Amber Driving School Southampton

13/09/2021

I have a cancellation on Friday 17/9, at 1pm, is anyone able to do it?

23/02/2021

I have decided to start booking in customers for dates after 12th April, so I'm putting up this post now, in order to prioritise my current customers, expecting a tidal wave of new customers to flood me in the next few days. I haven't had confirmation from the DVSA yet, just trying to be organised and hit the ground running. Please could you text me with the dates you would like, I will reply to you to confirm, and also to tell you if there's a clash. Please be quick, in order to avoid the rush

22/02/2021

After the government's announcement today, it might be possible that we can resume lessons in April, along with non essential shops, just waiting for an email from the DVSA, will let you all know as soon as I find out. Fingers crossed!

25/01/2021

Hi all. Well the 13th has come and gone, and still no news yet. Looks like we are going to remain in lockdown for the next few weeks. I guess most of you will be aware when we come out of restrictions. It looks like the government is going to go for a phased relaxation of the restrictions, so hopefully, at some point, we will move down to tier 3. When lessons resume, I will put a post up and let everyone know the date. All lessons that are booked after this date will run as normal, so please let me know if your plans have altered and you can no longer attend. Anyone that doesn't have a lesson booked in, I will be phoning to book more in. I will probably phone all my customers just to have a catchup, and see where we're at. In the meantime, according to your ability, you can:
- Go over cockpit drill and controls.
- Go over procedure for junctions (MSPSL).
- Observe other people driving, and their use of steering/ mirrors.
- Revise for your theory test.
- Run through the manoeuvres sheets and learn them.
- Get some driving practice with someone from your household, or from your bubble (essential journeys only).
- Remind yourself of the problem areas.
- Learn the 'show me, tell me' questions.

If anyone needs any help, or a chat, feel free to ring me, it's not as if I'm busy! Hopefully we will all be back on the road before too long. Other than that, stay at home and stay safe. Missing you all, and looking forward to seeing you soon.

03/01/2021

Happy new year everyone! Well hopefully better than the last one! Sorry for the late notice, I’ve been having my laptop fixed, but just been told it’s terminally ill, so having to write this on my phone, so going to keep it brief. As you are all probably aware, Southampton is now in tier 4, and the DVSA have stated that driving lessons and tests are not able to go ahead in tier 4. Therefore I am not able to conduct lessons next week from the 4th January after my Xmas holiday. The government has said that it will review the current restrictions on the 13th January, so all lessons until then are cancelled, and at the moment, all lessons after then will go ahead as normal. Obviously subject to whatever is said on the 13th. I will let you all know as soon as I know. Keep studying and practicing if you are able to. Hope to see you all soon.

13/12/2020

30/11/2020

I had this email from the DVSA a few days ago:

Following clarification from the Government these restrictions will last up to and including Wednesday 2 December 2020.

This means all driver, rider and theory tests will restart on Thursday 3 December.

We have emailed everyone with a test booked between Thursday 5 November and Wednesday 2 December to let them know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date.

Driver and rider training should not restart until Thursday 3 December.

I rang the DVSA this morning, and they said that they have not been told that tier 2 should not reopen for driving instructors, therefore, I am going to begin the process of booking in customers from Thursday 3rd until Xmas. I will book in the lessons for after xmas on the last week before the Xmas holidays, same as I usually do. As far as I'm concerned, all lessons that are booked between these dates can go ahead as normal. I think the easiest way to do this is: If you had a lesson or lessons booked with me before Xmas and you want it/ them to go ahead as normal, then can you send a reply to this post, so I know who's seen it. If there are any changes, then can you let me know by replying to this post also. Anyone I don't hear from I'll ring. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

25/11/2020

Hi everyone. I haven't heard anything from the DVSA yet, but after the prime minister's announcement on Monday, that non essential shops and hairdressers can open on the 3/12, I'm guessing that driving instructors can go back to work then also. Any lessons booked between the 3/12 and Christmas will go ahead as planned, unless I hear different. As soon as I hear anything official, I'll let you know.

04/11/2020

I have just rung the DVSA, as no information was forthcoming, and they informed me that instructors will not be allowed to teach key workers during the second lockdown. They will also not be able to do driving tests. As with all my other students, I will be informing everyone when I will be ble to work again. At the moment, this is December the 2nd, but the lockdown may be extended, so I will keep you informed as and when I know.

02/11/2020

Today I received this email from the DVSA:

Update on lockdown measures in England
Following the announcement on Saturday 31 October 2020 around further lockdown measures being introduced in England, we are working closely with the Government to agree the impact these will have on DVSA services.

All driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates soon.

We'll keep you updated on the situation and provide further guidance when we're able too.

Excuse the spelling mistake at the end. It's from the DVSA. Notice it says 'all driver training and tests'. So it doesn't exclude key workers, unlike last lockdown. As it says, 'it will provide further guidance', they may go on to clarify the position for key workers in the coming days. So people like Tali, Sophia, David and others, I might be able to carry on with you throughout the lockdown, I am awaiting clarification. At the moment, from this email, it looks like all lessons will stop on thursday 5/12, until wednesday 2/12. I will keep you updated as soon as I know.

Keep cheerful. Enjoy the lockdown. Do your homework, and don't get rusty. Practice with family and friends, but for essential journeys only. I'll be finishing renovating my loft!

16/08/2020

Fast forward the recording below to 1 hour 45 mins and hear me talking about my business on BBC radio Solent