Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Driving School in Carlisle
At New Starters, we have dedicated ourselves to transforming driving education since 2012. Our 60-hectare training site in Carlisle provides a controlled environment for learners to master essential skills without traffic pressure. With DVSA-approved instructors like Stephen Philipson and John Wardle, we combine technical expertise with personalized teaching methods to build confidence. Our team's collective experience spans over five years, achieving consistently high pass rates. We prioritize safety through structured lessons covering clutch control, hill starts, and road positioning before progressing to real-world driving.Testimonials highlight our instructors' patience and ability to create stress-free learning experiences. We maintain transparency through clear pricing and flexible scheduling while fostering a collaborative team approach across our franchise network. Our commitment to quality is evidenced by endorsements from the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership.
Services
Driving Lessons
Pre-Learner Training
Pass Plus Courses
Trailer Training
Mock Tests
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer structured training on a dedicated 60-hectare site with no traffic
- Our instructors maintain 20% higher first-time pass rates than national average
- We provide personalized lesson plans tailored to individual learning needs
- Our team includes DBS-checked instructors with 5+ years' teaching experience
- We offer flexible scheduling including weekend lessons with experienced instructors
Associations and certifications
- DVSA
What people say
Passed first time
Brilliant instructors
Stress-free learning
Highly recommended
Great confidence-building
Services
Driving Lessons
Professional driving instruction for learners aged 14+. Structured lessons cover clutch control, gear changes, and road positioning. Our 60-hectare training site provides a safe environment for mastering essential skills before progressing to real-world driving scenarios. Instructors adapt teaching methods to individual learning styles.
Pre-Learner Training
Specialized training for new drivers aged 14+. Focus on basic vehicle control in traffic-free environment. Covers steering techniques, braking methods, and hazard awareness. Builds foundational skills to prepare for official driving tests while reducing anxiety through gradual progression.
Pass Plus Courses
Post-test driving improvement program. Teaches advanced techniques for motorway driving, night driving, and adverse weather conditions. Designed to build confidence and reduce insurance costs. Includes practical exercises with experienced instructors to develop defensive driving skills.
Trailer Training
Specialist instruction for towing vehicles. Covers trailer hitching techniques, weight distribution, and reversing methods. Practical sessions focus on stability control and emergency procedures. Designed for drivers needing to tow caravans, boats, or commercial trailers safely.
Mock Tests
Realistic test simulations conducted by experienced instructors. Replicates official DVSA test format and routes. Provides detailed feedback on performance areas. Helps identify improvement points and builds test-day confidence through familiarization with assessment criteria.
People
Stephen Philipson
Driving Instructor
DVSA-approved driving instructor with over five years' experience. Specializes in creating stress-free learning environments. Maintains excellent pass rates through personalized teaching methods. DBS-checked and committed to road safety education.
John Collins
Senior Instructor
Experienced driving instructor with proven track record of first-time passes. Focuses on building learner confidence through patient instruction. Recognized for effective teaching methods that reduce test anxiety. Regularly receives positive student feedback.
John Wardle
Lead Instructor
Established instructor with extensive local knowledge of Carlisle test routes. Combines technical expertise with approachable teaching style. Achieves consistent success with learners of all ages. Prioritizes safety and confidence-building in every lesson.
Kenny
Driving Instructor
Patient and understanding instructor specializing in nervous drivers. Develops personalized lesson plans to address individual needs. Known for calm demeanor and effective communication style. Committed to making driving education enjoyable and accessible.
Matt
Instructor
Supportive driving instructor focused on confidence-building. Specializes in working with anxious learners. Demonstrates exceptional patience and adaptability. Recognized for transforming nervous drivers into competent, confident road users through tailored instruction.
Questions
What age can I start driving lessons?
You can begin with our pre-learner training from age 14, or start official lessons at 16 with a provisional license.
Do you offer lessons on manual cars?
Yes, we provide instruction in both manual and automatic vehicles to suit your learning preferences and test requirements.
What makes your training site special?
Our 60-hectare site offers a full road layout with no traffic, allowing safe practice of essential skills before real-world driving.
Are your instructors qualified?
All instructors are DVSA-approved with enhanced DBS checks. They maintain excellent pass rates and undergo regular professional development.
Can I book weekend lessons?
Yes, we offer flexible scheduling including weekend appointments to accommodate working learners' availability.
Do you guarantee test success?
While we can't guarantee passes, our structured training achieves first-time pass rates 20% above national average through proven methods.
Reviews (5)
That Charlie Lad From Down The Road
Oct 24, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
Never had a problem from the start to the finish with any cars or instructors. Very flexible with hours giving the circumstance of test changed multiple time. When explaining situations the instructors make it very clear and easy to understand. Cant recommend enough
Never had a problem from the start to the finish with any cars or instructors. Very flexible with hours giving the circumstance of test changed multiple time. When explaining situations the instructors make it very clear and easy to understand. Cant recommend enough
Samantha Denney
Sep 18, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
I passed my driving test today with Scotty . He is so calm and understanding, I was such a nervous driver and thanks to him I'm now confident. Ive tried 2 instructors before him and he's by far the best! Thanks so much
I passed my driving test today with Scotty . He is so calm and understanding, I was such a nervous driver and thanks to him I'm now confident. Ive tried 2 instructors before him and he's by far the best! Thanks so much
Amy Nash
Jul 02, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
5*! I was learning with Lorna, who really helped me build my confidence driving. Would most definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn to drive!
5*! I was learning with Lorna, who really helped me build my confidence driving. Would most definitely recommend for anyone wanting to learn to drive!
Harvey Roberts
Nov 21, 2019
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Offroad lessons were really helpful to practice basics and then learning with Steve was really fun with great value for money and time! The lessons were relaxed and informal and I was able to learn not only how to pass the test but how to be a safe driver and passed first time! Would defo recommend!
Sam Horton
Jul 19, 2016
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Very friendly instructor who was honestly just mad about teaching driving! Not in a bad way!
Got me through my test (1st time, 2 minors) -- Would recommend. :D
(Edit: I learnt with Bruce! Thank you Bruce!)
Got me through my test (1st time, 2 minors) -- Would recommend. :D
(Edit: I learnt with Bruce! Thank you Bruce!)
