ALTITUDE

I currently use a Hyundai i30 1.0 T-GDi with a 6 speed manual gearbox. That's about the size of a Ford Focus.

It has built-in SatNav to help to prepare for the independent driving element of the test, cruise control, and air conditioning to keep us cool or warm depending on the British weather.

On your first lesson, you'll need to bring your provisional licence, your payment if you haven't paid in advance, and your theory certificate if you've already passed that.

Also bring your glasses if you need them (you'll need to be able to read a numberplate at 20 metres/5 car lengths before we can let you drive), and a mask or other suitable face covering subject to the latest COVID advice.

Above all, bring an open mind, and a willingness to learn. It's meant to be enjoyable!

That rather depends on your previous level of experience. If you've already done a number of hours of training, after a discussion of your needs, we'll probably do a short assessment session. To see where you're at, and to decide what needs to be done.

But, if you're an absolute beginner who's never sat in the driver's seat before, don't worry. We'll first get you familiarised with the car and in a good position to drive, by doing a 'Cockpit Drill and Controls' lesson. This is followed up by 'Moving Off and Stopping' in various situations.

You will drive the car, but we do things at your own pace, and there's no right or wrong level to have reached. By the end of the lesson, maybe you'll have just mastered your first gear change or two, or maybe you might manage your first few left and right turns at simple junctions. Who knows? But the sky is the limit!

Within reason, I am happy to pick you up, or drop you off at a different location, as long as the travel time is feasible to or from my previous or next lesson, allowing for a comfort break or refuelling needs. I typically allow 30 minutes between lessons, so a 15 to 20 minute travel time would be reasonable.

So, happy to drop you off in Caterham if my next lesson is in Warlingham, but not able to pick you up at home in Selsdon to drop you off at the University of Brighton.

That does depend somewhat on the time of year. Night lessons in June are a bit impractical, given that I finish at 7pm. But I do like to try to arrange for my pupils to do at least one night lesson if it's at all possible.

I've never forgotten my first night drive. I didn't actually mean to do it.

You see, I was a summer learner, with all my lessons in the daylight. I passed my test first time (in West Wickham, as it happens), and then managed to scrape together the funds to get my first car on the road.

One autumn day, I decided to take a trip to Hastings, with plans to leave in plenty of time to do a daylight trip back home.

Yes, well, one traffic jam trying to get out of Hastings put paid to that idea! Darkness descended, and I scared myself silly!

When I called Harry my instructor the following day, he said,'What do you want a lesson for? You passed weeks ago!' I replied, 'Yeah, I know. But it's dark now!'

During my extra lesson, Harry, of course, passed on some of the info that I now teach to you good folks. But THAT is why I always like to do a night lesson if we can!

Since 4th June 2018, learner drivers are legally allowed to take driving lessons on motorways, provided they are supervised by a fully qualified ADI in a dual controlled car. Please don't practice this with mum and dad, it still isn't legal to do so.

I certainly don't shy away from taking learners on the motorway (or any other higher-speed roads, for that matter). But it is subject to having reached a safe enough standard, and also if it fits in well in terms of your learning journey for us to do so. While I strongly encourage pupils to do a motorway drive at some point, I wouldn't force you to if you really didn't want to. It's always your choice.

Of course, post-test motorway tuition is available if that's what you are looking for, at the post-test lesson rates. Depending on your needs and location, these would be either 2 hour or 3 hour sessions, as it's not possible to cover adequately in a 1 hour session, given that it will take time to access the motorway network and back.

I usually use West Wickham, Redhill, or Sevenoaks test centres.

Others may be possible, but impractical due to the travelling time needed to get there, or other issues.

For example, I know Tunbridge Wells centre very well indeed (I used to live there). But, given that it takes a good 40-45 minutes to get there (and back), you would be left with little to no time to practice or to get familiar with some of the quirks of the local area. Unless we do some 3 hour lessons. It's far better to select a centre where we can spend some time practicing in and around the area.

On test day, you'll need to bring your provisional licence. The test just won't happen without that, and you'll lose your fee.

Ideally, also bring your theory pass certificate. Don't panic if you can't find it, it's not normally a problem. But it's best to have it with you in case the examiner needs to see it.

Also, it's a good idea to have some record of your test booking. Usually, you might have an email on your phone with the test details. Some people like to bring a printed version. It's not vital to have this, but it can save time if there's any sort of problem.

If you need to wear glasses or other eyesight correction in order to read a number-plate at 5 car lengths, be sure to bring that too.

Your clothing and footwear should be comfortable for driving, given the likely weather conditions on the day.

COVID measures mean that you'll likely have to drive with the windows at least partially open. So a coat is a good idea, but it shouldn't be bulky enough to restrict your movement.

We usually use my car for test day, it's by far the easiest to take the test in the car you learned in. But it is possible to use your own car subject to it meeting the requirements for a test, which can be found by clicking here