Alden Driving Tuition

12/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16uWprZRak/

12/05/2023

Copied from another instructor

🚙 With the continuing lack of test availability at any local driving test centre, a few words from one of my colleagues and me!

🚙 Almost on a daily basis, we are getting enquiries from people with test dates booked and no instructor to take them or a car to take the test in.
A recent request even saying that they’re not very good at reversing and also wanting to know what is required during a test, with all this giving me one week’s notice!

🚙 The best person to tell you what is required on a test and to get you test ready is a driving instructor. The use of my car or any instructor’s car is not a given right but a privilege and I only hand over the keys to my car to a pupil that I have trained and I am confident they will treat it with respect totally independently and have enough knowledge and experience to pass a test.
So telling me you want to use my car, when a test is booked and giving me no time to fit you in into non-existent availability is just NOT HAPPENING.

🚙 In the meantime, we are continuing to train our pupils that are nearing test readiness and no tests available because they have been taken up by people that have no chance of sitting a test on that day. This is also causing a high number of no shows on test day, plus people from out of this local area being allowed to book test, and also have no chance of passing as they have no idea where they are.

🚙 What’s the solution?

✅Get a driving instructor
✅Get the correct training then with your instructor’s advice and consent book a test when they become available.

Let’s do this the right way, then we can all work together to help clear the backlog.

🚙 Thank you

30/03/2023

🚗 For those pupils who feel that it's unfair if an instructor removes their car for a driving test, please let me explain for those that do not know how driving instructors are monitored -

🚗 In recent years, the DVSA decided to change the way in which we, as instructors are monitored on our test performances......In presenting a candidate to test, they MUST be at a safe standard for a driving test, to make informed decisions without the help of their instructor and for the examiner to confidently sign the PASS CERTIFICATE.

🚗 If an instructor has too many FAILS, it can trigger what is known as a Standards Check, whereby a DVSA Enforcement agent (yep, stupid title) gets to sit in the back of the instructors lesson and score their performance 🤔 Grade A Grade B or FAIL... Now you may think that this is a good thing, to check on how instructors teach/value for money etc!

🚗 However, an instructor can be the BEST, with fantastic rapport with their pupils, informative and liveability BUT if they FAIL their Standards Check 3 times, they LOSE their livelihood and their badge removed!!!

🚗 So, before any of you judge that its harsh of the instructor to refuse the use of their car, if they feel that YOU are not at the acceptable standard to pass...Think again! To you, it's a rearranged driving test but to them - It could be the difference between TEACHING OR NOT!

🚗 We, any of us do not make the decision out of spite/nastiness or vindictiveness BUT ultimately to KEEP YOU SAFE!

(Borrowed from another instructor)

🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

04/10/2022

You can take a free mock theory test online 💻

It includes the hazard perception test 🚸

And you don't need to register ✔️

https://www.gov.uk/take-practice-theory-test

06/04/2021

So after last nights confirmation, driving lessons can recommence from 12th April! 🎉Over the next few days I will be contacting my existing pupils to book them in, prioritising those who have practical tests booked.
Once I have contacted everyone and know if I have any spaces I will then contact those on my waiting list.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon and thanks again for your continued support.

Jamie 🚗

08/03/2021

Latest Update from the DVSA. No practical tests until 22nd April.

📢Update on England

👉Unless the government’s coronavirus data for England prevents the easing of restrictions as part of step 1 of the roadmap, we intend that:

From 29 March 2021 in England you can take

✅a CBT
✅motorcycle lessons with instructors
✅a bus driving lesson and test
✅a tractor test

If step 2 of the government roadmap is confirmed on 5 April, from 12 April 2021 in England, you can take

✅car, lorry driving lessons with instructors and lorry tests
✅motorcycle test
✅theory tests

If step 2 of the government roadmap is confirmed on 5 April, from 22 April 2021 in England:

✅car driving tests will restart

22/02/2021

After todays announcement it is looking like lessons can recommence from April 12th at the earliest. 🤞I will keep you all updated as soon as I know more and will contact all pupils nearer the time to arrange getting you all restarted.

If you have a driving test booked before 12th April this will be cancelled so please keep an eye out for an email and let me know if the DVSA have given you a new date.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon 🤞
Jamie

09/01/2021

Please see attached guidance.
We are not allowed to teach you to drive professionally at the moment but it is also now NOT permitted to learn in your own/family car to be taught by anyone in your household or support bubble. If stopped by the police your insurance will not be valid under the new restrictions so that could be points on your licence!
Please stay safe.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive

23/12/2020

With todays latest announcement of us going into Tier 4 from Boxing Day it unfortunately means all driving lessons, practical and theory tests cannot go ahead.

As you are aware no date has been given yet for when this will be reviewed so all we can do at the moment is say we will be in touch as soon as we are informed that lessons can recommence.

If you have a test booked over the next few weeks, the DVSA will email you to let you know it will be cancelled, please check your emails and let me know ASAP if they have given you a new date.

Again we would like to thank you all for your continued support this year. We hope you can still have an enjoyable Christmas and let's all hope for a much better new year!

Jamie

02/11/2020

Lock down update.

Just received this from the DVSA

"All driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates."

If you have a test booked during those dates you will be contacted to let you know it is cancelled. Last time those who had a test cancelled got given priority to rebook once the booking system was reopened.

Unfortunately all lessons from 5/11 - 2/12 are cancelled. I will be in touch towards end of November to hopefully rebook you all in once we have an idea if/when restrictions are being lifted.

Apologies to you all but unfortunately this is out of our control. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and I will try my best to help you.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and loyalty.

Stay Safe
Jamie

01/11/2020

Dear Students

Just a quick update as I have received several messages.
You will all be aware of the announcement by the Prime Minister regarding the latest lockdown starting Thursday. At present I am unsure as to the full implications this will have on lessons and tests. 🤞🤞 the DVSA will issue more information over the coming days as to whether driving test centres will remain open and tests will go ahead during the lockdown. If they do continue and we are allowed then I will continue with teaching. However, it's looking extremely likely that all driving lessons will have to stop from 5th November for a period of 4 weeks.

I will keep you all updated as soon as I receive anymore information.

Any lessons booked Monday - Wednesday will go ahead as planned.

Stay safe
Jamie