Month: July 2025

Thinking about taking automatic driving lessons in Oxford?

We look at the difference between automatic and manual driving and how it might affect you.

We’ve all been there, accelerator, brake, clutch and gearbox, now coordinate them whilst steering, watching the road – at least three cars in front too – and remembering where we are going and it could rain or the windows steam.

Some of us master this expert choreography faster than others, for some it comes naturally for others it doesn’t. If that’s you then this may be one of the key reasons for choosing to learn in and drive an automatic vehicle. If you need to pass quickly or just feel you are struggling too much with a manual gearbox automatic lessons might be a good choice. Remove the stress of this feat of coordination and you confidence and performance will increase, remove the complication of learning this added skill and it could save you 15 hours of driving lessons. So it can work out cheaper too. There may be other reasons for choosing automatic driving lessons, if you have a disability this may be more appropriate to your ability. Or you may already own or have access to an automatic car. Whatever the reasons there are some implications and some information you might want to consider:

Automatic and manual vehicles here are the facts:

• An automatic car has an automatic transmission or gearbox, so the gears change automatically as the car moves. There are still first, second and reverse gears. A manual change will be required to reverse or in certain situations like a steep incline.
• In a manual car extra judgement is required, and physical coordination to change gear as the driving situation requires. This can be frequent in traffic and in built up areas where there are many obstacles to navigate.
• In America automatic vehicles are the norm. In Europe only 20% of cars (Source: Wikipedia) are automatics, manual gearboxes are the norm.

Implications of an automatic driving license:

• If you take an automatic driving test, and pass, you will only be legally entitled to drive automatic cars, to later have a manual driving license you will need to take a manual driving test, and will likely need further driving lessons.
• If you drive as part of your job, or are required to drive company vehicles, as most vehicles are manual a manual driving license may be more appropriate. It’s worth checking the expectations of your employer and considering if you will want or need to move jobs or careers in the future.
• Automatic cars use slightly more fuel per mile than manual cars and automatics in the UK and Europe are more expensive.
• There is less choice in the UK and Europe when you are buying or renting a car. Car rental may be especially difficult.
• If you need a courtesy car from your garage or insurers again an automatic might not be available.

There is a lot consider and learning to drive in an automatic or a manual car is not a decision to take lightly. Here at LDA we can help you to make the decision about automatic lessons in Oxford either when you start to learn, or if you feel you need to change from manual to automatic driving lessons or vice versa during your course of driving lessons. Our qualified and experienced instructors will take time and patience to help you with the best method for you. If you are looking for a manual or automatic driving school in Oxford please get in touch.

Here is quick reminder of why LDA should be your first choice for an Oxford driving school.

Top Driving School in Oxford, UK

At Local Driving Academy (LDA) Oxford, we pride ourselves on our high pass rates and our patient, friendly, highly experienced instructors. As an established driving school with a team of DSA approved instructors we can offer quick starts and intensive courses or as many lessons as you need each week. Lessons are always available at weekends and in the evenings, to fit around your commitments, and make sure learning to drive is as enjoyable as possible.

We also offer refresher, pass plus and automatic driving lessons if required. We teach in dual controlled, air conditioned cars on a 121 basis and go one step further than most other driving schools in the area with our specially filmed video guide to the difficult Oxford roundabout, our innovative approach in this area can often save approximately 8-10 hours of learning time.

Special offers are available and include:

• 2 lessons for the price of one (£25) for your first lesson
• Discounts for block bookings
• 30hrs intensive course for £699 and we book and pay for your driving test

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Local.Driving.Academy or Twitter www.twitter.com/oxfordLDA for all our latest offers and news.

Book Your Driving Lessons Now!

To arrange your first driving lesson with your Local Driving Academy and top driving school in Oxford call us on 01865 722148.

Areas served in Oxford, UK:

Abingdon , Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Kidlington, Oxford, Thame, Wallingford, Wantage , Watlington, Witney, Woodstock

Automatic driving lessons in Oxford, automatic driving school Oxford, driving lessons oxford

Are you keen towards taking driving lessons? There can be various reasons for it but the motive is to learn fast and pay lesser price. While selecting your school, make sure whether you can learn driving an automatic car. People nowadays prefer automatic cars to a manual one. These are favourable while driving through busy city streets or any hilly area. You do not have a lot of skills to master so that process is lot easier.

Why learn the automatic lesson?

