Natalie Picton Driving School

23/03/2026

Do you have these dates in your diary? 📅

The rules for booking and managing car driving tests are changing.

If you've got a test booked, or you're planning to book one soon, here are the key dates you need to know:

✅ 31 March 2026 – only 2 changes can be made to a booking
✅ 12 May 2026 – only learners are allowed to book a test and make changes
✅ 9 June 2026 – learners can move their booked test only to nearby centres

Find out more about these changes 👇
https://ow.ly/6uq950YvpjK

04/01/2026

Natalie Picton Therapeutic Counselling

Morning everyone 🌸

If like me you are preparing yourselves to return to work or school tomorrow, go easy on yourselves today if you can.

The nerves have probably returned and it can feel like dread for some, that can be so difficult.

I love my work but I’m still nervously hoping I can show up fully after having my first full 2 weeks off since last Christmas.

The Monday dread feeling is awful but look for the simple joys in Sunday first, if at all possible. We have a sprinkling of snow here and it’s looking so pretty in the sun. I hope it’s gone by tomorrow though as I have driving lessons until early afternoon then counselling sessions later on.

Good luck for tomorrow 🙏🏻

For many, January is a hard, cold month…

When everyone is setting new goals, laying down righteous ground rules and striving to become a better version of themselves, some of us are fighting to find our feet each day...

You see, December is a month of giving, and some of us, come January, are completely and utterly spent.

A month of remembering everyone, and remembering absolutely everything.

A month of including everyone and of reaching out to each and every person we have ever known.

A month of reaching breaking point every day trying to have fun, to be the ultimate hostess, to be the perfect guest.

A month of stretching ourselves financially, emotionally and of letting our boundaries be breached by many... in the spirit of the season.

And then January hits and bam... before we can even begin the arduous task of clearing away the festivities, we are expected to jump on the ‘new year, new you’ bandwagon and transform ourselves entirely.

For some of us this is just too much.

January is the darkest and most depressing month of the year and for many sensitive souls, the barrage of ‘advice’ on how we ‘should’ be living, is just too much.

So perhaps this is a safe place to say that maybe it’s okay to take a week or two to recover and to just be kind to ourselves before demanding better.

And for those of us who really do fall low in the darkest month of the year. For those of us who have given too much and to whom the future looks bleak - perhaps this is the right place to say - you are absolutely fine the way you are. Just stay.

Take some time to breathe.

Take some time to not think about anything much at all except breathing in and breathing out.

Take some time to build back up, not tear your yourself down.

For many, this month is a mountain that looks unclimbable.

Be kind, my friends. Always.

Donna Ashworth

06/10/2025

Would you know how to respond in an emergency?

Drivers are often first on the scene when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, meaning that knowing CPR could save a life.

If done effectively, it can more than double the chance of someone surviving a cardiac arrest, which is why from 2026 the theory test will include CPR and defibrillator questions.

As part of the changes, car and motorcycle theory test candidates will need to familiarise themselves with CPR techniques and how to use automated external defibrillators.

Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/2bNQ50X1ySt

17/08/2025

This applies to passing or failing driving tests too, there’s always another chance to pass 🙏🏻

Natalie Picton Therapeutic Counselling

Morning everyone 🌸

I’ve been a bit quiet here lately, it’s been a particularly busy time for all of our family. Hope you’re all doing well.

How many of you are waiting for or have received exam results, or are you supporting family members through this stressful time? With the A level results coming out last Thursday and GCSE’s this week it’s such an incredibly exciting but emotional time for students and their families. The definition of an emotional rollercoaster!

My youngest son had his results and has gotten into his university of choice thankfully. It’s been such an emotional time hoping he gets what he needs but also knowing he’s moving away from us. Not quite “empty nest” but you know what I mean.

We are thrilled for him but nervous for everything new that comes his way.

Hard being a parent eh?! Also difficult being the person who might be moving away from everything they know to a new, strange town meeting new people, trying to make friends and dealing with studies.

I really feel for people who didn’t get the results they’d hoped for. I’ve been there and I know that horrible sinking feeling but there was always another way through to where I needed to go. It doesn’t define who you are even though it really, really hurts.

So for everyone dealing with good and bad news, good luck with everything that comes your way and there’s always someone to listen and help you through this difficult and challenging time 🙏🏻

Thinking of all of you getting your A level results today 💙

Beautiful words from All on the Board

16/08/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️ First time pass ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Huge congratulations to Ryan English for passing his driving test 14/7/2025 with just 4 minor driving faults! 🤩 you’ve showed great commitment to lessons and your ability to self critique is incredible, but your skills as a human sat nav are amazing!

I’ll really miss our lessons Ryan, especially all the chats and laughs. It’s been a pleasure, thank you for learning with me and good luck with your new job next month 🥳🥳🥳

Natalie Picton Driving School
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