Manual Driving Lessons in Putney

DVSA-approved manual tuition across Putney, Roehampton and SW15

Manual driving lessons in Putney (SW15) cost from £37.50 per hour with Kudos Driving School. You learn one-to-one with a DVSA-approved instructor on the roads that make Putney a strong place to learn manual: the climb of Putney Hill, the queues on Putney High Street and the faster A3. Kudos brings 20 years of teaching experience and a 98% first-time pass rate, with pickup from your door or a Putney station.

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Manual Pass Results and Reviews from Putney Learners

    
 
 
        
   Kanahiryan Kebede 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience practicing to drive with my driving instructor Janaid, he was very helpful and made sure I understudy my faults so I was able to properly correct them and build good habits in time for my test. I passed and I am very grateful for his support.
  
 
       
   Ladis Leb 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Waqar is a legendary-level driving instructor 🏆. I started driving with him in November 2025. I was initially nervous before the first lesson as I hadn't driven in two years. However Waqar was super friendly and his clear instructions helped me gain my confidence back. Every lesson thereafter was smooth, I quickly gained the experience and confidence needed and by feb/march 2026 I felt fully ready. I secured a test date for June 2026 and passed my test first try! I really really recommend Waqar. In addition to being a great instructor, he is very fun to talk to and has a very kind heart. You'll always leave the lesson with a smile!
  
 
       
   olivia shaw 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had waqar as a driving instructor, he was great! A very understanding, helpful and friendly instructor who made me feel comfortable and confident. He helped me pass first time with 0 minors, can’t recommend him and the company enough!
  
 
       
   Rozeen Fatima 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience of driving lessons with Junaid Bhai.Thankyou Junaid bhai for your assistance
  
 
       
   vaneeza noor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience with my driving classes with junaid bhai and i m grateful for his assistance in my lessons
  
 
       
   Rahul Ramcharan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Definitely recommend to everyone. Waqar an amazing driving instructor. No complaints
  
 
       
   ujjawal kansara 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Passing my driving test in 1st attempt would not have been possible without such an amazing instructor. From the very first lesson, WAQAR is professional, friendly, and incredibly supportive. His calm approach and excellent teaching style made learning to drive much less stressful and much more enjoyable. He took the time to explain mistakes constructively and helped me improve with every lesson. Most importantly, he gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. Thank you for all your hard work and encouragement—I highly recommend your lessons to anyone preparing for their driving test.
  
 
       
   Sham 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience with Kudos. Waqar helped me to sharpen my driving skills and pass my test, with 8 hours of lessons, on my first try. Would definitely reccomend to anyone looking for a reliable and honest instructor.
  
 
       
   Philip Doe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience learning to drive with Waqar. He is a highly professional, patient, encouraging, and dedicated instructor who consistently went above and beyond to support me throughout my driving journey.
What stood out most was his ability to build my confidence, especially during challenging moments and setbacks. His calm approach, expert guidance, and unwavering encouragement helped me stay motivated and continue improving.
Thanks to his hard work and commitment, I felt well-prepared and confident behind the wheel. I would highly recommend Waqar to anyone looking to learn to drive, and I will certainly be recommending him to my friends and family.
  
 
       
   Musawar Ahmad 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just passed my test on automatic and I owe it all to Junaid! He’s such a legend—super chill, patient, and made the whole process way less stressful. He knows all the ‘Morden’ test routes inside out and really helped me nail the tricky parts. If you're looking for an instructor who’s easy to get along with and gets results, Junaid is your guy. Thanks again!

What Are Manual Driving Lessons?

A manual driving lesson is a lesson in a car with three pedals and a gear stick. You work the clutch with your left foot and choose each gear yourself, so you decide how the car pulls away on Putney Hill or slows for Putney Bridge. A test pass in a manual car gives you a full licence for manual and automatic cars. Kudos Driving School runs manual lessons across Putney with DVSA-approved instructors.

Should You Learn Manual or Automatic in Putney?

