2022 Review

So once again another fantastic year for Jeff’s Driver Training even though the overall pass rate at 76% was slightly down on the previous two years. This was due to a variety of reasons, but not least the difficulty in securing practical tests at the optimum time for pupils due to the test backlog which still persists caused by lock downs during the Covid pandemic.

A further reason for this is the ongoing shift from manual to automatic. Whilst some will choose automatic because they feel it will be easier, and yes it may be, for others it is because they have physical or learning disabilities, or mental health issues such as anxiety, which make learning in a manual car too difficult or stressful.

As a result of the challenges faced by many of those opting for automatic, and as any instructor who teaches both will confirm, the pass rate in automatic tends to be lower than for those who opt for manual. This should not put anyone off who is considering learning in automatic from doing so, as it is the best choice for many, please see my news item on this here.

In 2022 pupils with Jeff’s Driver Training took 7 manual tests of which 6 passed, a pass rate of 86%, and 10 pupils took tests in automatic, of which 7 passed, a pass rate of 70%, making up the overall pass rate of 76%. This is significantly higher than national and local averages, which overall for all tests nationally still remains at under 50%, and for automatic tests at just under 42%, please see DVSA stats here.

It should be noted that of the few pupils who took their driving tests with Jeff’s Driver Training and were unsuccessful at their first attempt, all of those who were able to secure a further test this year were then successful, making the pass rate effectively 100%, which is an amazing achievement by all the pupils who put their faith in Jeff’s Driver Training during 2022.

Please click on the year to see previous reviews
2021 Overall 90% (Manual 100% Auto 83%)
2020 Overall 94% (Manual 100% Auto 80%)
Making the three year average
20-22 Overall 86% (Manual 95% Auto 76%)

This year saw two changes at Jeff’s Driver Training, firstly in the manual school car. Sadly back in June ‘Connor’ the diesel Vauxhall Corsa suffered what was very nearly a terminal mechanical breakdown. Those concerned about the planet, as I am, will be pleased to know that ‘he’ did not end up on a scrapheap, as the father of an ex pupil breathed new life into ‘him’.

Connor was subsequently replaced by ‘Connie’ a 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa SE which surprisingly pupils find more enjoyable to learn in, even though ‘she’ has less driver aids. Whilst clutch control in the petrol Corsa needs to be more precise, pupils have reported feeling more ‘in control’ in the absence of the characteristic ‘diesel surge’ of the original manual car, (the ‘School Cars’ page will be updated soon).

The second major change at Jeff’s Driver Training has been the ongoing move towards automatic. The vast majority of enquiries are now from potential pupils wanting to learn in automatic, for the reasons described above. As a consequence of this, Jeff’s Driver Training currently only offers manual on Mondays, so around just 20% of teaching time.

New for 2022 was the introduction of the ‘jumping celebration‘ pass picture inspired by a picture a friend sent me after her own daughter had passed some years ago. I thought this seemed a rather more fitting way to celebrate than pupils just standing by the car holding their coveted pass certificate. You can see the results of this here.

Whilst jumping pictures are not mandatory, when I ask pupils to start practising their jumps in the lead up to their practical test, I find it is a useful distraction from any nervousness they may be starting to feel about the test itself. I should perhaps also introduce a prize for the best jump each year. Please note, JDT is not responsible or liable for any injuries which might occur during these celebrations!

Well done to all my pupils in the class of 2022, thank you for putting your faith in me, and making my working life so enjoyable and rewarding. Happy New Year to everyone from me, Jeff, at Jeff’s Driver Training. I am looking forwards to 2023 and together with my pupils making it another great and successful year for us all.