Tom Norton School Of Motoring

31/07/2026

21/04/2026

A Concerned Driving Instructor's Plea

As a driving instructor in the UK, I've seen it time and time again: parents pushing for minimal lesson hours and rushing their teenagers to take the driving test as soon as possible. But let's take a step back and look at the alarming statistics.

Did you know that young drivers are disproportionately represented in road traffic accidents?
According to the UK's Department for Transport, in 2024

The risk of a fatal crash is highest among newly qualified drivers, with the first year after passing the test being the most critical.

Teenagers are the highest risk group for all types of car crashes fatal, injury causing, and property damage only.

Teen drivers face the highest crash risk due to inexperience, distractions, and nighttime driving.

Number 1 killer of teenage drivers .
Driving at night.
Inexperience.
Failure to use seat belts.
Driving while fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel.
Drug Driving

The Importance of Adequate Training
As a driving instructor, I've seen firsthand the difference that proper training and experience can make. When learners are given the time and support they need to develop their skills, they're more likely to become confident, competent drivers.

Let's Prioritize Safety
To parents and guardians, I urge you to consider the risks of rushing your teenager through the driving test process.
Investing in adequate lesson hours and allowing your child to gain sufficient experience behind the wheel can be the difference between life and death.

Let's Work Together
Let's prioritize safety on our roads and give young drivers the best possible chance of success.

It’s a life skill that will keep them safe on the roads don’t rush them.

05/12/2021

The DVSA have advised that face coverings are now Mandatory on all lessons, so as of Monday 6th December, unless medically exempt, we must wear a face covering.

Driver testing services – face covering legal requirements in England
Face coverings are now mandatory for you and your pupils during professional driving lessons and practical tests in England, unless you are exempt under new temporary regulations.

This follows the Government’s announcement to make face coverings a legal requirement in a range of indoor public settings in England to respond to the emergence of UK cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Wearing a face covering can reduce the risk to others and yourself against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 infection (COVID-19).

The full list of exemptions is on GOV.UK.

Driving lessons in England
It is a legal requirement for you and your pupils to wear a face covering during a driving lesson unless you or your pupil is exempt. You need to let your pupils know about this change.

You should also ensure good ventilation during lessons and clean your vehicles before each lesson to help prevent the spread of the virus. Regular hand hygiene is also recommended.

Face coverings are not required for private practice with family or friends. Your candidates can check the advice on keeping themselves and others safe in the coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance.

Driving tests in England
Your pupils must continue to tell us if they are exempt from wearing a face covering when they book their test. This will allow us to arrange for their test to be carried out by an examiner who has volunteered to test candidates who are exempt from wearing a face covering. If you have made the booking on behalf of your pupil you will need to do this if required.

Your pupil’s test will not take place without a face covering if they do not tell us they are exempt ahead of their test.

We will be contacting candidates with a practical test booking in England to confirm this. If you booked a test for your pupils, you need to let them know about these changes.

You should also wear a face covering when travelling with a pupil to a driving test, unless you are exempt. We will not allow the test to take place if we see an instructor or their pupil not wearing a face covering whilst sharing a vehicle before the test.

The DVSA requirement to present a clean car that has been ventilated also remains.

28/04/2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test

Find out the 10 most common reasons for failing the car driving test in Great Britain.

23/02/2021

Let’s hope that lessons can start again from the 12th April as well. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

14/01/2021

☃️As there is adverse weather conditions today, all lessons are cancelled😁☃️

30/12/2020

I will try and get in touch with everyone with any updates as soon as I know.
For now have a safe and happy new year.

27/11/2020

I am just waiting for clarification from the DVSA about training in “tier 3” once I have it, all lessons will hopefully restart again on Thursday 3rd 🤞🏼🤞🏼