Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to start my tuition?...
You need to be 17 years old to start learning to drive and must hold a valid provisional licence before you take your first driving lesson. You will need to bring BOTH parts of your licence (Plastic licence and paper counterpart) to your first lesson where the Instructor will check them for you eligibility and then also do a standard eye sight test (you must be able to read a car number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters (old style number plates) or 20 meters if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC.)
How do I apply for my Provisional Licence?...
You can apply for your provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th Birthday. To apply for your provisional license, you can complete a D1 form from the post office and send it to the DVLA with your passport or birth certificate, and a passport-sized photo. You can also apply online (Link on 'Useful Links' page.)
Can I get picked up from work?...
Yes as long as you tell your instructor in advance and it is inside the working area (e.g. Preston is ok but Leeds is a bit far!!!).
Why are 2 hour lessons more effective then 2x1 hour lessons?...
Its quite simple really you only have to have one recap in a 2 hour lesson instead of 2 in 2 1 hour lessons also lots of time we have to travel to practice certain topics and to get the correct settings in order for you to learn that subject. So if you have a 2 hour lesson you only travel their once and can spend longer getting it right. For more info please click here
What do I need to start my tuition?...
You need to be 17 years old to start learning to drive and must hold a valid provisional licence before you take your first driving lesson. You will need to bring BOTH parts of your licence (Plastic licence and paper counterpart) to your first lesson where the Instructor will check them for you eligibility and then also do a standard eye sight test (you must be able to read a car number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters (old style number plates) or 20 meters if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC.) You also need to decide what format of lessons are best for you. (see below)
How do I apply for my Provisional Licence?...
You can apply for your provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th Birthday. To apply for your provisional license, you can complete a D1 form from the post office and send it to the DVLA with your passport or birth certificate, and a passport-sized photo. You can also apply online (Link on 'Useful Links' page.)
I've lost my licence! How do I get a new one?...
You can apply for a new licence online. It costs £12.50 for a replacement licence. You need both parts for you test ( yes! You have two parts for your licence. The first part is your plastic bit and the other is your paper counterpart.) Click her for the link and more information about replacing your licence.
How many hours tuition will I need to pass my test?...
The official DSA answer is 'around 40-60 hours of tuition and private practice on average'. I find that this is too high as most of my learners don't do private practice and usually only need around 30-40 hours of tuition when doing 2 hour lessons. However if you are older or find it hard to learn new skills it may take longer. Likewise if you are very eager to pass and have structured private practice you should be able to pass with less tuition. The other thing you have to take into consideration is the form of the tuition. If you have lots of gaps between then you will struggle to remember the information being taught and will need more re-cap time.
Do I need to pass my theory test before I start my practical lessons?...
You don't have to pass your driving test before you start your lessons unless you are doing a 1 week course with us. Then you will need all your time to think about the practical tuition! Most learners prefer to combine theory study with learning to drive and find it helps them remember what they learned in the practical lessons as well!
What do I need to take with me for my Theory test?...
You need to take with you both parts of your driving licence (Plastic and paper counterpart). Also remember to take with you the DSA confirmation letter of you theory test.
What do I need to take with me for my Practical test?...
You need to take with you both parts of your driving licence (Plastic and paper counterpart). You also need to take your Theory Test Pass Certificate and also your DSA test confirmation letter.(p.s. If you have your test soon - good luck!)
What types of Driving Tuition/Lessons do you provide?...
We provide:-
Hourly / Single Driving Lessons.
You can have lessons in 1 Hour, 1.5 Hour and 2 Hour blocks per week. 2 hour lessons usually allow you to learn more quickly. Their are many reason for this please contact me or check out our
FAQ's page for more details. These Lessons are paid for at the start of each lesson 'PAY-As-You-Go' or 'Block Bookings' which attract a discount. (see our
Driving Lessons page for more detail).
Intensive Driving courses.
Are designed to allow you to have more hours of tuition spread over a shorter time. Usually 2-8 weeks. You pay up-front and have a Practical test at the end. They give you time to revise for your theory and are less demanding on time and energy then the Quick Pass course! (see our Intensive Driving Courses page for more detail).
Quick Pass Course.
This course is very similar to the Intensive course but due to the shortness of time requires you to already have you Theory Test Passed before you start the course (courses can get booked up quick so you may have time to pass your theory test before the course begins if you have not already. It is more suited to the learner who can spare the whole of the week or lots of time over several weeks to learn to drive. (see our
Quick Pass course page for more detail(some times called "Crash Course").
Guaranteed Pass Course.
Our Guaranteed Pass course is based on the '
Quick Pass' and
'Intensive' Courses but is designed for the learner that wants to have the stress and pressure removed. It also allows you to learn to drive for a fixed cost. If you fail your practical test we pay for you next one and give you our
Re-Test Course for free (as many times as needed!). If you pass the course first time (which is what we aim for!) you will receive our Pass Plus course for free. (see our
Guaranteed Pass Course page for more details).
Do you have any advise for my theory Test?...
Yes! ... Check out our
Theory Test Help and advise section.
Do you have any advise for my Car Practical Test?...
Yes! ... Check out our
Practical Car Test Help and advise section.
Do you have any advise for me before i start my first lesson...
Yes! ... Check out our
Pre Lesson Help and advise section.
Every lesson you have with us is covered by our
‘Money Back Guarantee’*

...for your peace of mind every lesson with ChrisRichardsADI is coverd by our money back guarantee. Very few driving instructors offer this! To find out more visit our Money Back Guarantee page (T&C's apply).
First 2 hours £30
...If you cant decide what's best for you then try our 2 hour assessment / trial lesson.
You get to see why Chris Richards ADI gets so many recommendations from past learners, while not having commit to a block or course of lessons. If you have already had some experience then we can asses where your at and give your our professional opinion on the best way for you to learn to drive.
Areas We Cover
we Provide Driving lesson and Intensive Course in the following areas (click on the links to see each are in more detail):-
•Preston City and the Surrounding areas
•We cover chorley and the surounding areas
•we cover leyland
•we cover southport
More Reasons to Choose Chris Richards ADI
• Free Pick-up form home, work or college
• Money Back Guarantee*
• Free Theory Help
• Pass Plus Tuition
• Student Discount
• Motorway Tuition
• Fully Approved Driving Instructor (not a trainee!)
• Air Conditioned Mini Cooper
• Friendly Patient Instructor.
• Excellent 1st Time Pass Rate
• Gift Vouchers Available.
• Earn Money off your lessons when you recommend a friend
•Physchometric profiling