Manual suits most Putney learners who want to keep their options open after the test. Pass in a manual and your licence covers every car. Pass in an automatic and your licence carries restriction code 78, so you can only drive automatics unless you take a second practical test in a manual.

First cars and shared cars: Students at the University of Roehampton and first-time buyers often start with an older, cheaper car, and many of those are manual.
Driving beyond London: The A3 takes you out of Putney towards Surrey and the south coast. Hire cars and work vans outside London are often manual.
Hills teach control: Putney Hill gives you real hill-start practice every week, which flatter parts of London cannot.
When automatic makes more sense: If you will only ever drive an electric or automatic car, automatic gets you to test standard in fewer hours and is easier in Putney High Street queues. See our automatic driving lessons

Manual vs Automatic Driving Lessons in Putney Compared

Not sure which to book? Manual lessons give you a licence for any car, while automatic lessons are usually quicker but limit you to automatics. The driving test itself is the same either way. Here is how the two compare for Putney learners.

Manual and automatic driving lessons in Putney compared: what you can drive after passing, who changes gear, Putney traffic, hours to test standard, the driving test and who each suits
Factor	Manual lessons	Automatic lessons
What you can drive after passing	Any car, manual or automatic	Automatics only (code 78 on the licence)
Who changes gear	You, with the clutch and gear stick	The car
In Putney traffic	More to do in queues and on Putney Hill	Easier in stop-start traffic
Hours to test standard	About 45 on the DVSA average	Usually fewer
The driving test	Identical format and marking
Suits	Learners who want every option open	Learners set on an automatic or electric car

Manual and automatic lessons cost the same with Kudos Driving School.

Still deciding? Call 020 3158 6710 and a Kudos instructor will help you choose the right lessons for your goals and budget.

Book Your Lesson in Putney

Which Manual Driving Courses Does Kudos Offer in Putney?

Putney learners can choose from five manual courses with Kudos Driving School: weekly lessons, block bookings, an intensive course, refresher lessons and automatic-to-manual conversion. All five are one-to-one with a DVSA-approved instructor and start from your address in SW15.

Weekly Manual Lessons

Suits learners fitting lessons around lectures at Roehampton, a commute from Putney station or the school run. You take one or two hours each week in the same slot, from £37.50 per hour, with no block to buy first.

Book Weekly Lessons

Block-Booked Manual Lessons

Suits learners who know they are going all the way to the test. Ten hours cost £365, which brings each hour down to £36.50. Twenty hours cost £730.

Book Block-Booked

Intensive Manual Courses

Suits learners working towards a booked test. Waits at Morden, Isleworth and Tolworth run from 10 to 16 weeks, so most learners book the test first and take the 20-hour course (£730) in the weeks before it. See the intensive manual driving course

Book Intensive Courses

Manual Refresher Lessons

Suits drivers who hold a licence but have not used a clutch for years, and drivers new to London. Refresher driving lessons (internal link) go straight to what you find hard, often Tibbet's Corner, the A3 or parking on Putney's narrower side streets.

Book Manual Refresher

Automatic-to-Manual Conversion

Suits automatic licence holders who now need a manual, often for a job or a family car. You do not retake the theory test, because your automatic licence counts as a provisional for manual cars. Lessons focus on the clutch, gears and hill starts, then on the manual practical test.

Book Automatic-to-Manual Course

How Do Manual Driving Lessons in Putney Work?

STEP 1
Easy Booking

Call, WhatsApp or use the contact form. Tell us your SW15 postcode, your driving experience and the times you can do.
STEP 2
Doorstep Collection

Your instructor meets you at your door, at Putney or East Putney station, or at the University of Roehampton.
STEP 3
Structured Progress

The first lesson sets your starting level. After that your instructor records each skill, from biting point to Tibbet's Corner, against the DVSA syllabus, so you always know what comes next.
STEP 4
Pass Your Test

Your final lessons move to the roads around Morden, Isleworth or Tolworth. You sit a mock test, then take the real one in the same dual-control manual car.

Book Your First Manual Lesson in Putney

What Happens on Your First Manual Lesson in Putney?

