New Car For 2026
Its time to retire the Ford Fiesta and move on. I’ve chosen to go with Skoda for a change. The new car will be a Skoda Fabia SE L Edition in Blue. It should arrive at the end of January 2026 ready for action.
Lesson Length – Change Of Offered Services
Change to Services Offered.
From today we will not be offering a 1hr lesson on our online booking system until further notice.
Looking at how students learn in the early stages of lessons it can be seen that they need to ensure enough time behind the wheel to practice what they have been briefed on. With 1hr lessons in the very early stages, this is difficult to achieve.
On a first lesson the student needs to be driven to a suitable practice location. This could be upto 15mins drive away from there home pickup. They then need briefing on the lesson they are about to have, and then have time to practice. Depending on the lesson the briefing may be 5 to 10 mins, with 15 mins to drive home again after the lesson (This driver would not be safe to drive in this scenario), that leaves only 20mins for any practice.
We are not going to be stopping delivering 1hr lessons, as these are suitable for drivers who are at the trained stage and almost ready for test.
Moving forward, to book 1hr lessons, it will need to be an agreement between the instructor and the student based on their current ability.
We currently advise all new drivers to book a 2hr lesson for their first session so we can establish a baseline for future lessons and allow them more time practicing on their first lesson.
We feel that 1.5hrs are a better option with 2.0hrs being the best option when first starting to learn.
Hope this explains why this has changed.
We will constantly review this change and may may make further changes should we need to: to ensure that students are getting the best value for money.
If you feel these changes are going to impact your lessons, then please discuss this with us when you attend your next lesson.
Current Bad Weather Jan 5/6th
We are currently in a state of “Bad Weather”. Snow and Ice to be more accurate. Due to this, driving lessons and/or driving tests may be changed or cancelled. Please keep an eye on your phones in case you receive a message from either me or the DVSA. Regards Andrew
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2025!
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and took full advantage of the well-deserved break from the daily routine.
As we embark on this exciting new year, it’s the perfect time to start working towards your goal of becoming a qualified driver. With only 357 days until next Christmas, there’s no better moment to begin your journey!
A heartfelt congratulations to all my students who successfully passed their driving tests in 2024 : I’m incredibly proud of your achievements. For those preparing for their tests in the coming months, I wish you the very best of luck.
If you’re ready to start your driving lessons, have a provisional license, and are eager to get behind the wheel, I’d be delighted to help. We currently offer driving lessons in the Darwen and Blackburn areas, tailoring each lesson to suit your unique learning style.
Here’s what we provide:
- Flexible lesson durations to fit your schedule.
- Block booking vouchers for added convenience and savings.
- Online booking for complete control over your lesson times.
- One-on-one instruction in a calm, relaxed, and supportive environment.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, please visit our website to get started. Let’s make 2025 the year you achieve your driving goals!
I Passed my IAM Roadsmart Test
I decided to update my skills by re-doing my Advanced Driving Test again. (Its 10+ years since I previously did it). It used to be a Pass/Fail result, but now its possible to either Pass, Fail of achieve a F1RST, which Im glad to say I did.
This test is taken in your own car and conducted by a certified I.A.M Examiner. The test its self lasts about an hour with a ten minute brief at the start and also at the end.
You start the test by explaining your vehicle checks before getting in the car and completing a comprehensive cockpit check. For example this includes a static brake check and a check of all the instrument lights.
Once you set off you are expected to drive the car whilst ensuring you drive to the “System Of Car Control” as dictated by “Roadcraft” – The Police Drivers Handbook. This system ensures that Hazards are dealt with in a systematic fashion and nothing is left to chance.
During the drive you are also expected to carry out a Commentary (if you want to achieve a 1st). This is verbalising how you are applying this system as you drive, which hazards you are spotting, any observation links and how you are planning to deal with them.
The route you are taken on comprises of Busy town roads, High Speed Limit Country Roads, Complex Junctions and also a section of Motorway driving. I was also asked to carry out a reversing exercise as part of my test.
At the end of the test you are given a full debrief of how you performed during the drive and also a written report with your result.
For each compitancy that is tested, you are graded between 1 and 3, with 1 being the best and 3 needing development.
If you are interested in taking an advanced driving qualification, then please get in touch as I can point you in the right direction.
Below is a copy of my test sheet and result.
XMAS Holidays 24
Christmas Opening Hours 2024/2025
We will be closed on the following dates :
2024 – December 23rd – December 31st
2025 – January 1st – January 2rd
How We Are Dealing With A Busy Waiting List
Just another quick post about lesson and booking conditions.
