Richard Evens has been an ADI since 2002. He is currently a DVSA Grade A as of his last Standards Check 49 out of 51 and his pass rate is 81% between 2017 and 2023. People like learning with Richard who want to be pushed to achieve their potential without cutting any corners. His attention to detail is reflected in the amount of driver faults his pupils make per test.
About us
Ultimate Driving school take great pride in our pass rates and put an emphasis on learning to drive in the real world and NOT just to pass the Practical Driving Test. Our philosophy is based on teaching pupils in varying road and traffic conditions to give as much experience as possible to cope with the modern demands of driving in the UK.
Take time to check out our Driving Instructors, their individual pass rates and why pupils like taking driving lessons with each instructor in Newbury and Thatcham! Don't forget to check out our Google Reviews.
William Houry has been and ADI since 2017. He has recently been awarded a high Grade B on his Standards Check 41 out of 51 and his pass rate is 71% between 2017 and 2022. People like learning with Will because he is incredibly laid back, calm and delivers constructive criticism to his pupils every time. This is reflected in the amount of Google Reviews he receives saying as much.
Manual car
Fuel prices are increasing rapidly. We are looking to go fully electric and automatic to reflect this within the next 2 years. After 2030 you will not be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car so manual gearboxes will end! Big car manufactures are moving this way already - Mini have already stopped selling new diesel cars!
Learning to drive a manual car is significantly harder than an automatic. This is down to the sheer amount of coordination of feet, hands, brain and eyes all at the same time. Today's roads are far busier than they were in 1970. We have gone from a country with roughly 13 million vehicles in 1970 to nearly 40 million today.
These days you really have to have your wits about you as sadly the majority of drivers are also using smartphones to not just send messages but to make and look at social media posts whilst driving.
- Petrol cars are cheaper
- More purchasing options at moment
- Can drive Automatic too
- Fuel is Expensive
- New Petrol and Manual Cars will finish in 2030
- More difficult to learn
Electric car
Petrol and Diesel will be phased out from 2030. Driving an electric automatic car is a liberating experience. Most of the braking is done without using the brake pedal if you plan ahead and only accelerate and slow down when needed. All new cars will be automatic from 2030.
Learning in an automatic has always been simpler but in an electric it is even easier. It allows your brain to focus more on the road ahead and on other road users around you making you a safer driver.
Nearly half of all new cars sold are currently automatic - a massive change in the last 5 years. This is also reflected in the amount of automatic driving tests that are now conducted by the DVSA. As time goes by charging points will become the norm in places like supermarkets and the government will have to address the issue of on street charging.
- Much easier to drive and learn
- Represents the future of cars
- Much cheaper to maintain and Run
- Expensive to purchase an Electric Car
- Need home charger to get most out of cheap green electricity
- At the moment cannot drive a Manual
The Pass Rate Statistics provided for each ADI are based on official records kept by the DVSA and do not include pupils that take their tests in their own cars between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2023. The National Average Pass Rate as of April 2023 was 52%. In the Newbury Area Test Centre the Average Pass Rate between April 2022 and March 2023 was 52.5%.