Westward Ho!, near Bideford
Alan Powell, driving instructor.
I teach learner drivers, run advanced driving courses for individuals and businesses, and train other instructors. I've been at it for a long time, and I'm based here in North Devon.
If you'd like a chat about lessons, give me a ring on 01237 478982 or send a note to alanpowelluk@gmail.com.
What I teach
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Learner drivers
One-to-one lessons in a Mini Cooper, picking you up from home, school or college. Most pupils take six to nine months at a lesson a week. I'm happy with nervous learners and have a lot of experience teaching pupils with dyslexia, autism or Asperger's — we go at your pace.
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Advanced driving
RoSPA Advanced Driver and Rider (RoADAR) courses for drivers who want to be properly good. Each course finishes with an assessment graded Bronze, Silver or Gold. I also run advanced tutor training for people working towards their instructor qualification.
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Fleet driver training
For businesses that need to keep their drivers and their vehicles safe. I'm a DVSA Registered Fleet Driver Trainer — I'll come to you, assess each driver in the classroom and on the road, and tailor the training to whatever's needed.
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SAFED (safe and fuel-efficient driving)
Training in safer, more efficient driving for fleet drivers — vans, lorries and company cars. The original European SAFED scheme has wound down, but I deliver an equivalent programme that typically saves around 15% on fuel.
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Track and skid-car days
For motorsport-curious individuals or corporate groups. I'm one of the few SKID-car registered instructors in North Devon. We can do a track day, an off-road run, or some skid-pan work — I stay in the car with you the whole time. Also makes a memorable gift.
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Other
Pass Plus, refresher lessons, theory test help, trailer towing, and pre-17 training. If you're not sure what fits, give me a call and we'll work it out.
Prices
Learner driver
Advanced driver
Fleet & SAFED
Prices include the training vehicle, fuel and the test-day car. All bookings confirmed by phone or email.
A little about me
I started out in vehicle repair and recovery, so I've always known cars from underneath as well as behind the wheel. I trained as a driving instructor at the encouragement of friends in the industry — many of them at RoSPA, where I later served as Chairman of the North Devon group.
I'm a RoSPA Advanced Driver Tutor and have held the DVLA's highest instructor grade (Grade 6, on the old scale) for the past eight years. I've trained a lot of the working instructors around here, and I've never had to advertise — pupils tend to recommend each other.
I'm comfortable with all sorts of pupils — first-time teenagers, drivers coming back after a break, nervous drivers, people with learning differences, and the occasional offending driver doing a rehabilitation course. I have two Mini Coopers for normal lessons and a Mini S that I use for track and off-road days.
Get in touch
- phone 01237 478982
- mobile 07885 933848 SMS welcome
- email alanpowelluk@gmail.com
- based Westward Ho!, near Bideford covering Bideford, Barnstaple, Torrington and the wider North Devon area