Frequently Asked Questions – Ark Driving School

 At Ark Driving School, we provide a full range of driving lessons in Newcastle upon Tyne to suit learners at every stage. This includes manual driving lessons, automatic driving lessons, refresher driving lessons for returning drivers, intensive full driving courses for faster learning, and the Pass Plus course for post-test advanced training.
Learn more about our driving lessons here 

 Booking your driving lesson with Ark Driving School is simple. You can call or text us directly on 07828 546888, message us on WhatsApp, or complete the enquiry form on our Contact Page. We will confirm your availability and get you scheduled quickly. 

 Yes. We offer convenient door-to-door pickup for learners living locally within NE1 to NE8 and NE15. For students who live further away or prefer to meet elsewhere, we have designated meeting points, including Jesmond, Heaton, Fenham, and Gosforth. This flexibility helps make lessons accessible to everyone. 

 Absolutely. You can choose to learn in either a manual or an automatic car depending on your preference and long-term goals. Many learners opt for automatic lessons for ease, while manual lessons offer more flexibility as you can legally drive both manual and automatic cars once you pass your test. 

 Lessons at Ark Driving School last two hours. We offer flexible scheduling, including mornings, evenings, and weekends, making it easy to fit lessons around work, school, or university commitments. 

 Our pricing is competitive with Manual lessons in Newcastle starting from £40 per hour and automatic lessons from £45 per hour. We also offer discounted rates for block bookings and intensive courses. Please contact us directly for our latest pricing packages and availability. 

 Ark Driving School is a family-run business. Your lessons will be taught by either Nadar, an experienced DVSA-approved instructor in his 40s who works well with learners of all ages, or Akib, an experience driver who is especially good at putting new drivers at ease. Both are qualified, patient, and dedicated to helping you succeed.
Learn more about our team here 

 We teach in modern, dual-controlled vehicles to ensure your safety. For manual lessons we currently use a Nissan Juke, Hyundai i30, and Ford Fiesta. For automatic lessons we use a BMW automatic. All cars are well-maintained, learner-friendly, and fully insured. 

 Yes. You must hold a valid UK provisional driving licence before starting any driving lessons in Newcastle. This is a legal requirement for all learner drivers. 

 The number of lessons needed varies depending on your experience and learning pace. On average, learners in the UK take around 40 to 50 hours of lessons. We will assess your progress during each session and recommend the best approach for you, whether that’s standard weekly lessons or an intensive course. 

 The Pass Plus course is an optional, six-hour programme designed for drivers who have already passed their test. It covers advanced driving scenarios such as motorways, night driving, rural roads, and driving in poor weather. Completing Pass Plus can improve your confidence and may reduce your car insurance premiums with certain providers.
Read about our Pass Plus course here 

 Our intensive or full driving courses condense your lessons into a shorter time frame, such as multiple sessions over a few days or weeks. This is ideal if you want to pass your test quickly or learn best with repetition. We customise the schedule to your availability and skill level, and include mock tests to prepare you for the real thing.
Learn more about our intensive driving courses here 

 We primarily prepare learners for the Gosforth test centre. Our instructors are familiar with the local routes, road layouts, and common test challenges, which gives our students an advantage when test day arrives. 

 We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please give at least 48 hours’ notice to avoid a cancellation fee. Contact us via phone, text, or WhatsApp and we will rearrange your lesson for a convenient time. 

 Safety is our top priority. If severe weather conditions or emergencies make it unsafe to drive, we will contact you as early as possible to reschedule your lesson at no extra cost.