Oldskool1ST 5HRS £105.00, 07716831262 Automatic only 1hr from £21.00,  Hi im Jim and ive been teaching for 23 yrs very experienced and taught over 500 people or more to drive. Im based in NW london and we can do home or office pick up dependant on location
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Oldskool1ST 5HRS £105.00, 07716831262 Automatic only 1hr from £21.00,  Hi im Jim and ive been teaching for 23 yrs very experienced and taught over 500 people or more to drive. Im based in NW london and we can do home or office pick up dependant on location

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Driving lessons Cricklewood, automatic driving lessons Willesden green, automatic lessons in Neasden, driving instructor Hampstead Heath, automatic driving tests NW london, patient driving instructor london, automatic tuition london, automatic lesson w9

We cater for automatic instruction for the discerning customer, majority of our students take 25/30 hrs of tuition and pass!

Automatic driving lessons in the North West London area, we cater for all types of instruction whether its beginners or advanced learners right up to experienced licence holders and disqualified drivers, that have to take extended tests that require extra tuition. We do late tests and very late tests, we cater for mock tests and have a very good pass rate. Nervous drivers are welcome and we can also do motorway tuition all in a carefully priced package. We always tailor the lessons commensurate to the learning process of each individual student.

DVSA) is introducing significant changes to the driving test booking system to combat the use of bots and stop the reselling of test slots at inflated prices. Key Measures to Combat Bots and Reselling: The new rules, announced in November 2025, are designed to make the booking process fairer for all learner drivers: Learner-only bookings: Only the learner driver themselves will be permitted to book a practical driving test through the official GOV.UK website. Driving instructors will no longer be able to book on behalf of their students, which was a loophole exploited by third parties. Booking limits: Learners can make a maximum of two changes (such as rescheduling the date or changing the test centre location) to their test appointment before it must be cancelled and rebooked with a new fee. This aims to stop companies from manipulating the system to hold and swap multiple slots. Local area restriction: Learners will be restricted to moving their test location to a centre near their original booking, preventing them from "gaming" the system to find slots in distant areas with different demand patterns. Tougher penalties: The DVSA has already been issuing warnings, suspensions, and closing the accounts of businesses found misusing the booking service by reselling tests. Enhanced booking system integrity: The DVSA is working to upgrade its online booking system and implement better security measures to prevent bots from accessing and mass-booking slots. These new booking rules are part of a wider effort to reduce average test waiting times (which were over 21 weeks at the end of June 2025) and ensure a more transparent and equitable system for all learners. 

UPDATE ON NEW TEST INITIATIVES BY THE D.S.A. EACH WILL IMPACT ALL LEARNERS GOING ON THEIR DRIVING TEST:


Back in April 2025, we launched a trial introducing a few subtle but meaningful changes to the car driving test. The goal? To make the test experience more reflective of the current everyday conditions motorists face, and to better prepare learners for a lifetime of safe driving.  

Now that the trial has reached its conclusion, I’m really pleased to share that it’s been a success and we’re now making these changes a permanent part of the driving test from 24 November 2025.  

The story so far: what we did and why

The trial, which took place at 20 driving test centres across Great Britain, focused on 3 key adjustments. These were:  

reducing the number of stops during the test from 4 to 3   lowering the frequency of emergency stop exercises from 1 in 3 tests to 1 in 7 adding flexibility to the independent driving segment (this can be following a sat nav, traffic signs or both) to run for the full duration of the test 

These changes were designed to improve the overall flow of the test and better reflect real-world driving conditions. By putting them into place and allowing for more meaningful route planning, examiners have been able to observe learner drivers in a more natural and realistic driving environment. That’s why we’re rolling out the changes to all driving test centres.  

What success looks like: why these changes matter

For us, success isn’t just about learner drivers passing their tests – it’s about developing safer, more competent drivers.  

Making the above adjustments has helped create test routes that venture into more high-speed and high-risk areas – where location allows – and has given learners the opportunity to face a broader range of driving scenarios. The extension of independent driving has also given learners more time to demonstrate their ability to follow directions independently, just like they would after passing their test.  

As well as this, by reducing the number of stops and emergency stop exercises, the test feels more like a genuine drive, helping learners stay focused and relaxed during what we know can, understandably, be a nerve-wracking experience.

Feedback and benefits

But don’t just take our word for it. Feedback from examiners who have taken part in the trial has been overwhelmingly positive. Here’s what some of them had to say:  

“The reduction in normal stops has allowed the test to flow more fluently.”  

“The trial has helped us create routes that reach new areas.”  