I am posting this, as recently I have contacted quite a few new students about open slots, sent them details to book in, and then they havnt booked in. This causes us issues with our diary management and prevents others getting off the waiting list, so this is what we do to deal with the waiting list.
We are extremly Busy at the moment, and as you may appreciate we have a long waiting list of students desperate to get learning. Some have been waiting more than 3 Months.
We are still running at Maximum capacity and trying desperately to get new students into the driving seat from our waiting list.
Our intake process is to to evaulate the availability indicated from you on your contact enquiry and check against our diary slots. If we manage to find availability, we contact you straight away to offer you a chance at booking into the diary on those available slots.
We will advise you via SMS there is availability as soon as we can
You need either, : Tell us you no longer need our services (You may have found another instructor whilst you waited on our list), or agree to start booking your lessons in.
If we get no reply from you at this stage, your details are removed from our waiting list and you will no longer be contacted by us with regard to lessons.
If you are ready to book you will be sent login details to allow you to book. These will ONLY be valid for 7 days.
If you do not make a booking within this time, your details will be removed from our system and you will not be able to make any bookings.
We can only have a finite number of active students on our system at any one time. Therfore the following also applies to students taking lessons.
If lessons are not taken at regular intervals (at least 1 lesson in every 4 weeks) then your account will be marked as inactive and you will not be able to make further lesson bookings. Your inactive account will therefor become available to the next person on the waiting list.
Block Booking Vouchers.
Our block booking vouchers work much the same way as a concert ticket, in that they have an end date and are non refundable.
When you buy a voucher you will be given the number of sessions on that voucher. The voucher sessions need to be taken with the validity period of the voucher (5 Months from date of purchase). Any sessions not taken with this period become null and void and you will lose them.
During this very busy time,
WE WILL NOT HOLD YOUR SLOT OPEN. We have people dedicated to learning who need the slots, and they will be given them if you are not using them.
To See the full booking conditions, click this link. https://www.darwendt.com/booking-information/
To see the current waiting list, click this link. https://www.darwendt.com/current-waiting-list/
Lesson Booking Rules
*** Important info. ***
We are currently running at full capacity with regard to student numbers on our books. With this in mind, we will be enforcing the following : [You will have this received this paragraph below, in the text you were sent with your login details. The full terms can be found by clicking the link]
*The login details will stay active for 7 days to allow you to make a booking. If no bookings are made within this time, the account will be closed. For full information on bookings, please view this link. https://www.darwendt.com/booking-information/ <– Please Read This Its Important….*
IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SENT LOGIN DETAILS, you have told us your are ready to start booking in your lessons. Your account has been setup and you are given 7 days to allow you to do this. If you fail to book lessons onto our system within this time, the login details and account that was created will be removed from our system and the next person on the waiting list will be offered your place.
IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE LESSONS BOOKED IN. Lessons need to be taken at regular intervals (At least one in every 4 week period). Unless otherwise arranged directly with us, if lessons are not taken as above, then your account may be closed and your place offered to the next person on the waiting list.
In this very busy period, we are not able to hold spaces open in the diary. This is the fairest way to allocate available spaces.
XMAS Promotion
Our Christmas promotion code goes active.
To see our promotion code and book your discounted block booking, login to your account now.
Our promotion is available between 23/11/23 and 23/12/23 and applies to our block booking vouchers only.
Mock Driving Tests
We are currently offering this service. This is what the DVSA say about why a Mock Driving Test is a good idea. Click the link to read about it. Mock Driving Tests
All our current clients will automatically take Mock Driving Test as they go through their learning with us. We do this to help them prepare for the pressure and nerves on the day.
If you are taking lessons with another instructor, or maybe doing private lessons with a supervisor and wish to see if you are ready to take your Practical Driving Test, then why not contact us and get booked in for one of our “Mock Test” sessions.
We will conduct in the same way the real test will be conducted. Your results will be recorded on the current DL25 document. The test will be carried out in our dual control vehicle (Currently a Ford Fiesta – Manual). [We cannot carry out tests in your vehicle]
The “Test Route” will contain the necessary types of roads, junctions and other hazards you will be expected to deal with on the real test. These may vary depending on the location of the test start point.
The Mock Test session will be a 2hr session in total. We will pick you up at the arranged location and drive you a short distance to where the test will start. We will make you familiar with any car controls that may be different from the car you have taken your lessons in. Once you are happy you understand our car specifics, then the test can start.
We will conduct a license check and an eyesight check (So bring your license with you)
The test will last around 40mins. At the end you will be given the result and a full explanation of any faults commited during the test.
