Driving Lessons in Southall

The essential guide to learning to drive in Southall

View other guides: Driving lessons in London, Driving lessons in Birmingham, Driving lessons in Manchester.

How to choose a driving school in Southall

Everyone deserves an instructor who:

• Builds your confidence
• Makes learning fun
• Doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!

That’s why you should do these 4 things:

1. Compare reviews

Most driving schools will only select the most glowing testimonials for their website. Explore some independents review sites like Trustpilot or Reviews.io if you want to know a school better.

2. Be aware of terms and conditions

Some schools in Southall have attractive introductory offers, like 4 lessons for £45. However, you will have to save two of these lessons for test day, meaning you’ll have to purchase non-discounted lessons in between. Study the terms and conditions carefully to avoid being caught out.

3. Check that you can switch instructors

If you find yourself needing to change instructors, for whatever reason, you’ll want a school that can facilitate this. Some driving schools in Southall are able to offer you a new instructor upon request, but others will only refund you. In the latter case, you could end up stranded with no instructor.

4. Avoid long waiting times

Very few schools in Southall publish their waiting times. It’s best to get in contact and find out how long you’ll be waiting for your first lesson before you part with your money.

Choosing between manual and automatic

You’ve got a choice to make between manual and automatic driving lessons in Southall.

A manual licence will qualify you to drive both automatic and manual vehicles, whereas an automatic licence will only qualify you for automatic vehicles.

Automatic driving lessons tend to be pricier because there are fewer automatic instructors around. However, automatics are generally easier to learn in than manuals, so you could end up saving money by passing in fewer lessons.

If you plan to drive during Southall’s rush hour, you might want to consider an automatic over a manual as you won’t have to worry about changing gears. But, like automatic driving lessons, automatic cars tend to be more expensive than their manual equivalent. So if you’re looking to drive on a budget, a manual licence might be better for you. They also offer a better sense of control.

So, manual or auto? In the end, it’s down to you!

Choosing a driving test centre

When you’ve picked your driving test centre, your instructor will help you learn the routes likely to come up in your test.

Test Centre pass rates:

DVSA practical car test pass rates, 2018-2019.

Southall Test Centre | Pass rate: 39.6%

Southall Test Centre is surrounded by 20 mph residential streets, so be sure to watch your speed and pass any parked cars at a safe distance.

Address: 295 Allenby Road, Southall, Greater London, UB1 2HD

Yeading Test Centre | Pass rate: 36.7%

Yeading Test Centre has the A312 and plenty of roundabouts on its doorstep. That can make for a tricky start to your test, but don’t be discouraged. Passing here will mean you’re a well-rounded driver.

Address: Cygnet Way, Willow Tree Lane, Yeading, Greater London, UB4 9BS

Find your nearest test centre through the DVSA.

Test tips from Southall instructors

1. Take a driving lesson before your test

It’s helpful having one last lesson before your test. You can practise around your chosen test centre or go over some last-minute manoeuvres. At the same time, you’ll boost your confidence and get adjusted to the day’s driving conditions.

2. Be prepared for speed bumps

A lot of the roads, particularly around Southall Test Centre, are 20 mph and are regulated by speed bumps. Make sure you anticipate the bumps so you can reduce your speed before going over them.

3. Take care on A roads

The A40 is the biggest major road near Southall Test Centre. At times it goes from two lanes to three, so make sure you’ve got your lane positioning down. If you get stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle, use the right-hand lane to overtake or your examiner will penalise you.

4. Know your junctions

As a mainly residential area, Southall has lots of junctions and crossings for pedestrians. Pay particular attention to your surroundings on roads like the A21, which can get busy with both cars and pedestrians crossing the road.

Where we provide lessons in Southall