How to choose a crash course

There are lots of crash courses to choose from,starting with 5 hour and going up to 45 hour courses.The 5 hour courses will be suitable for those who have probably failed their test and need a quick retest.Remember you will usually need to save 2 hours for your test day with the first hour being travel and a lesson prior to the test.Usually the 35 to 45 hour courses are for complete beginners with varying degrees of confidence.There are also guaranteed pass courses which can be very expensive but guarantee you will get through.At Amba driving school we are here to offer advice and help you choose the course best suitable for yourselves.For crash course driving lessons in Manchester please visit Amba Driving School

Intensive driving lessons.

Intensive driving lessons or crash course driving lessons are popular for those learners needing to get through the driving test in a hurry.This is usually for job requirements.They are not suitable for everyone as the pressure of driving to a deadline can be a strain.Much easier to do it at your own pace but if you need to do it intensively then get cracking. Firstly choose an option that suits your level of experience as most intensive driving school over a range of packages.I think its a good idea to pass your theory test first then you have taken one element of the process out of the way, leaving you to concentrate on the driving.Make sure you pick a reputable driving school.At Amba we have a range of crash course driving lessons in Altrincham,Sale and Manchester.Good luck. Amba Driving School

Dont get more than 6 points on your licence in the first 2 years

If you thought passing your driving test was difficult enough,try doing an extended test.This test is what you will need to take if you get a driving ban.It can last 90 mins and involves taking a lot of tricky driving routes and more than one maneuver.You also need to re take your theory test and if you thought new driver insurance is expensive,try getting a quote with a previous ban.Six points on your licence in the first 2 years is an automatic ban so be very careful and watch your speed.Amba Driving School

Are Intensive or crash course driving lessons worth it?

Its question that's often asked.In my opinion crash courses in a week are only suitable for those who have experience already and have passed the theory test.Maybe needing 10 hrs to get to test standard.Trying to ram 30 hrs or so into a week or 2 weeks isnt easy for a beginner to take on and can have be negative experience.I think doing a semi intensive course spread over 4 to 6 weeks doing 5 hrs a week is a more enjoyable experience and improves the learning experience.For information on crash courses in Altrincham and Sale please visit Amba Driving School

Most common reason for failing a driving test.

Pupils can become obsessed with the manoeuvres;turn in the road,left reverse round a corner,parallel park and bay park.To be honest you have to make a complete mess of them to get a serious fault and fail your test though this does occasionally happen.Its general driving situations that catches learners out on the driving test.Getting too close to park cars,poor observations at junctions,incorrect signalling at roundabouts etc.Really concentrate through out your test and all being well you will pass.Good luck.Amba Driving School

Is it easier learning to drive in a smaller car?

I think when it comes to learning to drive its not hugely important with regards to the size of the car.Obviously there are limits and if your also learning privately along side professional lessons then you dont have any choice if your parents only have an estate car.To give you a reference,I would say between a Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus size would be ideal. Amba Driving School

Driving lessons in a manual or automatic?

In Britain and mainland Europe, manual cars are the most popular and in North America its the other way round and predominately auto. Automatics are way easier to drive as you only need one foot,the right.The downside is they use more fuel than a manual and tend to be more expensive to buy.The other big problem with automatics is that you are not allowed to drive a manual in this country if you pass your test in an auto.Driving a manual in my opinion is more fun and unless your driving is bordering on special needs,a good driving instructor will be able to get you through your test in a manual.Amba Driving School

Whats the best time to take your driving test

I get asked this question a lot by pupils when booking their driving test.There are no easy times to take your test but certain times of the day will influence the routes examiners can take.If your learning to driver in the Altrincham area then Sale is your nearest test center.The first test of the day at 8.20 will mean the traffic is heavy and so the test routes will not venture too far away and the number of routes available will be far fewer than later in the day.The downside to an early test time is that it is very busy but you will have a fairly good idea where the examiner will take you.You also have to get out of bed early.Of course when your ready to take your test you will be competent and experienced enough to be able to deal with all possible roads and situations including;Dual carriageways,country lanes,busy large and small roundabouts,town driving etc.A good driving instructor will ensure you have experience of all the road types you are likely to encounter when you have passed your test. Amba Driving School

Advice for those who have recently passed their driving test

Driving too fast is often considered to be the biggest cause of accidents.Well its certainly up there.The actual single most popular cause is observations,or the lack of them.In the main pulling out from junctions and not checking properly.Its also known by road traffic types as SMIDSY,which translated means "Sorry mate I didn't see you". Accidents through speeding mainly come into the equation when negotiating bends,arriving too fast and ending up in a wall or hedge.Take on-board any warning signs that give you a clue about a difficult corner approaching and slow down. Altrincham,Hale and Bowdon have plenty of tricky corners so be careful. Amba Driving School

Driving Lessons In A New Car

Learning to drive in a newer car is much easier but be careful when you have passed your test and find yourself in possession of a much older model.Things will be different;gears,brakes,steering and road holding.A new car will use modern technology to keep the car planted to the road.Thinking you can brake and take bends the same speed in your 10 year old Fiat Punto or Vauxhall Corsa would be a mistake.Take time to understand the capabilities of your own car as it could be an expensive error otherwise. Amba Driving School

Intensive driving courses.Are they worth it?

We have all seen the the advertising blurb telling you its possible to pass your test in a week.Is the claim true? Well it depends what test they are referring to.Vague use of the word test could mean the theory test and not the actual practical driving test.Well its possible to pass your theory test in a week with a lot of hard work.With regards to the driving test its a big ask being able to pass in a week.Firstly you need to have passed your theory test and then driving tests have waiting times of around 5 weeks! Not really possible me thinks.Consider that the learning process is not as effective when doing around 4 hrs a day on an intensive course so you have to ask yourself is it really worth it.If you are near test standard in ability and have your theory test out of the way and have a practical test booked already then its possible. Amba Driving School for driving lessons in Wilmslow Altrincham and Timperley.

