Driving Lessons in Lewisham

How to find an expert driving instructor and pass your test faster in Lewisham

How to choose a driving school in Lewisham

You want to learn with an instructor in Lewisham who:

  • Supports you in your learning
  • Makes learning fun
  • Won’t cost an arm and a leg!

So, when you look for a driving school in Lewisham, make sure that you follow these 4 steps:

1. Compare reviews

It’s important to get an idea of whether other learners enjoyed their experiences with any driving school you’re considering. However, most driving schools in Lewisham only post their best reviews on their websites, so head over to a trusted review site like Trustpilot in order to get a full picture.

2. Beware of terms and conditions

You might have found a fantastic deal for your driving lessons in Lewisham, but it’s important to read the terms and conditions before booking to check whether it’s just too good to be true. For example, some driving schools in Lewisham expect you to take all your driving lessons within a short timeframe, after which they invalidate them.

3. Check that you can switch instructors

It’s vital that you get on with your driving instructor. After all, you’ll have to spend hours in the car with them! Not all driving schools in Lewisham will allow you to switch instructors for free if you don’t get on with yours, so check their policies before booking.

4. Avoid long waiting times

Some driving schools in Lewisham have longer waiting times than others, but most won’t advertise their waiting times on their websites. So, make sure that you enquire before you commit yourself to a school, as that might influence your decision.

Tips for learning to drive in Lewisham

If you want to learn fast and pass your driving test quickly, you’ll need to put in some practice between lessons in Lewisham. In fact, the DVSA recommends 22 hours of private practice before taking your driving test.

Driving instructors in Lewisham have shared some of their top practice spots in the area:

  • Selworthy Road: The residential roads in Perry Vale, like Selworthy Road and Winsford Road, are wide and quiet, making them perfect for getting the hang of the basics like clutch control, or polishing your manoeuvres.

  • Goffers Road: Goffers Road in Blackheath is a popular spot for lessons with driving instructors in Lewisham. It’s wide, quiet and straight, so it’s great for beginners. There’s a mini-roundabout to get you clued up on those tricky road systems, and there’s also a slight incline which makes it a good place to head to when you’re looking to practise your hill starts.

  • Hither Green: If it’s time to get some test practice in then head to Hither Green in the Lewisham borough. It’s where one of your nearest test centres is located, so driving instructors in Lewisham recommend checking out the likely test routes!

  • The A20: The A20 is a busy urban road with cycle lanes, bus lanes, traffic lights and numerous junctions. It’s the ideal place to hone your hazard perception skills!.

  • The A205: On the A205, you’ll find a large multi-lane roundabout where it connects with the A201. It’s a great spot to rehearse responding to road markings and getting those observations on point!

Choosing your test centre

Once you’re progressing through your driving lessons in Lewisham, your instructor will help you to choose a driving test centre, and start preparing you for your big day.

Test centre pass rates

Hither Green
49%
West Wickham
47.4%
Sidcup
46.9%
Barking (Tanner Street)
34.3%

DVSA practical car test pass rates, 2018-2019.

Barking (Tanner Street) Test Centre | Pass rate: 34.3%

Barking Test Centre has the lowest pass rate in the area. You’re likely to come across busy junctions and multi-lane roundabouts on a test here.

Address: 84 Tanner Street, Barking, Essex, Greater London, IG11 8QF

Hither Green Test Centre | Pass rate: 49%

With one of the highest pass rates in London, Hither Green is a test centre that comes highly recommended by driving instructors in Lewisham. Plus, if you’re Lewisham-based, it’s likely to be your closest!

Address: 42-44 Ennersdale Road, Hither Green, Greater London, SE13 6JD

Sidcup Test Centre | Pass rate: 46.9%

You’ll find Sidcup Test Centre in a quiet industrial area, but don’t be fooled - it’s just around the corner from the A20, so you’ll want to brush up on your hazard perception!

Address: 2 Crayside, Five Arches Business Estate, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Greater London, DA14 5AG

West Wickham Test Centre | Pass rate: 47.4%

West Wickham Test Centre is located on a narrow road just off the A232. Driving instructors in Lewisham recommend that you’re comfortable with your passing distances when you take a test here.

Address: 56 Glebe Way, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 0RL

Search your postcode on the DVSA website to find a full list of test centres near you.

Test tips from driving instructors in Lewisham

Find out what driving instructors in Lewisham have to say about passing the practical driving test in the area.

1. Drive defensively

Driving defensively is important anywhere, but it’s particularly important in London where drivers tend to be more aggressive. So, expect the unexpected and make sure that you reflect that in your driving.

2. Perfect your passing distances

Instructors in Lewisham have warned that there are lots of roads on the test routes near Lewisham that have been made narrow by parked cars on both sides. That means you need to be confident with your passing distances and you need to know your rights of way like the back of your hand.

3. Research the parking situation

It’s important that you research your test centre thoroughly before test day. Some of the driving test centres near Lewisham, like Barking, don’t have allocated parking for test candidates, so you may struggle to find a nearby parking space. If you know what to expect, you can leave yourself extra time to be safe.

Choosing between manual and automatic

Choosing whether to take manual or automatic driving lessons can be difficult.

On the one hand, manual driving lessons are cheaper than automatic ones. But on the other, you might pass your driving test quicker in an automatic car, as there’s less to get your head around.

Automatic cars are generally more relaxing to drive in urban areas like Lewisham, as you don’t need to press and depress the clutch each time you come to a stop at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. But if you’re going to be travelling on longer roadtrips outside London on a regular basis, you might prefer to drive a manual car, which gives you a greater sense of control.

It’s worth noting that while a manual licence qualifies you to drive both manual and automatic cars, an automatic licence only qualifies you to drive automatics. So make sure you’re certain about your decision before you book!

Where we provide driving lessons in Lewisham

Most driving instructors in Lewisham cover the whole of the borough. Some popular areas include Brockley, Catford, Downham, Hither Green, Perry Vale, Sydenham and Grove Park.

Popular areas in London include Barking, Brixton, Bromley, Clapham, Croydon, Dagenham, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Harrow, Hayes, Hounslow, Islington, Kingston upon Thames, Putney, Romford, Southall, Stratford, Sutton, Tottenham, Twickenham, Uxbridge, Walthamstow, Wandsworth, Watford, Wembley and Wimbledon.

Enter your postcode to see driving lesson prices near you.