Learn to drive in Bexhill, Battle and Hastings

Call Freephone 0800 9709852 to book your lessons

Whatever age you may be, having the independence of being able to drive yourself about, instead of relying on public transport or family and friends, is a great gift. Here at Ride Drive (Southern) the total beginner right through to the advanced driver are fully catered for, and each given the same level of customer care. You, the customer, are in the driving seat, so that whatever level or package you choose, it will be individually tailored for your requirements. As a learner your first question may be, “How much and how long will it take?” Our response is that we will offer the best possible value and put you in for your test as soon as you are able, regardless of the number of lessons you have had. It is a question of ability not how much money you have spent. Driving is an interactive and hands on learning process. You will learn very little sitting at the roadside looking at pictures while the instructor is saving on his fuel bill. That is a little like expecting to learn to swim while keeping your hair dry. Basically you get what you pay for. You can either learn to pass a test or you can learn to drive AND pass a test. Issues will not be fudged and an honest answer can always be expected. Learning to drive can be a daunting experience so we work hard to make it as easy as possible. We pride ourselves on providing our students with a positive and enjoyable learning experience, and the icing on the cake is that we have an excellent success rate.

Questions and answers

Why should I choose Ride Drive (Southern)?

Ride Drive (Southern) offers:

• A fully qualified driving instructor (ADI), IAM, and RoSPA with 25 years' experience as a Police Class 1 driver and rider

• A sporty little car which is great fun to drive

• Discount of 10 percent when you make a block booking of 10 lessons

• One to one tuition only – with no pick ups    en route

• A Welcome Pack which includes a Theory Disc, student manual, appointment card and  progress report

• Pass Plus support after you pass

How many lessons will I need?

Research shows that the current average is 45 hours of tuition, with an additional 22 hours private practice to pass. This may seem high however it is a broad-based average across the total spectrum of ages and does not take into account the individual or their latent ability.

We will give you an idea of how long you are likely to need after your first lesson. You can help keep this low by taking two-hour lessons and following our easy tips for practice with parents or relatives.

How long will my lessons be?

The length of your driving lesson is what you feel comfortable with. We recommend that your first few lessons are one hour long because to begin with you will require heavy levels of concentration and this can be quite mentally tiring. However, once students feel comfortable many choose to have two hour lessons giving them time to take in what the instructor is saying and then putting it into practice. And that could cut down the number of lessons you need, helping to reduce the overall cost. With one-hour lessons you often spend more time recapping on the last lesson and preparing for next time than you do learning!

What car will I be driving?

You'll drive a dual-control Suzuki  Swift Sport 1.6i which has great nippy around-town performance and is fun to drive.

Where will I take my test?

Most of our students take their test in Hastings but others prefer Eastbourne, and we are happy to accommodate individual wishes.

What if I fail my test?

Students can fail tests for all sorts of reasons but never through lack of preparation. We do not put students in for a test if we do not feel that they are ready. It is a waste of time and money for all concerned.

If a student fails their test then we will work together on the area or areas that require development as identified by the examiner. The minimum waiting time for taking a re-test is 10 working days.

I hold a foreign driving licence so does that mean that I can drive in the UK?

If you have a foreign licence, you can usually continue to drive on it for 12 months after entering the UK and may be able to exchange it for a UK licence. If you want more details the DVLA provide everything you need to know.

Cost                         

£20 per hour

Block booking discounted price of £190 for 10 lessons with unused lessons refunded (£195 paying with Pay Pal)

PASS PLUS

Pass Plus is a training scheme for new drivers. It's much more than just a few extra lessons. This specially designed course by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry, helps you:

Gain valuable driving experience safely - you will be taught how to deal with a wide range of road and traffic situations, many of which you probably won't have faced before.

Build on your existing skills and knowledge - it can take years to become a skilled driver. PASS PLUS helps get you there by speeding up the learning process under expert tuition.

Reduce your risk of being in a road crash - the course will help boost your awareness of all kinds of hazards and help you learn how to anticipate, plan for and deal with them safely.

Boost your confidence - if you feel nervous driving on your own, the PASS PLUS training can help you become more confident on the roads.

PASS PLUS consists of six practical modules which cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. You can take it at any time within the first 12 months of passing your test.

There is no test at the end of it - your driving will be continually assessed and you must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved, or exceeded standard

In exceptional circumstances, if a module can't be done on the road it will be covered in a theory session (the highest level you can reach is 'achieved' as you've not been able to demonstrate the relevant practical skills).

Save money on car insurance premiums. When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course.

Don't worry if you haven't got a car at the moment, you may be able to defer the discount for up to two years. Again, check with your insurance company. If you passed your test more than a year ago you should check that you'll be eligible for the discounts on offer from your insurance company before you take the course.

Cost

The PASS PLUS course with Ride Drive (Southern) costs £180 and comprises of 10 hours including real motorway driving time.

To book your PASS PLUS course call 07711 606426

PARTICIPATING INSURERS

AA Insurance 0800 294 1200

Adrian Flux Insurance Services 0800 505 3000

Churchill Insurance* 0800 200 300

Co-operative Insurance Society* 0161 832 8686

Direct Line* 0845 246 8888

Zurich (Eagle Star)*/ 0800 333 800

Norwich Union*/ 0800 888 111

Privilege* 0870 243 5555

Provident Insurance plc  01422 331 166

Royal and Sun Alliance*/ 0207 588 2345

Tesco Motor Insurers* 0845 300 4400

Swinton 0800 409 6551

Quinn Direct Insurance Services 0800 587 8000

Endsleigh 0800 028 3571

* Companies that can be contacted direct.

/ Companies operating through brokers and other independent intermediaries

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the details presented are accurate Ride Drive (Southern) cannot accept responsibility for any changes or amendments made by insurers and agents.

Other insurers not identified above may still offer some discounts to those who successfully complete a Pass Plus course. We therefore recommend that you check with insurers on the availability of a Pass Plus discount.