Driving Lessons In Chester
"Welcome to the NRDS System (Nigel Richards Driving School), your ultimate path to becoming a confident and skilled driver!
Our carefully structured program includes 45 essential steps across four comprehensive stages, along with four practice exams. This proven approach maximizes your chances of acing the test on your first try!
Join us to navigate the road to success with ease and expert guidance in Chester."
NIGEL RICHARDS DRIVING SCHOOL
Experience our Driver Training System, refined over three decades and always evolving to incorporate the latest client-focused improvements. Our commitment to staying current ensures that every learner, just like you, is thoroughly prepared to meet today’s driving test standards with confidence at the Chester Driving Test Centre.
Driving Lessons
"Embarking on your driving journey with a well-crafted plan and a skilled instructor is key to success. Our driving school prides itself on offering this winning combination. Our expertly trained instructors equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently approach your driving test. With our guidance, you'll reach the Chester test centre not just prepared, but fully ready to excel."
The N.R.D.S Plan
Founded by Nigel, our school began with a simple yet effective system: an A4 piece of paper detailing 45 hours of tuition. This method has stood the test of time, evolving to meet the needs of modern learners while maintaining its core principles. Today, every NRDS instructor and student follows the renowned NRDS Plan that has taught two generations of drivers over the last 30 years.
Meet The Team
"Meet Our Team: Our driving school's success is rooted in our exceptional instructors, all trained by either Nigel or his accomplished former pupil, Nick Roberts and Jamie Pritchard. This ensures our high standards are consistently upheld across the team. As you embark on your driving journey with us, you'll experience the expertise and dedication that define our school.
Call us on 01244917654 to get booked in to our available slots
Peace of mind
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Male or Female Instructors
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Essential Tips for Driving in Chester
Mastering Chester’s Historic Roads
Driving through Chester’s narrow, cobbled streets, especially around The Rows and Eastgate Clock, can be tricky for learners. The tight corners, limited visibility, and heavy pedestrian footfall mean you’ll need strong clutch control and awareness. To build confidence, start practising these roads during quieter times, gradually working up to busier hours. This will help improve your ability to navigate slow-moving traffic safely and smoothly.
Conquering Chester’s Busy Roundabouts
Chester has several challenging roundabouts, particularly along the A55 near Hoole and Grosvenor Bridge—both of which frequently feature on test routes. Working with your instructor, you’ll practise lane positioning, judging traffic flow, and making smooth exits. Regular exposure to these roundabouts will make them feel more natural, even during peak traffic times.
Gaining Confidence on Dual Carriageways
The A41 and A483 offer ideal conditions to develop your high-speed driving skills. Learning how to merge safely, maintain the correct speed, and overtake confidently will prepare you for independent driving after passing your test. Your instructor will guide you through these faster roads, helping you feel secure and in control at higher speeds.
🔵 Book Your Driving Lessons in Chester Today!
📞 Call us at 01234 567890 or Book Online Now to start your journey to driving confidence with NRDS!
Taking the Car Driving Test in Chester
Preparing for your car driving test in Chester is an exciting step towards gaining your full driving licence and enjoying the freedom of the road. Chester, with its mix of urban and rural roads, offers a comprehensive environment for learning to drive and taking and passing your test.
Test Centre
Chester Driving Test Centre Unit 16, Dunkirk Trading Estate, Telford Court, Gates Ln, Chester CH1 6LT and provides all the necessary facilities for candidates. We will familiarize you with its location and plan your journey so you arrive relaxed and on time.
Pre-Test Preparation
A significant part of passing your driving test in Chester is thorough preparation. Enrolling in a reputable driving school can provide you with the structured lessons and expert guidance you need. Our driving lessons in Chester are tailored to meet the needs of both beginners and those who need to brush up on their skills. With our experienced instructors, you’ll practice on a variety of roads, including busy town centers, residential areas, and rural lanes, ensuring you’re well-prepared for any situation.