A first manual lesson in Putney covers the basics on quiet roads, with no traffic to worry about and nothing marked. Bring your provisional licence, and your glasses if you wear them to drive.

Licence and eyesight: You show your provisional licence and read a number plate from 20 metres.
A lift to quiet roads: Your instructor drives from your pickup point to a calm street near Putney Heath and explains the controls on the way.
Getting set up: You adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel, then learn the pedals and gear positions with the engine off.
Biting point: You feel the clutch bite, pull away and stop at the kerb. You repeat it until it is smooth.
Into second gear: You make your first gear change and steer along a quiet road.
What next: Your instructor sums up the lesson, sets out the next one and gives you a first estimate of the hours you will need.

What Manual Driving Skills Do You Learn on Putney Roads?

Manual driving lessons in Putney with Kudos Driving School teach six core skills: clutch control, hill starts, stop-start traffic, mini-roundabouts, multi-lane roundabouts with higher gears, and test manoeuvres. Each skill is practised on real SW15 roads, starting on quiet streets near Putney Heath and building up to Putney High Street and the A3.

Clutch control and moving off

Where you practise
Quiet 20mph residential streets near Putney Heath, such as Wildcroft Road and the Dover House Estate

What you learn
Finding the biting point and moving off smoothly, without stalling or rolling back
Hill starts and stall recovery

Where you practise
Putney Hill (A219), which climbs from Upper Richmond Road to Tibbet's Corner

What you learn
Holding the car on the clutch, accelerator and handbrake at traffic lights on a slope, plus a calm restart routine
Stop-start traffic and busy junctions

Where you practise
Putney High Street, the Putney Bridge junction and Upper Richmond Road (A205)

What you learn
Creeping on the clutch in queues, bus lane signs and mirror checks for cyclists
Mini-roundabouts

Where you practise
Chartfield Avenue

What you learn
Giving way to the right, selecting second gear early and signalling clearly
Multi-lane roundabouts and higher gears

Where you practise
Tibbet's Corner and the A3

What you learn
Lane choice on approach, building up to fourth and fifth gear, then changing down in good time
Test manoeuvres and independent driving

Where you practise
Side roads and car parks across SW15

What you learn
Parallel park, bay park, pulling up on the right, emergency stop and following a sat nav

Ready to practise these skills on SW15 roads?

Learn Manual with Kudos

Where Do Putney Learners Take the Driving Test?

Putney has no driving test centre. The three nearest are Morden, Isleworth and Tolworth, each about five to six miles away. Morden passed 51.0% of candidates, Isleworth 50.4% and Tolworth 53.6% in 2025/26 (DVSA). Kudos learners hold a 98% first-time pass rate.

51.0%Morden pass rate, 2025/26 (DVSA)
50.4%Isleworth pass rate, 2025/26 (DVSA)
53.6%Tolworth pass rate, 2025/26 (DVSA)
98%Kudos first-time pass rate

Driving test centres near Putney: pass rate 2025/26, median wait in August 2026 and where to report
Test centre	Pass rate 2025/26	Median wait, August 2026	Where you report
Morden	51.0%	14.3 weeks	10 Tudor Drive, Morden, SM4 4PE
Isleworth	50.4%	16.3 weeks	The Wireless Factory, Fleming Way, Isleworth, TW7 6DB
Tolworth Best pass rate	53.6%	10.3 weeks	Douglas House, 1B Douglas Road, Tolworth, KT6 7RZ

Tolworth has both the shortest wait and the highest pass rate of the three. Always check the address on your DVSA booking confirmation before test day.

Lessons move to your test centre before test day

The roads you are tested on are not Putney roads. Once your test is booked, Kudos runs your lessons around your chosen centre, so its junctions, roundabouts and speed limits feel familiar. Two-hour lessons work best at this stage because they cover the drive there and back.

Book Your Manual Lesson in Putney

What Happens in the Manual Driving Test?

A manual test is marked exactly like an automatic test. It lasts about 35 minutes on the road, and you pass with 15 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous fault.

