK driving licence, either online at www.gov.uk or by post using a D1 form which you can get at the Post Office. Your postal application will need to include original documentation confirming your identity, and will cost £50.00. Your licence should arrive within 3 weeks. When you are ready for your theory or practical driving tests, these can also be booked online via www.gov.uk.

The Theory Test Explained

The DSA Theory Test consists of two parts, a multiple choice section and the hazard perception test. Both parts of the test must be completed successfully to achieve a pass.

Multiple Choice

50 questions, of which you need to correctly answer at least 43 to achieve a pass. You have 57 minutes for this part of the test.

Hazard Perception ( CGI ) Computer generated images

This will test your awareness and the ability to spot developing hazards through 14 video clips. 13 clips have one developing hazard and one clip has two developing hazards. The pass mark is 44 out of 75.

Once you have gained your theory certificate, it will remain valid for two years, and you will need it to hand when booking your practical test, so keep it safe.

The Practical Test Explained

The Practical Test is designed to assess if you can drive safely in a variety of conditions and circumstances, as well as your understanding of the Highway Code. Before the test begins, the examiner will check your eyesight and you will have to answer two questions on vehicle safety.

The Driving Section

The drive will last around 40 minutes, and will include one of the reversing manoeuvres you have practiced. You will be asked to follow the road ahead unless otherwise indicated by the examiner or road signs. You may have to complete an emergency stop. There will also be a period of ten minutes of independent driving, during which you will drive without any guidance from the examiner.

To successfully pass, you need to make 15 or fewer minor faults without any serious or dangerous faults.

Check 100 (Refresher Lessons

If you want to improve your driving skills and become a safer motorist, this short driving assessment – which is conducted in your own vehicle – could be just what you need. The course lasts about an hour and includes a 35-40 minute drive, after which you will receive feedback on your driving. If there are any areas for improvement, you may wish to book further lessons. Check 100 costs £30.

Check 200 (Refresher Lesson)

If you have been driving for a while and want to refresh your knowledge and enhance your skills, we recommend our Check 200 assessment. This one to one session will help you to develop safe driving techniques and identify bad habits, with the ultimate aim of giving you more confidence on the roads. A 50 minute drive will be followed by a debrief, and you will also be provided with a written report. As with Check 100, you can book additional lessons if required. Check 200 is just £35.

PDI Part 3 Recovery Training

If you have passed Parts 1 and 2 but are struggling with Part 3, let us help you to gain your green badge by assisting you with your PSTs. This training is only £40 per hour, and could help you to avoid becoming one of the 78% of PDIs who fail their tests.

ADI Check Test Recovery

If the time is approaching for your Check Test, we can provide the additional training that you need to succeed and gain the grade that you are after. The cost of this is £90 for 2 hours of training.

Motorway Course/Familiarisation (NOT PASS PLUS)

As motorways become busier, they also become more daunting for new and experienced drivers alike. This course will provide you with some advanced tuition to improve your confidence and your knowledge of motorway driving, and will include a minimum of 3 hours of motorway and dual carriageway driving. It will also cover theory in relation to the laws of the motorway, as well as how to be a safe and responsible motorway user. Our Motorway Course/Familiarisation costs £99.00.

Advanced Driving

It is an unfortunate fact that most road traffic accidents which occur are not in fact accidents, but collisions caused by driver error. They can often easily be avoided with forward planning and anticipation of the effect of other road users.

Advanced Driver Training will make you a safer more accomplished driver. You will reduce the risk of being involved in an accident, therefore ensuring that you are as safe as you can be for your family and friends.

Excel Driving Academy are proud to offer our customers the chance to become an advanced driver from as little as £180. Our Advanced Driver Training follows systems set out in the Police Drivers’ Handbook, encouraging drivers to adopt a safer, more methodical and considered driving style. It aims to improve the driver’s ability to control the speed and position of their vehicle, their all-round observation skills, planning and handling of the vehicle.

The benefits of the Advanced Driver Training are plentiful. Not only will you improve the safety of your driving and reduce your risk of being involved in the Road Traffic Collision, but you can also improve your fuel consumption and reduce general wear and tear to your vehicle. Your driving will become smoother and more economical, helping you save money on fuel and servicing. You can also enjoy reduced insurance premiums after having passed the Advanced Driver test.

Course Itinerary

Initial driver assessment and demonstration drive from your instructor with commentary.

Tailored report and action plan developed which focuses on any areas where you may fall below Advanced Driver standards.

Instructor training (Two hours)

Independent practice and revision of Highway Code and DSA Essential Driving SkillsSecond training lesson to assess your progress and address any issues (Two hours)

Test booked with Diamond, IAM or RoSPA

Further lesson including motorway driving in preparation for test (Two hours)

Additional support available on day of test if required.

Your test will be booked through either:

Diamond www.driving.org/diamond

IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) www.iam.org.uk

RoSPA www.rospa.com

Eco Driving

Experienced drivers contribute to the single largest impact on fuel consumption and road safety within the UK.

Excel Driving Academy is proud to offer all of our customers the opportunity to improve the way they drive by enrolling on our Eco Driving Course. This will make you a safer, more confident driver and help reduce your fuel consumption by at least 15% per year.