Key Areas of Focus
- Manoeuvres: Mastering manoeuvres such as parallel parking, bay parking, and three-point turns is essential. Our lessons provide ample practice for these skills.
- Independent Driving: During the Chester Driving test, you'll be required to drive independently for about 20 minutes, either following sat nav directions or traffic signs. Practicing this with your instructor can boost your confidence.
- Road Types: Chester offers a mix of road types. You'll practice on dual carriageways, residential streets, and rural roads, giving you a well-rounded driving experience. A real city and rural driving experience.
On the Test Day
On the day of your test, make sure to bring your provisional license and arrive at least 10 minutes early. Your test will start with an eyesight check and then proceed to the driving section, which lasts around 40 minutes.
Remember, nerves are normal. Our Male and Female instructors in Chester will have prepared you to handle them and perform to the best of your ability. And Chester is a great place to take your driving test so don't be worried! Our Chester driving instructors are fully prepared to deal with pre test nerves and get you to the test centre in the best frame of mind.
Why Choose Nigel Richards Driving School in Chester?
- Local Expertise: Our instructors possess in-depth knowledge of Chester's diverse road types, from bustling urban centers to serene rural lanes. This familiarity ensures you're well-prepared for the specific challenges of the Chester driving test routes.
- Comprehensive Preparation: We offer tailored lessons that cover all essential driving skills, including navigating complex roundabouts like Hoole Roundabout and handling high-speed roads such as the A55. Our goal is to equip you with the confidence and competence to excel in your driving test.
Reasons to Learn With NRDS?
You will learn from a trademarked system developed over 30 years and two generations
You will know where you are at on your journey to test pass with every lesson logged on NRDS Plan.
Plenty of choice of cars and highly trained instructors, many are ex pupils of Nigels!
Driving Instructors Training Courses Available
Better work/life balance
Work when YOU want to work
No Holiday "Applications"
Never "Apply" For Another Holiday
Train around your current job
We train you around your employment
1:1 Training on all modules
All our training is One to One Ratio in Chester
All Materials Provided
Everything you need delivered to YOU!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you haven't driven before and will not be able to have any private practice in between your lessons then it takes about 45 hours of tuition to get to the driving test standard in Chester.
This can vary greatly from person to person and in my experience the younger the person is the quicker they learn. So another good guide is 2 hours for every year of your age.
The test centre is located at
Unit 16, Dunkirk Trading Estate, Telford Court, Gates Ln, Chester CH1 6LT
And the telephone number is Phone: 01244 323752
The driving test is now much more of a "Driving Test" as the manoeuvres elemnt has been changed quite significantly from what is was years ago.
The three point turn and left reverse are now not included.
The Emergency Stop is not a compulsory exercise on every test but it is tested on 1 in 3 tests.
Candidates are asked to perform ONE reversing exercise from four possible ones. They are:
Parallel Parking
Drive into a parking bay and reverse out
Reverse into a parking bay
Pull over on right side of the road and reverse back two car lengths before re-joining the traffic.
There is also 20 minutes of "Independent driving" where the candidate has to follow a Sat Nav of follow signs for somewhere.
You are allowed to commit up to 15 minor driving errors on the test. If you get over 15 then it would result in a fail.
Or if you commit one major error then you automatically fail.
A major error is something that "Could have or Did affect another road user"
When taking driving lessons in Shrewsbury, it's generally advised to schedule at least one two-hour session each week. This consistent frequency aids in retaining information and developing driving skills effectively. However, for those facing budget constraints, some instructors recommend opting for two-hour lessons every fortnight as a feasible alternative. This approach balances financial considerations while ensuring steady progress in learning to drive.
In recent years the driving test has changed to represent a more realistic "Driving Test" rather than more of a manoeuvring style test of previous generations.
The three point turn and the left reverse are no longer included.
But there are four reversing exercises of which you will do just ONE.
They are:
Drive forwards into a parking bay and reverse out.
