Should You Get Refresher Driving Lessons? Everything to Know

Does the thought of driving make you anxious? Maybe you haven’t driven for over a decade, and need to get back up to speed? Whatever your age and no matter how long you’ve held a licence, a refresher driving course could help you get back on the road.

There are lots of reasons why people need to take refresher driving lessons, so you should never feel embarrassed about getting extra tuition. To help you decide if a refresher course is right for you, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide, covering everything you need to know about refresher driving lessons.

Quick Links

• What are Refresher Driving Lessons?
• How Many Refresher Driving Lessons Should You Take?
• What’s Included in Refresher Driving Lessons?
• Who Should Take Refresher Driving Lessons?
• How Do I Find Refresher Driving Courses and How Much Do They Cost?

What are Refresher Driving Lessons?

Refresher driving lessons are optional lessons you can take to improve your driving skills and gain confidence out on the road. There are several reasons why you might wish to take refresher driving lessons, including:

• You’ve recently started driving again after years without access to a car, so are looking to get back up-to-speed
• You’re a new driver but lack confidence on the road, so you need further practice and assurance before going solo
• You’ve had an accident while driving and want to regain your confidence
• You want to build your experience of driving in certain situations, e.g. motorway or night-time driving
• You’ve been prosecuted for speeding or dangerous driving by the police, who have recommended you take a refresher course to relearn road safety
• You want to learn how to tow a trailer or caravan safely

Whatever your reasons for taking refresher driving lessons, gaining skills and confidence in this type of environment is much safer than the alternative, and will you give you the assurance and experience you need to become a good driver for life.

How Many Refresher Driving Lessons Should You Take?

There’s no right or wrong answer here; as many as you need to improve your skills and gain the confidence you’re looking for.

We would say, however, that the number of refresher driving lessons you need will depend on what you’re hoping to get from them. For example, if you just want a reintroduction to the basics of driving, one or two lessons may suffice. If however, you’re looking to build skills and experience, say in motorway driving, you may need five or more lessons depending on your skill level.

Because there’s no practical test at the end of it, it’s down to you how many lessons you take, not your instructor. They’ll work around your requirements, so be clear about what you’re hoping to achieve.

What’s Included in Refresher Driving Lessons?

Refresher driving lessons are similar to normal lessons, without the pressure of a practical test at the end. However, your instructor is there less to coach you and more to offer help and advice when you need it. After all, you’ve passed your test, so the rest is just gaining experience and confidence.

As we touched on earlier, your instructor will be happy to listen to your requirements, tailoring the course to suit your goals. You can cover anything you feel you need more experience in, including:

• Motorway driving
• Parking (especially the dreaded parallel park)
• Dealing with confusing junctions
• Driving at night
• Driving an automatic car
• Building confidence
• Becoming more speed aware

Essentially there’s no limit to what you can choose to learn as part of a refresher driving lesson. From everyday driving to basic things like refuelling (something rarely taught while learning to drive); it’s your time to gain the skills you need to become a better, more confident driver.

Who Should Take Refresher Driving Lessons?

Whether you’ve had a driving licence for 10 months or 10 years, drivers of all ages and skill levels can benefit from refresher lessons. If you feel nervous about driving and want to build your confidence, or you’re tired of avoiding motorways and want to gain this vital motoring skill – a refresher driving lesson could help get you there.

Remember, a refresher driving course is suitable for:

• Any age – whether you’re 17 or 79, a refresher course could help improve your driving.
• Any ability – even if you’re a decent driver, a refresher course could help you improve in certain situations, like motorway driving.
• Any car – the great thing about a refresher lesson is that you can do it in your own car; this is great if you want to familiarise yourself with the controls in the company of an instructor. Of course, there’s also the option to complete a course in your instructor’s car, which means improved safety.

How Do I Find Refresher Driving Courses and How Much Do They Cost?

Finding refresher driving lessons is easy, and you have a couple of options on where to start your search:

• Use your original instructor – chances are, the instructor who got you through your test offers refresher lessons, so if you were happy with their tutorage (and can remember their name) they’re a good place to start.
• gov.uk – the easiest way to find an instructor is through the Gov.uk portal. It lets you search and compare DVSA-approved instructors in your local area.
• Ask your employer – are you required to drive for work? Then ask your employer if they can arrange a refresher driving course for you; they may cover all or some of the cost if they deem it essential.

The cost of refresher driving lessons varies, but you can expect to pay a similar hourly rate to standard driving lessons. You may also have the option to book lessons in bulk, which can lower the overall price. Talk to your selected driving instructor for a tailored quote.

We hope this guide helps you get back in the driving seat. Remember, Holts DIY car maintenance range is a trusted companion for you and your car, giving peace of mind behind the wheel. For more information, visit the homepage.