Before you drive: You read a number plate from 20 metres and answer one “tell me” safety question.
General driving: You drive in varied traffic, including a hill start, pulling out from behind a parked car and normal stops.
Independent driving: For 20 to 35 minutes you follow a sat nav, road signs or both.
One reversing manoeuvre: You parallel park, park in a bay, or pull up on the right and reverse two car lengths.
Show me question: You operate one control while driving, such as the windscreen washers.
Emergency stop: Some candidates are asked for one.

Practice on the roads around your test centre

Test routes are not published, so there is nothing to memorise. Kudos prepares you on the kinds of road each centre uses: residential streets, busy junctions and faster roads such as the A3 near Tolworth and the A24 near Morden. You repeat them until nothing about the area surprises you.

Common Manual Test Faults and How Kudos Fixes Them

Fault	Usual cause	Fix taught in lessons
Stalling at junctions	Clutch released too quickly	Find the biting point before moving off
Rolling back on a hill	Biting point lost	Set the gas, hold the bite, then release the handbrake
Wrong gear for the speed	Late gear change	Change gear before the hazard
Poor junction observation	Attention on the gears	Finish gear changes early and look both ways
Coasting round corners	Clutch held down too long	Keep the clutch up until just before you stop
Looking down at the gear stick	Unsure of gear positions	Learn the gate by feel, eyes on the road

Who Teaches Manual Driving Lessons at Kudos Driving School?

Your manual lessons in Putney are taught by a DVSA-approved driving instructor (ADI) from Kudos Driving School, the school Ammara founded after 20 years of teaching learners. Lessons are one-to-one, with nobody else in the car, and you can ask for a female instructor.

DVSA Approved Instructors

An ADI has passed three DVSA exams: theory, driving ability and instructional ability. DVSA then re-checks their teaching at regular intervals. Look for the green badge in the windscreen on your first lesson. That standard sits behind Kudos's 98% first-time pass rate.

Female Manual Instructors

Prefer to learn with a woman? Say so when you book and Kudos will pair you with a female manual instructor in Putney when one has space. The lessons, the car and the price are the same.

Dual-Control Tuition Car

Lessons are in a [car make and model] with a manual gearbox. The instructor has a clutch and a brake on the passenger side and can step in instantly, which matters most on Putney Hill and at Tibbet's Corner. The car is insured for driving tuition and serviced regularly.

How Does Kudos Support Nervous Manual Learners in Putney?

Nervous learners in Putney usually worry about two things: stalling in front of a queue and rolling back on Putney Hill. Kudos deals with both by keeping early lessons on flat, quiet streets and adding traffic and hills one at a time, at your pace.

Flat roads first: You practise the biting point near Putney Heath before you meet any slope.
Hills in stages: You start on gentle slopes, then drive Putney Hill at a quiet time, then stop and start at its traffic lights.
A routine for stalling: Handbrake on, neutral, restart, find the bite, go. You practise it until a stall costs you three seconds.
Quieter times of day: Early lessons can be booked mid-morning or early afternoon, when Putney High Street is calmer.
No pressure to move on: You take on the next skill when you say the current one feels safe.
Back-up on the pedals: Dual controls let your instructor brake or hold the clutch if you need it.

How Many Manual Driving Lessons Will You Need?

DVSA guidance puts the average at about 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of practice with family or friends. In Putney, allow a few of those hours for travelling to your test centre and practising around it, because none is in SW15. If you have driven before or can practise between lessons, you will need fewer. Your instructor gives you a realistic number after the first lesson.

Manual Driving Lesson Prices in Putney

Kudos charges £37.50 per hour for manual lessons in Putney, or £36.50 per hour when you book ten hours. Most local driving schools charge £38 to £40.