“Customers appear to be better prepared whilst using the sat nav.”  

 “The changes better reflect more realistic driving conditions.”  

“At first, I thought the changes were a bit unnecessary, we already had routes covering high-speed and rural roads. But including those roads in all tests, instead of relying mainly on town driving, is a much better reflection of real-world conditions.” 

How will this impact learners?  

The simple answer is it won’t. For learners, the test will still cover all the essential skills needed to drive safely and independently. The adjustments will simply make the experience smoother and more reflective of real-world driving.  

For examiners, the changes offer more flexibility in route planning and provide a better opportunity to assess learner drivers in varied conditions. 

For the public, we hope the ultimate benefit is safer, more confident new drivers on the road.  

Changes to test administers.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is using Ministry of Defence (MoD) driving examiners to help clear the driving test backlog by delivering up to 6,500 additional tests over the next 12 months. Thirty-six MoD examiners will conduct tests for the public, primarily for cars but also for buses and lorries, on a one-day-a-week basis. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce waiting times, which also includes new rules to stop unfair booking practices. How the plan will work! Examiners: 36 MoD defence driving examiners will conduct public tests one day a week for 12 months. Tests: The examiners will focus mainly on car tests but can also perform bus and lorry tests if needed. Location: They will be based at driving test centres with the highest demand, near their home or MoD base locations. Goal: To deliver up to 6,500 more tests over the next year and help reduce the current driving test backlog. Mutual benefit: The arrangement is designed to benefit both parties, as it will help clear the backlog and keep the MoD examiners' skills sharp. Additional measures to tackle the backlog. Booking rules: New rules are being introduced to stop unfair booking practices, such as bots and resellers booking up test slots.Test changes: Learner drivers will only be allowed a limited number of changes to a test booking before it must be cancelled and rebooked

Rushing your driving test without adequate lessons is detrimental because it significantly increases the risk of accidents, leads to repeated test failures and higher costs, and can cause a lasting lack of confidence. The primary danger of taking your test too early is that you lack the experience and skills required for independent, safe driving. Driving isn't just about controlling a car; it's about making calm, quick decisions and handling unexpected situations on the road. Without sufficient practice in varied conditions, you may struggle with: Hazard perception and response. Observation errors, such as not checking mirrors or blind spots properly, a common cause of accidents. Another issue is misjudging traffic speed and distance when pulling out or changing lanes, losing focus and making a cascade of errors under pressure. Failing your test means you have to pay to re-book, which, combined with the cost of additional lessons, can accumulate significantly and cost more in the long run than proper preparation initially. The current long waiting times for practical test slots mean a failure also results in a lengthy delay before you can attempt the test again, adding to frustration and potentially taking a slot someone who is ready could have used. Negative Psychological Impacts of Repeatedly failing the driving test can have a serious mental toll: It can knock your confidence and self-esteem, making you more nervous in future lessons and tests, which can become a self-perpetuating cycle of anxiety and failure.It can make you fear driving and even lead some learners to give up on driving altogether, delaying their independence by years. The Recommended ApproachThe DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) recommends an average of 45 hours of professional driving lessons and an additional 22 hours of private practice to be test-ready. The most effective strategy is to: Listen to your instructor: They are the best judge of your readiness. Only book your test when they advise you are consistently driving at test standard. Practice regularly: Consistent, regular lessons and private practice in a variety of roads and weather conditions help build muscle memory and true confidence. Take mock tests: These simulate the real test experience, helping you get used to the format and manage nerves. Prioritizing safe driving habits and adequate experience over a quick pass date ensures you are not just ready to pass the test, but ready to be a safe, confident driver for life. 

New driving test rules implemented in April 2025 require 10 working days' notice to change or cancel a car driving test to avoid losing the fee. The practical test format also changed to include 20 minutes of independent driving using a satnav and only one reversing manoeuvre, replacing the previous two safety questions with a single "show me" question asked during driving. Driving instructors and businesses are also restricted from booking tests for others, and stricter rules apply to admin fees. 

MORE STUDENTS TURNING TO AUTOMATIC TUITION.

Driving instructors say more people are choosing to learn in automatic vehicles to prepare for a ban on the sale of petrol or diesel cars in the next five years.

The government previously announced no new petrol or diesel cars would be sold after 2030 in a bid to support zero emission vehicles.

The AA predicted more than a quarter of driving tests would take place in automatic vehicles by 2026.

Mike Nunn, 52 who teaches in an automatic car in Lincoln, said his students "know the shift is going on, know the changes are happening and it will only pick up in pace".