Automatic transmission cars are becoming very popular and now these vehicles are fuel efficient. You do not have to bear the hassle of shifting gears and concentrate on the road. If you pass the manual test, you will gain license for both transmission types. There are cases where people choose automatic cars due to specific reasons. It’s time to know:

• The person might have certain disability and do not have strength to drive a manual car.
• After repeated failure to pass the manual test.
• If they need to get rid of the L-plates quickly.
• If they own a modern transmission car.

Learn how to drive

Cars are becoming complex machines and you can see too many on the roads. But the most essential part is looking for a proper school for the lessons. Automobile technology has undergone advancement but inspite of that so many people die in vehicle accident round the year. There is a demand of good guidance and supervision from an expert instructor.

Learning how to drive is overwhelming so it is vital to find a top notchautomatic driving school Oxford. A good instructor will make you feel comfortable and safe. These lessons are a lively way for learners to sharpen their skills fast and learn better. This course is basically for the ones who arehesitant and nervous and take huge stress while driving. The whole process becomes very convenient.

Choose the right instructor

To conclude, driving is not an easy job so you should remain active and learn the basics. Modern cars do the adjusting for you but you have to learn how to drive it. One mere disadvantage is that this type of driving lesson might not expose you to the challenges of driving. So, you can always take a little training in manual transmission course. Choose driving lessons oxford within your budget and know their standards. Make sure the training schools pays attention to both road laws and conduct.

These lessons are enjoyable because the students do not face any issues with clutch or the problem of their car getting stalled in the middle of the street. They love every session and pass the exam confidently. Automatic driving lessons in Oxford is an easier way to taking the wheels under control.

It’s time to be an expert

Finally, if you aspire to be a good driver, you must practice in any situation. So, while selecting the ideal school, make sure they offer lessons in every condition and only then you can become a flawless driver

Watch out when booking a driving theory test or booking a driving test in the UK, the DSA warns…

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has warned those learning to drive to be careful of copycat websites offering to book driving theory tests and practical driving tests which can look like the real DSA but will charge a premium for their services.

Some websites have also been offering a “pass protection” or a free re-test that users would never actually qualify for. These are websites offering a booking service only too and are not actually DSA qualified instructors or driving schools.

There is no need to use the services of these websites who are just trying to cash in and what is already an expensive enough life skill.

To book a driving theory test it should cost you £31 and you should book at www.gov.uk/booktheorytest

To book a practical driving test it should cost you £62 and you should book at www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest

The official pages to book and find answers to any questions are all found via www.gov.uk

The DSA have already taken action via Trading Standards and these scam sites are heading for trouble with one already having been fined £85,000 by the premium phone charge regulators.
If you think you have used the wrong site and overpaid when booking a driving or theory test online the DSA advises you to gain advice.

Booking Driving Test in Oxford, UK

If you are learning to drive in Oxford with LDA then your DSA qualified instructor will be happy to advise you at any stage of learning, or booking driving or theory tests in Oxford.

If you book an intensive driving course in Oxford with LDA of 30 hours at £699 we will book and pay for your practical test.

Get in touch today for intensive driving lessons, regular driving lessons, refresher or automatic driving courses with an established, trustworthy, DSA approved driving school.

Welcome to LDA – Local Driving Academy in Oxford. We are one of a few elite driving schools in the city. So if you are still thinking about having driving lessons and passing your driving test in the future then you have come to the right place.

We know that finding the right driving school can be confusing at times, especially when going from website to website in search recommendations made by friends, or filtering through search engine results. It can be difficult to know who to trust.

Well you have come to the right place, the search is finally over! We have been operating in Oxford for several years, and have one of the highest first time pass rates in Oxford. You can easily visit our website and browse through hundreds of our satisfied customer reviews, as they have provided both feedback and messages of thanks and gratitude for the outstanding service that we provided them with during the time that they were with us, and they have also gone on to recommend us to friends and family.

If you are wondering how much driving lessons are with us then look no further as we still are considerably cheap compared to the majority of driving schools in Oxford and our level of expertise.

For prices starting as little a £35 per hour you will be able to have lessons with an experienced and highly qualified LDA instructor that has an impressive set of credentials. However, that is not all because during your first lesson you will be assessed and your driving evaluated in order to track your progress and potentially work out how many driving lessons you will require.

When you finally decide to go with Local Driving Academy you will instantly have a number of driving lesson options to choose from. If you would prefer to drive an automatic car our award winning automatic driving lessons are perfect for those that would prefer not to operate a clutch and change gears. Perhaps you have disability and you are unable to operate the clutch or gears, do not worry we because our experienced automatic driving instructors will be more than happy to accommodate you.