We will also offer help on how to rectify any mistakes to aid in your learning
You will then be driven back to your pickup point.
To book a Mock Test session, in the first instance please contact us by Email or SMS, providing us with your Name, Address and Mobile Phone Number. We will then contact you to arrange the session.
August Bank Holiday PROMO
August Bank Holiday Promotion Code.
I have a discount code available that is valid for one day only.
On MONDAY 28th AUG 2023 there will be a discount code that becomes active/goes live. It will be active for the entire day ONLY.
The discount code can be applied to the following purchases.
10hr block Voucher (5 x 2hr)
7.5hr block voucher (5 x 1.5hr)
To get the code, you need to login to my website where you will find it under your home page.
To use the code – Select one of the block vouchers in the “Buy Voucher” section of the website, and enter you code when completing your payment. THIS WILL ONLY WORK ON THE 28th
Happy Bank Holiday.
Andrew.
Short Notice Driving Test Cover Requests.
* Non Customer Short Notice Driving Test Coverage Requests*
Im just posting this update, as currently I am getting a high number of enquiries from around the uk, asking me to “Cover My Driving Test”.
Let me explain the situation and our stance on this.
The whole country is currently experiencing long delays getting driving tests from the DVSA. This is because of the backlog that was caused when COVID hit. Although the DVSA have said it is addressing the issue, the waiting time for driving tests does not seem to be improving much and continues to cause frustration for all learner drivers needing to pass.
Due to this issue and the general public needing to get driving: people are trying to book tests wherever they may find one, either outside their area or by using mobile phone apps to find cancellations and last minute test slots. This usually means that they need a car to use for the test, or need a new/different instructor to take them for the test, as it is outside the area they live, or their current instructor cant/wont or doesnt cover the place booked.
At least twice a week I am receiving calls of this nature.
“Hi, Im ringing you as I have a test booked for next week and my instructor has let me down / fallen ill / his car is broken / cant / wont take me for my test / says Im not ready for my test……………….etc”, “Can you take me?, I only need one or two lessons before and the use of your car for the test as I can drive and I just need to learn the area?”.
Trust me. When I get these phone calls, I understand your desparation and frustration, and I dont like having to disappoint anybody.
I have been an Instructor a long time now, and as you can imagine have heard all sorts of things from students about their driving and other instructors they have had, so I always take what I hear with a pinch of salt and assess my student and form my own opinion of their driving standards.
Assessing somebodys driving cannot be done in “one or two hours”. To make proper assesments we need to see the student driving in all sorts of different traffic, road and weather conditions. This takes time and many hours…….
As an approved DVSA instructor, we agree to criteria to stay on the register of Approved instructors. One of the criteria is that we agree to be continually assessed and monitored with regard to our standard as an instructor. The way the DVSA conduct this, is by recording all the driving test information collected during a students driving test and linking this to our information. ie. how the student performs on a test has a direct link to how the DVSA views our standards as instructors. Together with this information we are also subject to be tested randomly by having our driving lessons watched and recorded. (This is called a STANDARDS CHECK). The results from all this can determin if we can stay on the register of approved instructors or not. ie. Can we keep our job!!
We also agree to teach a complete sylabus and ensure that the students we present for their driving test are of a high enough standard and are safe to be presented for the test.
You can also imagine the risk the examiners take everyday. They have no idea as to the candidates skill level when they get in the car with them!.
My job as an instructor is to ensure the person I teach is given a skill for life, and that skill is to be a safe and compitent driver.
This is the service we provide. Training from what ever level you are currently at, to a competent and safe driver, over however many hours that takes.
A service WE DO NOT PROVIDE is : “A couple of lessons and the use of our car for a driving test, because your current instructor cant help you with the one you have booked”
The reasons we dont offer this service are as follows:
1. We cant assess your driving in a small number of hours.
2. We are not risking the safety of anybody on an unknow variable
3. Our car IS our main business tool and we are not risking its safety
4. We have committed our time and resources to our existing customers – They are our priority.
5. Your test result can directly effect our job as an instructor.
If you are not currently a customer and wish to use our services to help you prepare for your driving test, you need to add yourself to our waiting list and go through our assessment process. There are no shortcuts to this.
Hope this explains why we have to say no.
Learning To Drive – Current Climate
March 28th 2023.
As things stand at the moment, getting a Theory or Practical test is very difficult. Due to the backlog from Covid-19, Strike Action and Bad weather, Practical Driving Tests are currently booking in September 2023.
