Driving Academy

We offer driver’s training and instruction to both teens and adults in and around Southampton

The pupils will develop and possess the necessary driving skills to function safely in a complex driving environment. We focus on providing our students with enough instruction to ensure that their driving is excellent

While meeting the unique needs of all learner students, they will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be an experienced , professional driver.

Students will gain a life time of independent, safe, defensive and responsible driving skills hand-on-hand training, and the latest driving techniques using modern equipment.

Cockpit Drill DHSSSM

D – Doors

Although this seems obvious, you need to make sure all the doors are shut. This includes the boot. If they aren’t closed properly, they could open while driving. Most cars will have a light near the speedometer indicating an open door. Other vehicles may make a beeping sound if a door is open after the car is switched on.

H – Handbrake

Make sure the handbrake is secure before you adjust your seat and mirrors so the car does not start moving off unexpectedly.

S – Seat

Most cars have a lever under the driver’s seat which can be pulled up to release the chair so that it can slide forwards and backwards. Make sure you can reach the steering wheel and the foot pedals. You should be able to push the clutch (left foot pedal) all the way down whilst retaining a slight bend in your knee and reach the steering wheel with a slight bend at the elbow. Your backrest should be upright and the centre of the headrest should be level with the top of your ears. If you have a modern car, you may be able to adjust the height of the seat to give you a better view of the road ahead.

S – Steering Wheel

If you have an adjustable steering wheel, there will be a lever which allows you to move the steering column up and down. Make sure: you can see all the display dials; that the steering wheel is not too close to your legs, and; it is locked in place.

S – Seat belt

You should put your seatbelt on once you have adjusted your seat and wheel so that you don’t cause it to lock. As the driver, you are also required to make sure anyone under the age of 14 travelling in the car with you is wearing their seat belt. Although you are not responsible for people over this age by law, it is still a good idea to check everyone is belted up before setting off.

M – Mirrors

Make sure to set your interior mirror and left and right door mirrors to an appropriate angle. The interior mirror can be set with your left hand to help you avoid touching the glass and should be set so that you can see as much of your car’s rear window as possible. The door mirrors should be set so that you can see the side of your car in only a small part of the mirror and about half road and half sky in the remainder of the mirror.