However, we are aware that there are few of you that would prefer to get your license as quickly as possible. We understand that sometimes you are pressed for time, and need to get a license due an upcoming job that you would like to apply for, among a variety of other reasons. That is why we introduced our well renowned intensive driving course that can easily be fit around your schedule, including weekends, as we operate 7 days a week.

Our intensive driving school really is second to none, which is reflected in our pass rate. You will be able to book up to 6 hours of lesson time each day, so that you can prepare for the test in a much shorter timeframe than usual. What is also great about our intensive course is that when you decide to purchase your lessons in bulk for example 10, 20, upwards and so on, you will also receive incredible discounts, meaning that in the long run, the intensive course will eventually end up costing you less, than if you were to pay as you go.

Female Driving Instructors, Oxford

Also for your convenience we can also provide you with a highly qualified female driving instructor to have your driving lessons with. If you would prefer to have a female tutor all you need to do is make a request! We understand that some women would be more comfortable driving with a female driving instructor due to their faith or simply because they feel more comfortable being taught by a woman. We probably have the largest qualified team of driving instructors in Oxford so please understand that we can meet your requests and will be more than happy to accommodate you in any way that we can.

How to pass your driving test?

Well that is a million dollar question, and if we had a crystal ball that would help us to predict how well you would do in your test, then we would be millionaires by now!

However the real answer to this question is much simpler than you think. After all, once you start having private driving lessons with one of our professionally qualified instructors, you will be told when you are ready to take the test. Now that you have the right skill set to pass your driving test, all you need to do now would be to prepare.

If you have had private driving lessons with us in the past or you’ve attended our intensive driving school then you don’t have anything to worry about. We already know that you have been trained to a high standard by one of our highly qualified instructors, who probably knows you and your driving pretty well by now. Our instructors will not allow you to attempt the test if they think that you are not ready.

However, if they think that you have good chance of passing the test and obtain your driving licence, then they will take you for a mock test, that will allow you to practice your manoeuvres, take you to familiar dual carriageways and so on, so that you get a gist of what will be expected from you during the exam, helping you to feel at ease.

You instructor already knows the probable test routes that the examiner might take you through, so they will take time to familiarise you with the route and the area.

But what else can I expect?

During your exam you will be driving under the same conditions, and usually in the same car that you have your driving lessons in, so everything should already be familiar to you, once again with the aim of helping you to remain calm, while concentrating on the roads.

We understand that you might feel nervous before your exam (most people do). Here at the Local Driving Academy also known as LDA, we understand that the day of your test can be very important for you, as it may mean that you can finally apply for a new job that you have been offered, or you no longer have to take public transport with the kids.

That’s is why LDA offers its clients driving lessons at fantastic rates, with highly experienced instructors that will help you go on to achieve your dreams of becoming a full driving license holder.Our highly experienced team of instructors understand the pressure that you are under, and will provide you with positive encouragement throughout your time with us and even before your test.

Your instructor will spend at least 1 hour with you before the test, helping you to fine tune and polishup on all the aspects of your driving, and if there are any manoeuvres that you would like to practice beforehand then you will also be able to run through these.

If you start to have doubts leading up to the exam, then why not have a few crash course driving lessons with your LDA instructor in advance. This should definitely help boost your confidence.

Our professionally trained instructors have a number of LDA standard requirements that they will put you through before they feel that you are ready to take the test. Once you know that they have a level of confidence in you and your ability, then you can relax knowing that the hard part is done. Now it’s just to prove to someone else that you can drive safely and according to the Highway Code.

Although, should you fail don’t worry too much about it, it is not the end of the world. You can always take another test and pass then, so please try not to let your nerves get the better of you.

If you would feel more comfortable with a female driving instructor then that can also be arranged. So why not go online today or give us a call so that you can compare driving lessons in your area, and find out why we are the best.

September 2016 Offer for Driving Lessons in Oxford

September is a time of change for many people – a new school or college, attending or returning to university. For others it is just a time when one period ends and another starts, the time when the summer is coming to an end. For these and many more reasons, September is a popular time to learn to drive and this is why Oxford LDA have created two special offers for the month.

Getting started with learning to drive

One of the hardest things to do when you want to learn to drive is taking that first step, booking that first lesson and getting behind the wheel of the car. We know this can be a bit scary or sometimes we just seem to have such busy lives that we don’t have time to fit it in. But once you learn to drive, you will never look back!
To help entice you to start your driving lesson experience, Oxford LDA are offering a special offer for the price of your first driving lesson – just £25! This means for the cost of a couple of DVDs or a new computer game, you can make that big step, book your first lesson and experience the thrill of driving for the first time.