Image caption,

Mr Nunn says he has seen an increase in people choosing lessons in automatic cars

To obtain a full UK licence, external, a driver must pass their test in a car with manual gears.

If the test is taken in an automatic car, the driver would get a Category B Auto licence, restricting them to driving to vehicles with automatic transmission only.

However, Kev Lynes, 48, who teaches in Lincoln and Sleaford using an electric automatic car, said he believed it could reach a point where the different licences were phased out.

"There's certainly a big chunk of people who just look at the future and think it's not going to be that long," he said.

"I've had conversations with people who've said they've gone to the forecourts to look for a car and they're all automatic. They're all either hybrids, electric or automatics."

Mr Nunn said he had felt like "the odd one out" when he began to teach in automatic cars more than six years ago.

"Now, there's definitely more instructors with automatic cars compared to when I started," he said.

Mr Nunn said students were aware of the future of driving and were choosing lessons in automatics due to the shift towards electric vehicles which often have automatic transmissions.

"For many people, it's like this is the way things are going. Everything is going automatic. All the hybrids are automatic."

Image caption,

The AA says fewer people are choosing to take their tests in vehicles with manual gears

According to the AA, almost 17% of people who passed their driving test in 2022/23 did so in an automatic vehicle.

The organisation estimated the figure would reach 26% by 2025/26.

Mark Born, head of the driving instructor training academy at the AA, said more of its instructors wanted to teach in automatics and attitudes had changed.

He said: "People are starting to think a little bit more about the future and think actually do I really need a manual licence?"

Mr Born said it could become harder to learn in manual cars, "simply because driving instructors like new cars and will be switching over."

"We're seeing a shift in the learning landscape," he said.

"The percentages are certainly increasing and I think that will continue over the next four to five years."

Intensive automatic instruction from a 20yrs veteran of driving tuition we tend to get successful results in 98% of our 20/25 hr courses, we have a fast track, test booking service if you find an early test difficult to find. Their is an administrative charge for the 'fast track service'. We do LATE TESTS and VERY LATE TESTS, we cover parts of the NW london area such as West hampstead, Brondesbury park,Willesden green.


IS DRIVING AUTOMATIC EASIER THAN MANUAL?


Yes, driving an automatic car is generally considered easier than driving a manual car, especially for beginners. Automatics eliminate the need for clutch control and gear shifting, simplifying the driving process. 

Here's why:

No clutch pedal or gear changes:

You don't need to coordinate the clutch and gear stick, which can be a challenge for new drivers. 

Simpler operation:

You can simply put the car in "Drive" and focus on the road, pedal placement, and steering. 

Smoother driving experience:

Automatic cars provide a smoother, more effortless drive, especially in stop-and-go traffic, as there's no need to repeatedly change gears. 

May be better for nervous drivers:

The reduced complexity of an automatic car can make it less stressful for new or anxious drivers, allowing them to focus on the road. 

Potentially quicker learning:

Some learners may find it quicker to pass their driving test in an automatic car due to the reduced number of skills to learn.
We also cover Maida vale, Queensway, Paddington, Kilburn and Cricklewood area all students welcome.from beginners to advanced drivers naturally catering for disqualified drivers and those that find driving very difficult at times.


oldskooldriving we can be found on Facebook feel free to visit and read all the testimonials of our very grateful students. 


What are the average results for the practical driving test in Great Britain?

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Practical driving testAverage pass ratePass rate by genderPass rate by ageNumber of attemptsNumber of faultsTest centresLearner driver insurance
Practical driving test
Not everyone passes their practical driving test the first time - and that’s fine! 😎

Some learner drivers take a few attempts to get it right, while others never pass at all. It’s all about making sure that you get your licence only when you’re good and ready. There’s no rush when it comes to being safe on the road.

Managing your expectations can help reduce the pressure you feel in the lead-up to a test, and help you put things in perspective if you don’t pass.

To help with this, we’ve found the average pass rate for the country and broken things down further using age and gender data. We’ve also pinpointed the test centres with the highest and lowest pass rates, identified the most common errors, and found how many people pass their first (and sixth!) try.

It can be frustrating waiting for that licence, but these facts and figures should help you see that every single learning-to-drive experience is different. Good luck!

(PS - if you pass the standard driving test, you can drive a van up to 3,500kg. However, it's worth keeping in mind there are some major differences, so it's we've put together some beginner tips for driving a van to help.

Average pass rate in Great Britain
First up, the headline stat: the average pass rate for the practical driving test in Great Britain.

