Learning to Drive with Drivex Academy
Whether you are a complete beginner or have previous driving experience Drivex Academy has a package for you. All of our training packages come with a Drivex Academy Course Hand Book and follow our fully-structured syllabus.
By following our fully-structured syllabus you can be sure that your lessons have a positive and identifiable purpose and together with your Drivex Academy Course Hand Book you can see your own progress through the course. The advantage of this fully-interactive coaching system is that you determine your own rate of progress - at each stage of the course we will set you a standard that we are looking for you to achieve and as soon as you reach that standard we progress to the next stage!
'This is double the national average pass rate and puts our instructors in the top 4% in the U.K.'
So, how do you get started?
For those keen drivers who can't wait until their 17th Birthday to get started why not try our one of our Headstart - Driving at 16 courses?
Once you have obtained your Provisional Driving Licence, for the novice driver we recommend our Starter Package as the best way of getting started. For those who have some previous driving experience, especially if you are looking to do an Intensive Course, then we would recommend starting with our Assessment Session so that we can take full advantage of your existing skills.
Below are more details of all of our exciting driver training packages:
- Headstart - driving at 16 years
- Starter Package
- Assessment Session
- Intensive Courses
- Top-up Lesson Packages
- Practical Driving test Session
- Own-car Tuition
Headstart - driving at 16 years old
For those who are really keen to get started our Headstart courses give the opportunity to start learning to drive a car up to a full year before legally being allowed on to the public roads. Originally launched in September 1998 the demand for these courses has been high from day one; they were even featured on Meridian TV News!
Starter Package
Especially designed for the novice driver this is the ideal way to start your driving 'career'. Our Starter Package consists of four 2-hour practical driving lessons plus all the study materials required to pass your Driving Theory Test. The lessons can be taken at times and as frequently as you wish.
The study materials that come with this package are:
- Drivex Academy Course Guide and Log Book Folder
- Highway Code (book)
- Know Your Traffic Signs (book)
- Driving Test Success (PC DVD ROM)
Starter Package: £217.00
Assessment Session
For those who have some previous driving experience or are looking to do an Intensive Course then we recommend our Assessment Session. This 2-hour practical session is to enable your Drivex Academy Instructor to assess your existing knowledge and skill levels and to thus determine the best options for you to progress further within our overall syllabus. Also, we never forget that the Assessment Session is a two-way experience and it is the ideal opportunity for you to assess Drivex Academy!
At the end of your Assessment Session your Instructor will be able to give you advice on the following:
- Where your current knowledge and skill levels fall within our overall syllabus.
- How many hours further training may be required to complete the remainder of the syllabus.
- How to progress through the remainder of the syllabus at a pace which suits you.
- How to prepare for and when to take your Driving Theory Test (if required).
- Intensive Courses.
- Learning in your own car
Assessment Session (2-hour): £53.00
Intensive Courses
'These courses usually last between one and two weeks and enable you to make rapid progress through the syllabus.'
When thinking of learning to drive most people think of taking a course of lessons spread out over a period of time. While it is true most people do learn this way, there is an alternative – the Drivex Academy Intensive Driving Course.
These courses usually last between one and two weeks and enable you to make rapid progress through the syllabus. Indeed, provided you have already passed the Driving Theory Test, it is possible to arrange your Intensive Course to coincide with your Practical Driving Test.
Intensive Courses are very popular for those people who want to learn to drive during work or school holidays, or before moving to a new location. We even provide Intensive Courses for holiday-makers and visitors to the Isle of Wight on a regular basis. If the idea of an Intensive Course with Drivex Academy appeals to you then the first step is to arrange your Assessment Session.
Intensive courses are not suitable for everyone. An alternative (and more popular) route is to take regular driving lessons while studying for your Driving Theory Test. Once you have passed your Driving Theory Test your Practical Driving Test can be booked and a course of lessons arranged to coincide with the test.
Intensive Course Fee: £25.00 per hour.
E.g. 15-hour course: £375.00.
30-hour course: £750.00.
Note: Intensive Course Fees do not include DVSA Practical Test Fee.
If you would like to find out more about Intensive Courses with Drivex Academy please give us a call on Isle of Wight (01983) 810012.
Top-up Lesson Packages
The essential building blocks of your driving tuition syllabus; our Top-up Lesson Packages. Once you have completed your Starter Package or your Assessment Session the most common way of progressing through your course is with a series of lessons spread out over a period of time to suit both your availability and your budget. Our Top-up Lesson Packages give you complete flexibility to fit your lessons around your lifestyle and your driving ambitions - take a look below at the packages available:
- 10-hour Package
A completely flexible, full ten hours of practical tuition. The ten hours can be taken as lessons of 1, 1.5 or 2 hour sessions and can be taken as frequently as you wish.
10-hour package: £250.00 (must be paid in advance)
- 6-hour Package
'We believe that learning to drive is more than just passing a test.'
A completely flexible, full six hours of practical tuition. The six hours can be taken as lessons of 1, 1.5 or 2 hour sessions and can be taken as frequently as you wish.
6-hour package: £150.00 (must be paid in advance)
- 2-hour Top-up Lesson
A stand alone 2-hour lesson, ideal when a longer package is not required.
2-hour Top-up Lesson: £53.00
- 1.5-hour Top-up Lesson
A stand alone 1.5-hour lesson, ideal when a longer package is not required.
1-hour Top-up Lesson: £40.00
- 1-hour Top-up Lesson
A stand alone 1-hour lesson, ideal when a longer package is not required.
1-hour Top-up Lesson: £27.00
Practical Driving Test Session
The ideal way to take your Practical Driving Test. Our 3-hour Practical Driving Test Session is designed to give you the opportunity to both refresh any parts the syllabus that you and your trainer might wish to go over and to dispel any nerves that you might have. After a short break the session culminates in you taking your Practical Driving Test after which you can be dropped off at home or at any other location of your choice on the Island.
Your Instructor will advise you on test availability during your training course so that you can plan to take your Practical Driving Test Session to coincide with the completion of your course. The session includes the hire of your Instructor's car for your Practical Driving Test and your Instructor can accompany you on your test if you wish.
Your Practical Driving Test Session includes:
- Full 2-hour refresher training session.
- Hire of Instructor's car for your Practical Driving Test.
- Comprehensive Motor Insurance for your Practical Driving Test.
- Your instructor to accompany you on for your Practical Driving Test.
- Return to home or other Island location after for your Practical Driving Test.
D.V.S.A. Practical Test Fee (weekday): £62.00
D.V.S.A. Practical Test Fee (evening & weekend): £75.00
Practical Driving Test Session: £75.00 (does not include D.V.S.A. Practical Test Fee)
Own-car Tuition
'You can even take your Practical driving test in your own car!'
Once you have reached a suitable standard you will have the option of taking your lessons in your own car. This is ideal for those students who may be practicing in their own car between lessons and wish to continue driving their own car on their lessons.
Taking lessons in your own car is an option which can be discussed with your Instructor at any time during your course with Drivex Academy - you can even take your Practical Driving Test in your own car!
Note: Own-car tuition is subject to your car being being in a legal and roadworthy condition and being insured for your use as a Provisional Licence Holder. You should also bear in mind that some types of vehicle are not accepted on Practical Driving Tests (e.g. Mini Convertible models). More details of vehicles not allowed on test and minimum test vehicle specifications are available on the Driving Test Section of this website. Your Instructor will also be happy to advise on the suitability of your own car for tuition and on the Practical Driving Test Minimum Vehicle Specifications.
There is no additional charge for using your own car on your practical training sessions with Drivex Academy.