FAQs
Do you offer manual or automatic driving lessons?
1
MDQ currently provides driving lessons in a manual transmission car only.
How do I pay, and when is my lesson booked?
2
Payments are made by bank transfer or secure payment link.
Lesson slots are considered booked when payment has been received. Your lesson will be marked as scheduled until this point.
Payment must be made within 24 hours for a trial lesson or package booking. Pay-as-you-go lessons must be paid no later than 48 hours before the lesson.
Can I cancel or reschedule a lesson?
3
Cancellations and rescheduling are allowed within reason. Please make me aware of any need to change your lesson as soon as possible.
Refunds are available when at least 48 hours’ notice is given. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, your lesson payment may be at risk.
Frequent changes to lessons will result in a conversation about whether this is the right time for you to commit to ongoing lessons and whether there is anything we can do now to help make that possible.
Weekly lessons are most common, but lessons can be twice weekly, fortnightly or arranged at another frequency depending on what is required.
Your lessons will be scheduled in a regular slot, but they will not be considered booked until payment has been received.
How often can I have driving lessons?
4
Pick-up is normally from your home, but another address within Falkirk district can be arranged.
Any change to the pick-up address must be agreed at least 24 hours in advance to allow me to plan my day.
Where will my driving lesson start?
5
Before your first lesson, you will need:
Your valid provisional driving licence
A DVLA driving licence check code
Flat, secure footwear with soles of a regular thickness and enough grip to operate the pedals safely
An up-to-date eye examination to help identify any eyesight problems before you begin learning
Please bring any glasses or contact lenses that you need for driving.
At the beginning of your first lesson, we will ask you to read a vehicle number plate from the legally required distance. If you cannot meet the legal eyesight standard, the driving lesson will not be able to continue.
Once you have access to MDQAssist, the app will guide you through each step and help you prepare for your first lesson.
What do I need before my first driving lesson?
6
Can I use the MDQ car for my practical driving test?
7
We will work closely throughout your training to help you meet the test-readiness requirements.
Your progress will be recorded so that we have a clear picture of your skill level. A test-readiness assessment will be carried out at least one month before your practical test to give you time to reschedule if needed.
The MDQ car will only be made available for your test if I agree that you meet the required standard while driving independently. This applies even if your practical test has already been booked.
More information about test readiness is available on the DVSA Ready to Pass website.
Do you provide mock driving tests?
8
I am a driving instructor, not an examiner, and I am not trained to conduct mock driving tests.
Instead, I provide a test-readiness assessment. We can carry this out during your ongoing training when we agree that you may be ready, or you can book it separately as an assessment lesson.
Do you practise driving test routes?
9
No. DVSA does not publish official driving test routes, and your test is designed to assess how you manage a range of road and traffic conditions.
Repeatedly practising the same roads can encourage you to memorise the route rather than develop the skills needed to respond when circumstances change. Instead, I will help you become comfortable making decisions and driving independently across a variety of roads, junctions and situations.
You can also book an Adventure Lesson: an extended three-hour lesson in an unfamiliar and more challenging area, such as a city or rural location. This will help you assess your skill level as a truly independent driver.
Lesson packages expire six months after purchase to help ensure that the lessons are used effectively. Long gaps between lessons can reduce your progress.
MDQAssist will show which package you have purchased and how many unbooked lessons you have remaining. We will work together to do our best to ensure that all lessons are completed before the package expires.
A lesson from your package will be used if you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice.
Any unused lessons remaining on the expiry date will not be refunded.