Driving lessons based in Kirkby Stephen near to Kendall and Penrith in The Eden Valley in Cumbria and surrounding areas. Call me on 07401 247 175.
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Hello! My name is George Berry and I am a calm and patient DVSA approved driving instructor, based in Kirkby Stephen, and I love teaching people to drive in and around The Eden Valley in Cumbria and surrounding areas.
I currently offer lessons in the following postcodes: CA10, CA11, CA16, CA17, DL8, DL11, DL12, LA6, LA7, LA8, LA9 and LA10.
Before moving into driver training, I had worked for more than twenty years in the customer service industry, this has taught me to remain calm under pressure, whilst ensuring that a customer has a great experience whilst their needs are met. I’m not happy unless one of my customers leaves me to go and tell all their friends about how good the service was that they received from me.
My standard hourly rate is £44 per hour
As the lessons can cover a large area and to allow us to cover as much as we can in your lessons, the lesson the optimum lesson length would be 2 hours, but to help you budget we can do a lesson of 1.5 hours
From January 1st 2024
A 1hour lesson will cost £44
A 1.5 hour lesson will cost £65
A 2 hour lesson will cost £85
I also offer a 10 hour block prepaid, which can be used for your 2 hourly lessons at £400
I also offer refresher and confidence building for the new and the more experienced older drivers along with motorway driving tuition, teaching you to be confident and above all, safe, when driving on the country’s motorway network.
So, whatever your driving tuition needs, I can help you.
Please do call on 07401 247 175 or fill in the form below
The Tests
THEORY TEST & HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST
You’ll need to pass the driving theory test before booking the practical driving test. The test consists of a multiple choice section and a hazard perception section. Both parts need to be passed to achieve an overall pass.
Take a look at the video below for more information.
PRACTICAL TEST
The practical driving test is designed to see if you
can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions and know the Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability. The test lasts 35-40 minutes. As long as you show the standard required, you’ll pass your driving test.
You’ll need to have passed your driving theory test before taking your practical test.
Take a look at the video below for more information.
Please note: If you book a practical test yourself, and we consider that you are not up to the required standard, then we reserve the right to withdraw the use of our tuition vehicles for that test.
Show Me Tell Me
I will help you learn all you need to know to drive safely and these are the Show Me Tell Me questions you might be asked – watch the videos to help you prepare.
These are the Show Me questions
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?
These are the Tell Me questions
1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.
2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.
3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.
The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.
4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.
No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.
Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.
7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).
8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.
Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.
9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.
If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.
Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.
Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.
11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.
Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.
12. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.
Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.
13. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.
Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.
14. Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.
Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.
Refresher Courses
Are you an older more experienced driver who wants a refresher course? Or perhaps you have lost your confidence? This can happen for a number of different reasons – being involved in a car accident, or perhaps you have had a driving break for a few years?
Over the coming years, mature drivers will make up an increasing percentage of our road users. The major difficulties affecting older drivers are declining visual performance and the slowing down of reaction and response time.
Whatever the difficulties facing you, we can help you to improve your competence and confidence when out driving to help you continue to hold your driving licence and to use modern roads in a safe manner.
Motorway Driving
When you have passed your test and want to get out and about, you will soon find that you need to drive on Britain’s network of motorways to travel any real distance.
Many new drivers, and more experienced drivers are daunted at the prospect of motorway driving. Motorways are one of the safest categories of road in the UK, however, whilst accidents are fewer in number, compared to non–motorway roads, they usually involve more vehicles and speeds are higher.
Many first time motorway drivers are frightened by the variety of vehicle types encountered on motorways, and unprepared drivers find hard to cope. Add this to poor weather conditions and the risk of incident becomes much greater.
I can help you gain the extra skills and the confidence you need to become a safe motorway driver.