Based on just a weekly fuel spend of £40.00, we could SAVE you an AMAZING £312.00 and that’s just on your fuel consumption. Our unique Eco courses will also help reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, which means that you will spend less…

What will I learn on this course?

Essential Driving Techniques

Understanding the ‘Limit Point’ and ‘System of vehicle Control’ to ensure you drive safely and more efficiently.

Advanced Observations, Planning & Observational Skills.

Block Changing

Dealing with Skidding and loss of vehicle control.

Driving in Hazardous conditions – Snow, Flooding & Icy Conditions

Manoeuvring

These are tried and tested techniques applied by Advanced Drivers to improve road safety and reduce their fuel consumption by upto 15%. This also reduces pollution and reduces your carbon footprint.

COURSE ITINERARY :-

Your training session will last approximately 2 hours and will be conducted in the candidates own vehicle on a one to one basis.

You will receive an eyesight check, document check and an initial assessment by an approved instructor. This will be followed by a demonstration drive by your allocated instructor and full training given.

Areas which will be included:

Vehicle maintenance to ensure optimum running conditions (FLOWERY)

F *Fuel – Ensure you have enough fuel to complete your journey. Consider prevailing weather conditions & the load your vehicle is carrying as this increases fuel consumption.

L*Lights – Ensure all of your lights are clean and working before commencing a journey. Check headlights (dipped & main beam), tail lights, fog lights, brake lights, indicators & number plate lights.

O*Oil – Ensure your oil is between the minimum & maximum markers on the dipstick.

W*Water – Ensure you have enough water/coolant/anti-freeze. Also check windscreen washer fluid.

E*Electrics – Check & monitor the electric warning lights on the dashboard.

R*Rubber – Check tyres (including the spare) are inflated to the correct pressures supplied in your manufacturers guide and they have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre. Ensure there are no cuts or bulges in the side walls and that all dust caps are in place. Also check windscreen wipers, both front & rear are in good condition.

Y*Yourself – Ensure you are fit to drive. Consider previous alcohol intake, medication (both prescribed & over the counter). Ensure you have had sufficient rest/sleep and that you are not tired.

Most efficient start up.

Developing your hazard management and awareness.

Motorway Driving (if requested)

Correct use of gears (block changing)

Separation Distance.

Forward planning and Advanced anticipation skills.

All candidates will receive a certificate of completion along with a verbal summary of their driving style.

Candidates will also receive a professional post training plan that will maintain their continued development and progress.

Excel Driving Academy highly recommends that each candidate returns to us for a follow up training session when they feel that they are ready to make progress and for our expert trainers to reassess their progression.

Intensive Courses

If you’re in a hurry to pass your test, our Intensive Driving Courses could be for you. Also known as crash courses, our Intensive Courses are suitable for those of all ages and driving abilities, whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve previously had hours of lessons. All that is required to take part is that you already have a provisional license. We will also ask you to have passed your DSA Theory Test prior to starting any practical driving as this enables us to book your practical test on day one of our lessons.

We understand that today’s modern lifestyle is hectic, and everyone always seems to be in a hurry. The traditional style of learning to drive once a week is inefficient for some people, and so our Intensive Courses were designed to provide an alternative solution, allowing learners to gain the ability to pass their test efficiently whilst still becoming a safe and accomplished driver.

There are two main types of Intensive Course which we offer:

Shared Tuition

If you have a friend whose driving ability is at the same level as your own, you will be able to learn together on a Shared Intensive Course. Pupils will be behind the wheel 50% of the time, and the other half they will spend watching their co-pupil being taught by one of our instructors. Watching other being taught is an extremely effective method of learning, so you will enjoy the great benefit of gaining knowledge whilst getting regular breaks from driving. If one of the pupils isn’t present at a lesson for any reason, the other one will receive a 1-2-1 lesson.

1-2-1 Tuition

A more traditional way to learn to drive, if you opt for our 1-2-1 your will spend 100% of your course time behind the wheel. Your instructor will assess your requirements and address any weak areas, creating a bespoke lesson plan with the aim of readying you to take your test.

We offer a range of options to suit your ability, time and budget.

The Start-Up (40 Hours)

An Intensive Course designed for complete novices who have had little or no previous driving experience. This course would consist of a two hour lesson every day Monday-Friday for around four weeks.

Intensive 1 (32 Hours)

This beginner course is suitable for those with very limited driving experience but who have preferably driven a car and have some understanding of the basic controls. This would also consist of a two hour lesson Monday-Friday, but for three weeks in total.

Intensive 2 (14 Hours)

This is for intermediate drivers who have extensive experience on the roads but want to brush up on the manoeuvres and technical knowledge require to pass the test. We would expect you to have already at least attempted all manoeuvres and to drive competently.

Driving Test Recovery (8 Hours)

A speedy refresher for those who feel that they are already at test standard.

Summer Holiday Intensive

If you want to pass your test during your school or university holidays, this is the course for you. This would be based on the same hours as the above course. Contacting us early is recommended, to avoid disappointment.

Semi Intensive Course (32-40 Hours)

Available for complete beginners or those with a little driving experience. This is for those who feel that an Intensive Course may be a little too intense. It is broken down into three two-hour lessons per week which will take place in the weekdays, leaving you the weekend to relax. Total learning time should be around two months.

Please note that for all intensive driving courses, we require full payment at least a week prior to the course commencing. For full price listings, please contact us.