If you're learning to drive with me in Hull, we'll find somewhere nice and quiet for your first one or two driving lessons. Learning to drive can be stressful if you're asked to do things that require all your concentration and have to deal with busy traffic conditions at the same time - at Call Harry we aim for all our training to be stress free, I'll find suitable areas for your lessons where you can concentrate on what you're learning about and I'll be dealing with any traffic. Once you're ready to cope with other road users I'll be introducing you to varying road and traffic conditions gradually but you'll never be asked to do anything that either you or I feel you couldn't cope with comfortably.

What are the Basic Skills?

The Cockpit Drill
In your early lessons we'll be concentrating on the basics such as learning about the car controls, where they are and how to use them - if you've never taken much interest when you've been in a car before we'll take as long as you need so that you're completely comfortable with all you need to know before we begin driving. We won't venture onto the road until you're ready.

Moving Off and Stopping
Once you're familiar with all the controls (in your first lesson if you're already familiar with the basics) we'll be learning how to get the car moving and how to stop safely at the side of the road.
You will find out how to move off uphill and downhill as well as on a level surface - we'll start learning about how to do it safely using the Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre (MSM) routine which will be developed throughout your training.

We also use the MSM for stopping  - in fact we use it for everything! We'll be doing it over and over so it becomes 2nd nature to you.

Mirrors and Signaling
Depending on your previous experience these lessons might be taught at the same time - you'll be out on the road by now and finding out when we need to use the mirrors and why, and how to signal effectively in a variety of different situations.

The Emergency Stop
I've never had a pupil who's needed to do an emergency stop for real! You will be taught how to drive safely and confidently from the first lesson and I'll be helping you all the way. But we never say never and if we do come across an emergency you'll be ready to deal with it.
You'll also have much more confidence in your ability to stop the car as quickly or as slowly as you want after this lesson and by now we'll be ready to move onto learning about the subjects grouped in the road skills area.