During the final three months of 2021, 419,742 driving tests were completed in the country. That’a a lot of L stickers and ‘good luck!’ texts! Of those, 48.1% were successful - meaning more tests were failed than passed.

For the current period of 2021/2022 (why driving data is grouped by financial year, we’ll never know! 🤷‍♂️), the pass rate is a little higher, at 49.6%.

That’s a lot of numbers! But the main takeaway here is that, no matter how annoyed you might feel after failing your test, you’re in the majority. More tests are failed than passed.

Passing your driving test feels great
Passing your driving test feels great
Learner car insurance by the hour 🚗
Lesson overrun? Extend your cover easily in the app. Get a quote.
Pass rate by gender
Let’s break things down further, by age, gender and attempt number.

There’s not much difference between men and women when it comes to pass rates in the driving test, despite some lazy stereotypes and tedious routines from comedy dinosaurs down the pub.

Last December, our research shows that 34,805 men and 66,313 women took their driving tests. Men passed 49.6% of the time, and women passed 45.6% of the time - a difference of only a few dozen per every 1000 tests.

Basically, no matter your gender, the recent driving test data shows that you’re slightly more likely to fail than pass your test. Sorry!

Most common driving test faults
We've found the 10 biggest mistakes that learner drivers make during their test. Learn more
Pass rate by age
Unlike gender, things are way more varied when it comes to age.

Perhaps surprisingly, given the high premium rates they receive, the youngest drivers have the highest pass rates.

For the period of April 2020 to March 2021, in-between all that COVID-19 self-isolating and those endless Zoom quizzes, 437,352 tests were carried out.

The youngest age group was also the age group with the highest pass rate: those aged 17 years and under passed an incredible 63.5% of the time.

Tests involving those aged 18 were also passed a majority of the time, with a 53.7% success rate. The kids are alright!

The trend continued with those aged 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. While a majority of those age groups narrowly failed, these applicant demographics all saw at least 48% of tests pass.

As the age groups rose, however, the pass rate continued to drop. Those aged 26, 27 and 28 are the last group with a pass rate of at least 45%, while 37 is the cut-off for a pass rate of 40%. From there, it gets lower and lower.

No age group in the 40s has a pass rate of more than 37.9%, no age group in the 50s has a pass rate of more than 35.5%. Over the age of 60, the pass rate drops to 32.7%.

So, in simple terms: **the younger you are, the more likely you are to pass - ** and pass rates start top drop considerably for drivers over 50 or 60.

Average number of driving test attempts
But what about test attempts?

Luckily there’s plenty of data out there on that too.

Looking at the figures from March 2020 to April 2021, we can see a very clear pattern emerge:

Test attempt Number of tests Pass rate
First 248,299 51.0%
Second 95,183 50.4%
Third 43,320 48.7%
Fourth 22,205 46.6%
Fifth 11,902 44.3%
Sixth and on 6,337 38.8%
If you’re taking your first or second test, you’re more likely to pass than fail. Even if you’re taking your third or fourth attempt, you’re only slightly more likely to fail than pass.

By the fifth attempt, the pass rate drops to 44.3%. Attempts from sixth onwards are grouped together. At this point the pass rate drops to a nervy 38.8%.

But even if you’ve failed the first few times, don’t give up hope just yet. Every year, thousands of learner drivers pass after the sixth-attempt mark - so there’s hope for everyone so long as you keep practising and improving!

Learner driver tips 🚗
How to handle blind spots, stopping distances, roundabouts and hill starts. Learn more
Average number of faults
First, a little explainer on driving test faults.

Faults, put simply, are mistakes you make during the test. There are three types:

A driving fault (also referred to as a ‘minor’). You can make 15 of these before you get an automatic fail. A driving fault isn’t a dangerous mistake, but it's one that could become dangerous if you keep on making it. An example of this would be failing to indicate on a quiet road.
A serious fault (or a ‘major’). One of these and you automatically fail, because the mistake is deemed potentially dangerous. For example, failing to brake when approaching a turn with a car behind you.
A dangerous fault (also a major). This mistake is dangerous to you, your instructor, a member of the public or a piece of property. For example, if you try to pull out in front of a car you didn't spot, and the examiner has to grab the wheel to stop you. It's an automatic fail.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let’s take a look at how many people passed their first attempt without making a single error. The gold standard of driving tests! 💯

In 2018/2019 (the last ‘normal’ year before the COVID-19 lockdowns and backlogs), 733,167 first-attempt tests were taken. Of these, 341,394 (46.6%) people passed. Of these, an extremely talented 10,247 people passed without a single error - 1.4% of t
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