Driving lesson questions, answered.

Fully qualified, both of them. Clinton and Ian are DVSA Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs): each has passed all three DVSA qualifying tests, including the teaching test, and displays the green ADI badge.

No. CP Driving teaches manual transmission only. You'll learn in a modern, well-maintained dual-control manual car. If you specifically need automatic lessons, just ask and Clinton can point you to a trusted local instructor who does.

Call 07450 210420, WhatsApp, or use the contact form. Clinton is available 7 days a week, 7am–10pm.

A valid provisional driving licence. Wear comfortable shoes (no heels or flip-flops) and bring your glasses if you need them for driving.

The DVSA average is 45 hours of professional tuition plus 22 hours of private practice. Everyone learns at their own pace. Your instructor will give you an honest assessment after your first few lessons.

Absolutely! Most of our students start from scratch. Your first lesson covers the very basics: cockpit drill, moving off, and stopping. No experience needed.

£42/hour, £63/1.5 hours, or £400 for a 10-hour block (saving £20). No hidden fees, no booking charges.

No. CP Driving teaches manual only. A manual licence covers both gearboxes, so passing in a manual lets you drive any car. Used manual cars are still cheaper and more plentiful, and even with EVs the manual-skill argument doesn't disappear. If you specifically need automatic driving lessons in Poole, just ask and Clinton can point you towards a local automatic specialist. You'll learn with your instructor in a modern, well-maintained dual-control manual car.

Yes, give at least 24 hours notice and there is no charge. Less than 24 hours may be charged at the full lesson rate.

The car and your instructor's time on test day are charged at the standard £42 hourly rate. There is no separate test-day fee. The £62 practical test fee itself is paid to DVSA when you book.

CP Driving covers all areas of Poole: 18 neighbourhoods including Parkstone, Broadstone, Canford Heath, Hamworthy, Upton, Branksome, and more.

Yes. Nervous learners are Clinton's speciality, and Ian's lessons are built around patience and stress-free instruction too. Both work at whatever pace you need, and many of Clinton's students were nervous starters who went on to pass first time.

Never. Mistakes are how you learn. Your instructor creates a relaxed, judgement-free environment where you can build confidence naturally.

That's completely normal and more common than you think. Your instructor will help you rebuild your confidence and address the specific areas that need work.

4-20 Harwell Road, Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole BH17 0SA. Both instructors know the Poole test routes.

Most of our learners pass first time, but we don't publish a percentage. A rolling figure can swing on a handful of tests, and it's easy to read as your own odds, which it isn't: preparation decides your result, and your instructor will only put you forward when you're ready. For an independent picture, read our 92 Google reviews.

Poole test centre's published pass rate is 53.4%, above the national average of 50%. That figure counts every test taken at the centre, first attempts and retakes together. For first attempts only, the Poole figure is 53% (DVSA, April 2025 to March 2026), the fairest comparison for anyone's first-time results. Figures vary between sources; the gov.uk centre pages are the official record.

Through the official GOV.UK website: the practical test fee is £62 on weekdays and £75 in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays. Since 12 May 2026 the test must be booked under the learner's own details. DVSA's July 2026 figures put the median wait at Poole at 7.1 weeks between booking and test, but the standard booking window is still congested, so the first date you see can be months away. Book early and check back for cancellations; Clinton can advise on the best time.

No. Since 12 May 2026 it's against the law for anyone but the learner (an instructor, a parent, or a paid booking service) to book, change or cancel a car driving test. Someone can still help or sit with you while you do it (including support for a disability or a language barrier), but the booking has to be made by you. Clinton will happily talk you through the timing.

Two. Since 31 March 2026 you can move a car driving test twice; after that you have to cancel and rebook from scratch. And from 9 June 2026 you can only move your test to one of the three nearest test centres to your original booking, so book somewhere you genuinely intend to sit it. For most Poole learners that anchor is the Harwell Road centre.