Learn to drive with Helen

12/05/2026

Changes to driving tests

As of today, Tuesday 12th May there are further changes to booking and managing a practical driving test.

To find out more, please use the link below

The rules for booking and managing car driving tests will change from spring 2026. Find out what the changes are and how they affect you.

05/05/2026

The day has arrived! This will be my tuition vehicle for the next 3 years, when I will be making the big decision as to whether to continue teaching manual or whether to make that jump, and start teaching automatic.

09/04/2026

We have all been enjoying the sunny days this week. I have noticed an increase of motorcyclists on our roads. Have you?

Read more about this in the latest blog

Make sure your bike is ready for the road before you go on your first proper ride of the year.

02/04/2026

Happy business birthday 🎂

I cant quiet believe, that at the weekend Learn To Drive With Helen celebrated 8 years in business. 🥳

Times have changed in the past 8 years, and with the new changes that have started with bookings and managing driving tests, there is more change to come.

However, my goal remains the same. To support other's, to educate other's, to enable them to be safe drivers on our very busy roads.

24/03/2026

What do we have here?

Well, we have a selection of essential oils that I use in the car 🚗 to help my anxious pupils.

💜Lavender - to help calm and soothe

💚Balance - to keep them grounded, feet on the floor

🧡Wild orange - to help those anxious feelings, lifting the mood, making them smile

💙Peppermint or Air - to wake them up, lifting the mood as well as to open the airways to help oxgenate the body.

Last week, I gave a pupil a couple of the Serenity softgels. It was a few days till her test, but she was starting to spiral with the test nerves. She mentioned how she slept well those nights, seemed more settled and the nerves didnt materialise into anymore like she was expecting 👍

The good news is ..... she gained a pass. First attempt and with only 3 driver faults 🥳

08/02/2026

Changes to driving test booking rules

The rules for booking practical car driving tests are changing to make the system fairer and more secure. These changes are part of the outcome of our consultation to improve the way driving tests are booked.

What's changing

From 31 March 2026 you and your pupils will only be able to change a car driving test up to 2 times (reduced from 6). This applies to all car driving tests booked by you or your pupils.

When this rule starts, everyone with a booked test will have 2 changes available, regardless of how many changes you've made before.

A change includes:

changing the date or time
changing the test centre
swapping a test between 2 of your learners
We’d encourage you to make sure your pupils only book their test when they’re ready to take it and in a location they can easily travel to.

07/02/2026

Feeling happy 😃

I have been helping a pupil for quiet some time. We adapted lessons to suit their learning style, which was fortnightly. Not something I have experienced before, but thats OK.

Both of us have worked hard to get him to be in a pkace where he feels happy & comfortable behind the wheel. Due to reasons, outside of our control, I won't be taking this pupil to test as he has booked a short intensive course with a test at the end of the course. We both feel that this method is the right method for him.

I wish him well & every success for the test. But didnt expect this lovely card

07/02/2026

Not entirely sure where January went! But it finished well with a zero fault pass 🥳
Congratulations to Oliver. He worked hard to gain this & even asked for extra lessons to ensure he felt comfortable with the test. Clearly, it paid off.

It makes me so proud when a pupil puts in the extra hours to ensure they get what they want & in this case, deserve.

Sadly, the next day, I have a serious fall & had to cancel lessons due to having concussion. So the month, didnt end quiet so well🙈 However, I am super lucky to have amazing pupils, who understood that I as unable to teach.
Pic of me in A&E waiting for assessment.

02/01/2026

Good Morning

I am returning back to work this morning after taking some time off to spend with friends & family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

I have opened the curtains to snow ❄️ well a good dusting. I am hoping the roads have been gritted sufficiently to enable me to carry out today's lessons with my learner drivers.

If you are on the roads, please ensure your car is road worthy, all levels have been checked, you have fuel etc. Do you know what to do if you loose control of the car?

"When your vehicle skids on ice, remain calm, ease off the accelerator (don't brake or accelerate hard), and gently steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding (turn into the skid) to help the tires regain traction, looking where you want to go, not at the obstacle. Apply light, steady braking only after the car begins to straighten out and grip returns."

30/12/2025

Report into the practical driving test & waiting times.

I'm a bit slow on reading 📚 reports etc. I'm usually busy teaching.

However, I always get round to reading them eventually. This report may or may not interest you. But hopefully it will give you an idea of where we are in the industry currently.

I have no idea what the answer is. As an instructor I too am as frustrated as are my pupils.

Failure to resolve the problem of long waiting times for car practical driving tests has exposed underlying issues at DVSA