Manual driving lesson and course prices in Putney with Kudos Driving School
Lesson or Course	Price	Details
Standard 2-Hour Lesson	£75	Pay as you go at £37.50 per hour
10-Hour Block Booking POPULAR	£365	£36.50 per hour, usually five 2-hour lessons
Intensive Course, 20 Hours	£730	Taken over a few weeks before a booked test
Pass Plus Course, 6 Hours	£250	After your test: motorways, night driving and rural roads
Test-Day Package	On enquiry	Warm-up drive plus the tuition car for your test

Book Your First Lesson in Putney

Call 020 3158 6710 to book or ask about the Test-Day Package.

Recent Manual Test Passes in Putney

Young learner giving a thumbs up next to his instructor after his first lesson

Student smiling after passing her driving test with Kudos Driving School

Student holding up his pass certificate outside the test centre

Close-up of hands holding a UK driving licence card

Student showing his licence to the camera with a big smile after months of lessons

Learner driver holding up her licence with the test centre sign behind her

Areas of Putney We Cover for Manual Lessons

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How much are manual driving lessons in Putney?

From £37.50 per hour with Kudos Driving School. A two-hour lesson is £75 and a 10-hour block is £365, which works out at £36.50 per hour. Other Putney driving schools mostly charge £38 to £40 per hour.

How many manual driving lessons do I need to pass?

Plan for about 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of private practice, which is the DVSA average. Previous experience or regular practice cuts that. Allow a few hours for practising around Morden, Isleworth or Tolworth.

Is a manual licence worth it over automatic?

Yes, if you might ever drive a car you do not own. Hire cars, work vans and older used cars are often manual, and a manual licence covers automatics too. An automatic-only licence means a second test before you can drive a manual.

Is manual harder to learn than automatic?

Yes, for the first few lessons. You manage a clutch and gears on top of steering and observation, and Putney’s hills add to that. With regular lessons the clutch soon stops needing thought.

Is Putney Hill too steep for a beginner?

No. You learn the biting point on flat, quiet streets first. Putney Hill is introduced once moving off feels automatic, and the practice there prepares you for the hill start in the driving test.

Where do Putney learners take the driving test?

Morden, Isleworth or Tolworth. Putney has no driving test centre. Morden is at 10 Tudor Drive, SM4 4PE, Isleworth is on Fleming Way, TW7 6DB, and Tolworth is at 1B Douglas Road, KT6 7RZ.

Does the driving test follow a set route?

No. DVSA does not publish test routes, and no route starts in Putney. Kudos prepares you on the road types used around your chosen centre, not on a memorised route.

Can my instructor book my driving test for me?

No. DVSA changed the rules on 12 May 2026, and only the learner can now book, move or cancel a car test on GOV.UK. Your instructor advises on timing and on which of the three nearby centres to choose.

Does Kudos provide a car for the driving test?

Yes. You take the test in the Kudos dual-control manual car you have been learning in, after a warm-up drive with your instructor.

Can I pay for lessons as I go?

Yes. A standard two-hour manual lesson costs £75, with no block booking required. Block bookings are optional and lower the hourly rate.

DVSA Approved · Putney SW15

Book Your Manual Driving Lessons
in Putney

Ready to start? Book manual driving lessons in Putney with a DVSA-approved Kudos instructor and learn clutch control, hill starts on Putney Hill and confident driving on the A3. Lessons cost from £37.50 per hour, run seven days a week and start from your door. Call 020 3158 6710 or send a WhatsApp message to book your first lesson.

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Manual Driving Lessons in Putney

Manual Pass Results and Reviews from Putney Learners

What Are Manual Driving Lessons?

Should You Learn Manual or Automatic in Putney?

Which Manual Driving Courses Does Kudos Offer in Putney?

Weekly Manual Lessons

Block-Booked Manual Lessons

Intensive Manual Courses

Manual Refresher Lessons

Automatic-to-Manual Conversion

How Do Manual Driving Lessons in Putney Work?

Easy Booking

Doorstep Collection

Structured Progress

Pass Your Test

What Happens on Your First Manual Lesson in Putney?

Clutch control and moving off

Hill starts and stall recovery

Stop-start traffic and busy junctions

Mini-roundabouts

Multi-lane roundabouts and higher gears

Test manoeuvres and independent driving