Reverse Park behind a car on the road.
Pull over on Right hand side of the road and reverse back 2 car lengths before re-joining the traffic.
Reverse park into a parking bay
Often the Reverse bay parking is done in the Chester Driving Test Centre at the beginning or end of the Driving Test.
The theory test can be taken before you start or during your driving lessons but you do have to pass the theory test before you can apply for the practical driving test in Chester.
It is designed to assess your understanding of the rules of the road and your ability to recognize potential hazards while driving. The test is divided into two main sections:
1. Multiple-Choice Questions
- Number of Questions: The multiple-choice section consists of 50 questions.
- Content: Questions cover a wide range of topics including road signs, speed limits, vehicle handling, and the Highway Code. There are also questions related to road safety and environmental issues.
- Time Limit: You will have 57 minutes to complete this part of the test.
- Pass Mark: To pass the multiple-choice section, you need to correctly answer at least 43 out of 50 questions.
- Special Features: The test is taken on a computer, and you go back and forth between questions. You also have the option to flag questions if you are not sure and go back later.
2. Hazard Perception Test
- Number of Video Clips: The hazard perception section consists of 14 video clips, each lasting about one minute.
- Content: The clips feature various driving scenarios filmed from a driver’s perspective. These include urban streets, rural roads, and motorways.
- Task: Your task is to identify developing hazards as they occur. A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, such as changing speed or direction.
- Scoring: Each clip contains at least one developing hazard, and one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. The earlier you identify a hazard, the higher your score for that clip. The maximum score for each hazard is 5 points.
- Pass Mark: To pass the hazard perception test, you need to score at least 44 out of 75 points.
Additional Information
- Location: Theory tests are conducted at designated test centers throughout the UK. You can find and book a test center through the official DVSA website.
- Preparation: There are various resources available to help you prepare for the theory test, including official DVSA practice materials, apps, and online courses.
- Language Support: The theory test is available in English and Welsh. If you have special requirements, such as needing an interpreter or additional support due to a disability, you can request accommodations when booking your test.
- Retake Policy: If you do not pass the theory test, you must wait at least three working days before you can retake it. You can book a retake as soon as you receive your test results.
Understanding the format and requirements of the theory test, you can better prepare and increase your chances of passing on the first attempt and also prepare you for the Practical Driving Test in Chester
4o
It's important to bring your provisional driving licence to your first lesson. Also, wear comfortable, flat-soled shoes and bring any corrective lenses if you need them for driving.
The Chester test routes extend from the test centre near Dunkirk Roundabout as far Queensferry to the West and Ellesmere Port to the Right. You could also find yourself going North as far as Two Mills traffic lights. There is a good area that can be covered and we have all our pupils prepared for every eventuality.
There are many good driving schools in Chester and some may be more ideally suited to you than others.
Quails Driving School and Chester Driving School are amongst the most popular.
Your best way of choosing is to call them all up and chat. Ask questions like do you have a plan for your tuition?
How will my progress be recorded?
What is your pass rate?
How soon can you start me or do you have a waiting list?
Asking these questions will give you a really good idea which school is suited to you.
We often hear this question when people call us to start lessons. So here are the pros and cons.
If you pass in a manual you can drive manual or automatic.
If you pass in an automatic you can only drive and automatic. But you can then take a manual test later if you wish to upgrade. Or down grade which ever way you see it!
Its easier to learn in an automatic. You just use one foot to press either the brake or the accelerator to stop of go. No stalling.
Its harder in a manual as you have to master the fine control of the clutch and you can stall the engine easily.
Which ever you decide we can teach you. Manual or automatic Nigel Richards Driving School can get you through the driving test in Chester.
Looking for driving lessons in Chester with a female instructor? We’ve got you covered! Our experienced female driving instructor provides a patient, friendly, and professional learning environment, helping you gain confidence on the road. Whether you're just starting out or need extra support to pass your test, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