Motorway Free Lesson – Extra Special Offer for 30 Hours

A big part of driving around Oxford and across the country is using the motorway network. But this isn’t covered as part of normal driving lessons and isn’t a part of your driving test. However, more and more people are asking for lessons on the motorway to help them prepare for when they can drive on these roads on their own.

This inspired Oxford LDA’s second September special offer – we will give you a free motorway lesson when you book 30 hours’ worth of lessons from us. This means you get the extra experience of motorway driving while still with a qualified instructor. And once you have finished your lessons and passed your test, you will be better prepared to drive on any type of road, anywhere in the UK.

Learn the Top 10 Reasons to Fail Your Test

Learning to drive in Oxford with a dual controlled car

Once you have made that first step and booked your driving lesson then you will quickly want more. LDA offer a number of options to help you learn to drive at the pace that suits you and your schedule. As DSA qualified instructors we can offer safe and effective lessons in a dual controlled car that means you never need to stress, feel out of control or nervous when behind the wheel.

Perhaps you have an automatic car at home and only plan to drive that style of car going forward? In that case, you can opt for Automatic Driving Lessons, where you learn exclusive in an automatic vehicle and take your test based on this type of car.

After having that first taste of driving with your special offer lesson, you may find you want to dive into it full on. LDA’s Intensive Driving Courses are perfect if you want to throw yourself into driving and get through your driving test as quickly as possible.

Intensive Driving Courses in Oxford – Learn to drive a week

Call now on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form online and schedule in your intensive driving course today!

Whether you are a young person excited about marking your 17th year, or you are heading into your golden years and want to gain control over your personal transportation, learning to drive is a huge accomplishment. That said, many people express feelings of stress, fear and trepidation about acquiring this valuable skill – but there is no need to worry. A driving course is one of the best investments you can make in your future health, safety and peace of mind.

The cost for this intensive (or semi intensive) course package is likely a lot less than you are imagining – our driving lessons in Oxford are only is £899, and this includes the cost of the practical test (an additional value of£62).

If you are in the process of learning to drive a motor vehicle in Oxford, you should consider enrolling in our intensive driving course. Perfect for those with busy schedules and completely flexible in how you choose to book your sessions, Local Driving Academy is the top rated school in Oxford for cheap driving lessons, and we can get you on the road in no time at all.

Our intensive driving course is perfect for anyone looking to gain the skills, confidence and knowledge that you need to get you behind the wheel within a week’s time.

How can we teach you to drive within a week

The answer is simple – we structure our 30 hour course to your exact needs. We recommend that you choose to schedule your courses in an intensive way, getting you behind the wheel for 5 hours a day, five days a week (25 hours in total).

Then, seeing as the current waiting list for a practical driving test is 10- 12 weeks, we will schedule a refresher session (2.5 hours in length) the day before your test, and another (2.5 hours in length) on the day of your test. This will ensure that you are refreshed, well practiced and ready to get top marks on your driving test, passing with flying colours on your first attempt.

Are you unable to spend an entire week dedicated to dailydriving lessons? No worries at all – we can also operate this course in a ‘semi-intensive’ way, allowing you to schedule your driving lessons over the course of a month or longer.

The cost for this intensive (or semi intensive) course package is likely a lot less than you are imagining – our driving lessons in Oxford are only is £899, and this includes the cost of the practical test (an additional value of£62).

Don’t risk getting behind the wheel before you are fully confident, educated and armed with the defensive driving skills that you need to be the best driver possible. Enrolling in driving lessons in Oxford is the best thing that you can do for your future safety – and the safety of your family and friends.

Want to know more about the flexible driving lessons and courses that the team here at the Local Driving Academy in Oxford offer to our clients? We are happy to answer all of your queries and help you to get started as soon as possible. Call or email us today for information – we look forward to working with you.

Oxford Driving Test Centre Preparations

Preparing to take your test? Here’s what to expect at the Oxford driving test centre.

As you prepare to take your driving road test, you are likely feeling a mix of anticipation, excitement and stress. Many people find that they experience an elevated sense of worry and panic as their driving test date approaches, no matter how well prepared they feel and how skilled they are behind the wheel. Taking driving lessons in Oxford can certainly help, but sometimes you need a little bit more help to feel ready.

While a few jitters are normal as your testing date approaches, as purveyors of cheap driving lessons in Oxford, we want to help you feel in control and ‘in the driver’s seat’ before you take your driving test. Here are some of the key bits of info that you need when it comes to taking your driving test – with this information, you should feel confident, prepared and ready to take on the route.

How long will the driving test take?

