© 2003-2010 John Barrett

10/06/2010 20% off for 20 students special offer available

John Barrett has recently changed area to mid West Wales and needs to build up a diary as soon as possible. This means the first 20 students who take regular weekly lessons or book an intensive course with him will get a 20% discount on all lessons until they pass their test.  

03/05/2010 Lessons now available in Wales

L2P can now provide lessons in mid west Wales. This includes Carmarthen, Lampeter, Cardigan and the surrounding areas. We will also be offering trailer training (B+E) for drivers who passed their test after 1997 and now want to tow a large trailer with a car. More Details...

21/03/2010 Coaching Learner Drivers - Research Study

The University of East London (UEL) is conducting research into the results of coaching learner drivers Vs Instructing learner drivers. This is a result of the general move in the driver training industry away from a “You should do this” approach to a “What do you think you need to do” approach. The aim is to encourage the driver to be responsible for their own decisions from a very early stage rather than passively doing as they are told and slowly gaining responsibility.

 

Will this work? We believe so, and, for those we have tried this on, so do our students. A typical response is “I feel more in control because I don’t have to concentrate on your voice during the drive”

 

We are part of the UEL research group so are helping to shape the future direction of driver training in the UK. Coaching is that future.

 

For more information, on coaching and the future direction of driver training in Europe, visit the Hermes site

25/11/09  Christmas Presents at L2P

Stuck for an idea for a Christmas present? We have the perfect solutions for all budgets from a single hour to a full package. See our Christmas Presents page.

04/11/08 Cardington Special Test Pass

Well done John for passing the Cardington special test. This is an advanced test for driving instructors carried out at the DSA examiner training centre near Bedford. It is one of the most difficult driving tests that can be taken. It involves one and a half hours of driving on every sort of road; including motorways. Five manoeuvres must be completed and an emergency stop. Asked why he did it, John replied “It was a challenge to see if my driving is as good as it can be. How can I be sure I am giving my learners the best possible advice if nobody has examined my driving for a while? I think all instructors should have their own driving checked regularly” John is available for driving tuition in the New Forest, Waterside and West Southampton areas. Now he has passed the Cardington test, he plans to start training other driving instructors for their ADI test.

10/08/08  Sale in SO4 Postcodes

If you live in an SO4 postcode, there are some special offers available for a short time only. See the Price List for more details.

10/05/08  Public Consultation!!

The public’s views are being sought on the future of learning to drive in the UK. You can get involved and express your views at:

 http://learningtodrive.dsa.gov.uk/pages/home

24/03/08 Test Fees to Rise AGAIN!!!!

After consulting the industry, and the industry saying very clearly to the DSA that IT IS NOT JUSTIFIED, the DSA have decided to ignore the consultation responses and raise test fee prices yet again to £56.50 for a normal car test from April 2008.

Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive, said: "The Driving Standards Agency has to cover its costs in providing driving and riding tests to learners throughout the country. “

"We are already planning to make efficiency savings of £4.8m this year and a further £6m in 2008-9, but to make sure we continue to offer an excellent service, the fees we charge must match our costs."

Our opinion is that, with 6-8 week waiting lists and poor on-site facilities, we do to see this “excellent service” we are supposed to have been offered. We also feel that the £56.50 fee will price out many potential drivers encouraging them to take the illegal route to driving. The DSA have failed to demonstrate these ‘costs’ that they are trying to match with higher fees. It is a scandal that a government monopoly can charge what it likes and ignore the almost unanimous response to their own consultation. Please contact your MP if you agree with these views.

01/01/08 Grants Available for Pass Plus

Hampshire County Council are giving £75 grants towards the cost of Pass Plus to Hampshire Residents*.  You can only get the grant if you use an instructor registered with the council, you do not have to use your regular instructor. Contact Us for details.

*Excludes Southampton City and Portsmouth City Postcodes.

22/12/07 New Web Site is Live

The web site has gone a complete re-design. I hope you like the new look. Please let us know via the contact page if you experience any problems.

01/06/07 Changes to Theory Test

From 3rd September 2007 the number of questions asked in the DSA theory test will increase from 35 to 50 questions. The pass mark will become 43 and the time allowed to complete the test will increase to 57 minutes. The new test fee will be £28.50.