It is really important that when you think about starting driving lessons then you also start to learn your driving theory. With the DVSA system (The people who conduct the tests) you need to have passed the Theory before you can book a Practical test.
When you start your driving lessons your instructor (Me), will be encouraging you to Study and Pass your Theory test as we know it is currently many months waiting time for a test. Learning the theory will also help you when you do your practical lessons.
At the moment, because of the long waiting time for practical tests I may advise you to book a practical test once you have passed your theory test (even though you may not be ready to currently take it) on the understanding that you will continue with the same regular lessons and work towards the practical test date. YOU MAY NEED TO MOVE THIS DATE SHOULD YOU NOT REACH TEST STANDARD.
The Order to do things.
- Obtain Your Provisional License
- Start To Learn Your Theory (Books and Apps are freely available to help with this)
- Book your practical lessons and start to learn Driving On The Road
- Only When your instructor advises – Book A Practical Test.
- Continue with regular lessons
- Private practice if possible (This gives you more road time experince)
- Do Mock Test(s) with your instructor
- Goto Number 4.
You will need to move the date of your Driving test back should you not be at the required standard. Your instructor (Me) will let you know if this needs to happen.
Darwen Driver Training – Our Rules For Taking A Test Using Our Training Car.
As registered instructors we agreed to obide by a code of conduct enforced by the DVSA.
We agree to train drivers to the required standard and maintain a safe learning environment.
We have a responcibility to keep our pupils safe, other road users safe and also not put any examiner at risk by presenting students for test that do not meet the required standards.
You will only be allowed to take your Practical Test using our training car if:
- You have conducted all elements of our training sylabus
- You can drive “Completly Independantly” ie “No help or prompting from the instructor”
- You can drive consistantly without commiting any serious or dangerous faults
- You have passed our Mock Driving Test assesments.
If you do not meet the above requirements you will not be allowed to use our car for the Practical driving test.
You will need to reschedule your Practical Test Date if your instructor asks you to.
Please understand that we do not like having to ask students to move their test date back as it can be dissapointing and cause them further delays in gaining their full license. Other things to consider when wanting to take your practical test : The DVSA test fee is currently £62. The two hour test session is currently £68. The waiting time for another test should you fail is currently greater than 6 months. You would need to continue taking regular lessons during this time to maintain driving standard and work on faults you commited causing the failed test.
Our Conclusion
Only Book Your Practical Test When Advised To By Us
Be Prepared to Move The Date Should We Ask You To
Only Take The Test is you feel 110% Ready
New Teaching Car Arrived 26/01/2023
Ford Fiesta 1.0ltr Ecoboost mHEV 125ps – Titanium – 6 speed Manual
- LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Integrated fog lamp
- Ford SYNC 3 Navigation with 8” touchscreen, DAB radio, Emergency Assistance, Apple Carplay & Android Auto, 2 x USB & 6 speakers, & FordPass Connect
- Cruise Control inc. Adjustable Speed Limiter & Intelligent Speed Assist
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam & Driver Alert
Break In Service
CURRENT STATUS – OPERATIONAL
Service Update. (Outage).
Services affected – Website Access, Ability To Book, Abiity to Contact, Ability to download content.
Wednesday 21st September @ 23:35 – Website Down – Cause (Virgin Media Fault In Area)
Tuesday 27th September @ 7:00am – Website Operational – (Virgin Fault Rectified)
After more than 5 days in internet and website darkness thanks to the slow service from Virgin media, I can now say that “At the moment we are back on line and customers can now access the website as normal”.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you in booking lessons or downloading important information.
Andrew.
New Tuition Vehicle Ordered :-)
Arriving in Jan 2023
WhatsApp Important Update Broadcast Group Now ACTIVE
From time to time we need to output updates to all our current customers. These may be Business operational changes, service disruptions or even special offers on last min lesson bookings. One of the best ways of doing this is by use of the ‘WhatsApp’ application. Almost 99% of mobile phone users have this app installed or have a compatible handset. This app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Just head over to the app store for your device to download it.
If you wish to recieve these updates please ensure you have the App installed on your device and as an active customer you will receive these updates. If you dont wish to receive them, please message us and we can remove your number from our broadcasted updates.