Once you are strapped in (don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt!) and ready to go, the actual duration of the test will usually be between 38 to 40 minutes. This amount of time will give the examiner time to assess your skills, aptitude and prowess behind the wheel.

What kind of routes will I be expected to take?

The examiner will want to see that you are able to smoothly navigate a wide variety of streets and roads, and that you can execute an array of necessary skills as you drive through town. As a result, the test route is always slightly different, but you can expect to be traversing various routes such as the Headington Roundabouts, the Cowley Junction Roundabout, the Rosehill Roundabout, Heyford Hill Roundabout and others.

 

What kind of manoeuvres will I have to perform during the driving test?

The examiner will want to see that you have the full command of a wide array of manoeuvres and skills in your vehicle, and that you are able to respond to any kind of situation that might arise on the road. Some of the manoeuvres include parallel parking, turning in the road, reversing around a corner, bay parking and possibly even a controlled stop.

You should be well prepared for any of these manoeuvres, as you will be given no notice or choice over which one you will be expected to perform. Lessons at our driving school in Oxford will ensure that you are more than ready to go.

What is the ‘independent drive’ portion of the test?

Since 2010, those taking a driving test are required to take a 10 minute ‘independent drive.’ This is nothing to stress about, but you should be well prepared. Your examiner will ask you to either follow road signs and markings to a nearby destination, or they might ask you to follow three or four verbal directions coupled with a diagram.

While this section may seem intimidating, it is actually the most intuitive part of the test, as it mimics regular driving.

Tips to pass your driving test the first time in Oxford, UK

Here are a few simple, common sense tips that can help you to have a successful driving test and come out with your license.

• Get a restful night of sleep – Arriving tired or scatty will definitely increase your chances of mistakes and failure.
• Eat a healthy meal – Make sure you eat a nutritious breakfast or lunch, and avoid foods that make you feel tired or logy.
• Do not drink too much caffeine – While you might feel compelled to ramp up your coffee or tea consumption in order to feel more alert, if you drink more caffeine than usual you will be jittery and shaky – not ideal for a driving test!
• Take driving lessons – Ultimately, taking driving lessons in Oxford is the best way to get ready for your driving test. Do not skip this vital step of practicing.
• Know the driving routes and the car: Know the routes by practicing / taking driving lessons on the roads where your test might take place. Also make sure that you are comfortable with all the controls of the car you will be using for the test.
• Stay calm, focused and confident: By staying calm, focused and confident you can perform better in your driving test.
• Understand the test: Driving test taker assess your ability to drive safely and independently, follow road signs, and obey the Highway Code. Focus on key skills like mirror checks, lane discipline, speed control, and positioning of the car.

Where is the Oxford driving test centre?

Oxford driving test centre is located at James Wolf Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX42PY.

Book Your Driving Lessons Today in Oxford, UK

Call now on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form online and schedule in your driving lessons today!

Tips To Find Affordable Driving Lessons In Oxford

Driving Lessons in Abingdon with Oxford LDA – Automatic and Manual

Call now on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form online and schedule in your driving lessons today!

On your very first driving lesson with Oxford Learning Driving Academy (LDA) your instructor is going to go through with you exactly what it takes to be a safe driver and how to pass your test at the first time of trying. Then on each and every lesson you will use our simple formula, then soon not only will you be a safe driver able of passing your test but you will be able to detect any faults you might find.

When a learner driver starts to think about passing their driving test, there is a massive element of enjoyment and adventure for you, but you will also have some serious questions to ask. You don’t want to be ripped off, you want a really nice driving instructor in Abingdon who you can get on with, and you want the best opportunity of passing your driving test first time.

The problem you have is that there are so many driving schools in Abingdon who are you going to choose from? They all look the same – right? And there is hardly any info out there to help you decipher who is going to give you the best driving lessons in Abingdon, but today we have you ll sorted.

In short, the way we are going to teach you will make you feel comfortable, relaxed, in control and with the knowledge you can really impress the driving examiner.

Automatic driving lessons in Abingdon – An Easier Way

Have you noticed just how super cool automatic cars have become, they are not just money savers because you pay zero road tax and very little fuel on the electric versions but just take a look at cars like the Tesla. Just totally amazing and totally automatic.

Taking automatic driving lessons in Abingdon is a wise thing to do, it’s less hassle, fewer lessons needed, and driving an auto is just so easy. Give us a call now on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form online and schedule your driving lessons in under a minute.

Service Areas Oxfordshire:

Abingdon , Oxford, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Kidlington, Thame, Wallingford, Wantage , Watlington, Witney, Woodstock