Theory test

A lot of pupils can build the theory test into a massive academic ordeal.This then leads to pupils delaying the exam and eventually apathy sets in and the whole learning to drive grinds to a halt.Dont be afraid of the theory test,its no big deal.As long as you are prepared for it,and there are plenty of very cheap learning aids including DSA apps,then you should be fine.It always seems terribly sad to me that pupils spend money on driving lessons, are making great progress and then have to stop for months even years due to their anxiety over the theory test.Just do it! Amba Driving School for driving lessons in Wilmslow Altrincham and Timperley.

Choosing a Driving instructor

Driving instructors are mainly chosen through word of mouth.This is understandable as choosing the wrong one can cost you time and money so hearing from a friend of a positive experience with an instructor can make the choice reflectively simple.It becomes a bit more tricky when your making the choice yourself.Things to consider include making sure the instructor has a green badge and not pink which would indicate they are a trainee and not an ADI(approved driving instructor).Ask for their grading as well,anything from 4-6 is fine.Be careful you do not just go for the cheapest lessons when choosing a driving instructor.There is probably a reason they are cheap and that's usually because they are not very good.You can also find yourself initially not driving anywhere but learning how the radio works(seriously) as the instructor is reluctant to spend money on fuel. For a reliable driving instructor please Amba Driving School for driving lessons in Wilmslow Altrincham and Timperley.

Driving lessons in Altrincham

The DSA is proposing some changes with regards to test centers.The aim is for test centers to become local and Altrincham as an area has been chosen to test the idea.The details of where the test center is to be housed have not yet been released but they will need plenty of parking with toilet facilities.Big supermarkets spring to mind.The minute this information is released I will let you know. Amba Driving School for driving lessons in Altrincham Timperley and Wilmslow.

Can I trust my driving instructor.

Choosing a driving instructor without someone recommending them to you is a little bit of a lottery and can turn out to be an expensive mistake.First of all make sure the instructor has a green badge on display and not a pink one.This means the instructor is fully qualified and and will not be using you as a guinea pig to gain experience towards the final part of their instructor exam.Be careful with instructors offering too good to be true deals,they usually are and its not in the instructors interest to get you through your test any time soon.They have to claw back the lost money initially by suggesting you need more lessons later down the line.You can also find yourself in the first few lessons not actually driving anywhere but being shown how to use the radio!

Good luck with your choice of driving instructor.


For driving lessons in Wilmslow Altrincham Lymm and Sale, please visit Amba Driving School

Driving lessons in Wilmslow

Learning to drive in Wilmslow isn't too bad at all.For complete beginners there are quiet areas where the pupil can relax and not feel intimidated by other road users.For more advanced drivers there are plenty of dual carriageways and roundabouts offering opportunity's to practise Independent Driving which now forms 10 minutes of the driving test.With regards to choosing a driving test centre,its a toss up between Sale,Didsbury and Macclesfield and would depend on which side of Wilmslow the pupil lives.

Fo driving lessons in Wilmslow please visit Amba Driving School

Driving Lessons in Lymm

If I'm honest about it,Lymm doesn't offer the best roads for learners who are just beginning.The roads are narrow,busy with plenty of hills.A short journey into Bowdon is a better option.Here the pupil will feel much more at ease without the pressure of other vehicles.This in turn means the pupil learns quicker and its no time at all before they are driving with confidence back to Lymm.The nearest test centre is Sale so the driving lessons are usually structured around this area and usually takes 15mins from Lymm.For driving lessons in Lymm and Sale please visit Amba Driving School

Do private driving lessons help?

Any practise you can get will help when learning to drive.If you are in the fortunate position of being able to use a parents car for private driving lessons in between lessons with your instructor,then that's a big help.There is the problem of swapping between different cars but this will quickly resolve itself as the driver becomes more familiar with the car.What private lessons give to the learner is the exposure to many different road situations and the experience to deal with different circumstances.This in turn builds confidence.
What you have to ask your self as a parent or who ever is paying for the learner insurance,is it worth it? Apart from the cost of insuring the car you have to consider fuel,vehicle ware and tear, time out of your day and not to mention fraying nerves.In my experience,doing lessons privately usually saves the pupil about 6 paid instructor lessons to be ready for their test.This would save the car owner aprox £126.So is it worth it?


If you are looking for driving lessons in Altrincham Sale or Wilmslow areas please visit Amba Driving School

New theory test launched

For those of you are not yet aware,The DSA no longer publish learning aids which list all the questions from the theory test.The reason for this is so pupils don't just remember the answers purely by rote but understand the method behind the answers.From the feedback I have had from pupils who have recently taken the theory test,nothing much has changed with it.Existing theory test learning aids are still of use as the questions would seem to be pretty much the same.Obviously for those who have not purchased any theory aids,then the new 2012 DVD would be your better option and not to mention everyones favourite; The Highway Code.

For driving lessons in Altrincham please visit Amba Driving School

Booking your theory and practical tests

Be careful when booking your theory and practical tests on-line.There are a number of commercial sites that look as if they are the official DSA site but in fact charge you more.Its easy to find yourself on one of these sites if you do a Google search.Make sure you visit the official www.dft.gov.uk site then you know your not getting ripped off.

For driving lessons in Altrincham Sale and Wilmslow please visit Amba Driving School