DVSA Covid-19 Update
 Driver testing services – lifting of COVID-19 driving test restrictions |
| We are lifting COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in England from Tuesday 1 March in line with the government announcement that English restrictions ended on 24 February. The changes in England are: • face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners • driving tests will no longer end early unless the candidate’s driving is so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users – in line with the pre-COVID-19 policy • instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests • you no longer have to self isolate if you have COVID-19, but we encourage you to rearrange your test if you feel unwell for any reason You need to make your pupils aware of these forthcoming changes, especially if you have made their practical test booking for them. The current driving and theory tests safety measures in Scotland and Wales remain in place and we will let you know of any changes. DVSA guidance on GOV.UK will be updated shortly. Face coverings: Your pupil will have personal choice on whether they want to wear a face covering on their driving or theory test from 1 March in England.Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 1 March. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils. Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish. Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in England. Ending driving tests early: From 1 March, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early and they can continue after a candidate has committed a serious or dangerous fault to give them the full-test experience. Tests will only be terminated early if the driving examiner assesses that the candidate’s driving is so poor it risks their safety and that of other road users. This is in line with our pre-COVID-19 policy. ADIs sitting in on tests: We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 1 March. This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to:sit in the back of the car during the test be with them for the result and feedbackADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests The lifting of restrictions for wearing face coverings on tests from 1 March also includes ADI part 2 tests and ADI standards checks. Standards checks will continue to last for 40 minutes. Clean vehicles: We will no longer be cancelling driving tests if the inside of a vehicle is not clean. However, we continue to encourage you to clean and tidy the inside of your vehicle when presenting it for a driving test in line with good hygiene. It will be optional for examiners to wipe down surfaces in test vehicles or ventilate these vehicles during tests. Pupils testing positive for COVID-19: We encourage candidates testing positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days before their driving test not to attend their test to reduce the spread of the virus. You or your pupil should email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange their test. You or your pupil will need to include the following information in the email:their driving licence number, their driving test booking reference number. We will then contact you or your pupil to help rearrange the test. Your pupil will not have to pay again. Taking rapid lateral flow tests Until 1 April, we continue to ask your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home. Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test. Thank you for your support: We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry. The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement. We want to thank you for taking the necessary action to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and protect our colleagues. |
Updates
Lesson Prices – Lesson Prices Being Changed From May 1st 2022.
Unfortunately due to a continual increases in business running costs, I have had to make a small increase to my prices. Prices can be found on my “Prices” Webpage. Block bookings and voucher structure will also be changed from this date. (26/04/22 – Andrew)
Face Masks During Lessons & On Driving Tests.
As Covid rules start to relax around the country, it has been decided that Face Masks are no longer a requirement during driving lessons. However, it is still recommended that they be worn in confined spaces where there is significantly more risk of the virus spreading. Face Coverings are STILL REQUIRED for your driving test and whilst on the DVSA premises. Candidates arriving for test NOT wearing a mask can still be refused a test and your test fee will be lost.
New Highway Code Changes.
By now as a responsible driver/rider/pedestrian you will be aware that there have been some recent updates the highway code. These latest changes have altered priorities and responsibility between Pedestrians, Cyclist and Other road users, at Junctions etc. Please make yourself familiar with these changes. They came into effect at the end of this month (Jan 22)
Updated Rules On Face Covering
As you can see below, the rules have changed in regard to wearing a face covering. This is taken from the GOV.UK website.
From this point in time, until further notice YOU WILL NEED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING when on a driving lesson or during a test.
Rules on face coverings are being updated in England
The public and staff in public facing areas will be required to wear face coverings in these settings from 4am on 30 November 2021:
- shops and supermarkets (places that offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)
- shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)
- auction houses
- post offices, banks, building societies, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses
- estate and letting agents
- premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (barbers, hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, nail salons and massage centres)
- pharmacies
- premises providing veterinary services
- retail galleries
- retail travel agents
- takeaways without space for consumption of food or drink on premises
- public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams, buses, coaches and ferries), taxis and private hire vehicles
- transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)
- any car or small van during a professionally delivered driving lesson and practical driving test
- during all HGV lessons and tests, during all professional driving lessons and formal driving tests, and during any practical test for giving driving instruction
Updated guidance will be published soon.
Christmas Hours
AMC School of motoring will be closed for Lessons and Driving Tests between the following dates.
Closed : Friday 24th Dec – Sunday 2nd January
Your Driving Test Appointment (Cancelled?)
If you currently have your driving test booked, please ensure that you keep an eye out for Messages or Emails from the DVSA in regards to your appointment.
Unfortunately in our area at the moment there seems to be a big increase in Driving test appointments being changed or rescheduled by the DVSA. This is usually due to the “Examiner no longer available”.
Read MoreLesson Booking Information
Since launching the updated website, there have been a few changes to the booking system.
- Access to the booking page
- Payment For Pre Arranged Lessons
Access to the booking system.
Read More