Manual Driving Lessons in Tooting

DVSA-approved manual tuition from our Tooting base on Garratt Lane

Kudos Driving School has a base on Garratt Lane in Tooting, so our instructors drive these streets every day. We teach manual driving lessons in Tooting (SW17) from £37.50 per hour, one-to-one with a DVSA-approved instructor, and prepare you for the two test centres Tooting learners use: Morden and Mitcham. Behind every lesson are 20 years of teaching experience and a 98% first-time pass rate.

Google 5.0 out of 5
Trustpilot 4.9 out of 5

Book Your Manual Lesson in Tooting Call 020 3158 6710

1000+Happy Learners

98%First-Time Pass Rate

DVSAApproved

4.9Trustpilot Rating

Google 5.0 out of 5

Manual Pass Results and Reviews from Tooting 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?

Manual driving lessons teach you to drive with a clutch and a gear stick, choosing each gear yourself instead of leaving it to the car. Around Tooting Broadway, where four busy roads meet at one set of lights, that control is what lets you move off cleanly when the green arrives. Pass in a manual car and your licence covers manual and automatic cars.

Should You Learn Manual or Automatic in Tooting?

Most Tooting learners pick manual because it keeps every option open. A manual pass has no restrictions. An automatic pass carries code 78, which limits you to automatics until you pass another test in a manual car.

Shift work at St George’s: Hospital staff often need to drive whatever car is free at odd hours. A manual licence covers all of them.
Second-hand cars: Plenty of affordable used cars for sale around SW17 are still manual.
Day trips out of London: The A24 from Tooting runs south through Morden towards Epsom and Dorking, where hire cars and vans are often manual.
When automatic suits better: If you only plan to drive an electric car, or the Broadway’s stop-start traffic on top of a clutch feels too much, automatic usually takes fewer hours. See our automatic driving lessons in Tooting

Manual vs automatic lessons compared

Not sure which to choose? Here is a simple side-by-side to help you pick the right course.

Manual vs automatic driving lessons: licence, gears, local driving, hours to pass, test and who each suits
Factor	Manual	Automatic
After passing you can drive	Every car	Automatics only (code 78)
Gears	You change them	The car changes them
At Tooting Broadway	More to manage at the lights	Simpler at the lights
Usual hours to pass	About 45 (DVSA average)	Often fewer
Driving test	Same test, same marking
Right for you if	You want no limits on what you drive	You are set on automatic or electric

Book Your First Lesson

Which Manual Driving Courses Does Kudos Offer in Tooting?

From our Garratt Lane base, Kudos runs five manual courses for Tooting learners. Pick the one that fits your starting point and your deadline. All are one-to-one with a DVSA-approved instructor.

Weekly Manual Lessons

For learners fitting lessons around shifts, studies at St George's or school runs. One or two hours a week at £37.50 an hour, paid lesson by lesson.

Book Weekly Lessons

Block-Booked Manual Lessons

For learners who know they want to reach the test. Ten hours for £365 brings the rate to £36.50 an hour. Twenty hours cost £730.

Book Block-Booked

Intensive Manual Courses

For learners with a Morden or Mitcham test date already booked. The 20-hour course (£730) puts lots of driving into the weeks before it. See the intensive manual driving course

Book Intensive Courses

Manual Refresher Lessons

For licence holders who are rusty, or who learned to drive abroad and now need London confidence. Refresher driving lessons usually begin with the Broadway junction and bus lanes.

Book Manual Refresher

Automatic-to-Manual Conversion

For automatic licence holders who now need a manual. No new theory test. Lessons focus on the clutch, gears and hill starts, then the manual test.

Book Automatic-to-Manual Course

How Do Manual Driving Lessons in Tooting Work?

STEP 1
Easy Booking

Call, WhatsApp or use the form. Give us your SW17 postcode and the days you are free.
STEP 2
Doorstep Collection

We collect you from home, work, St George's Hospital or any of Tooting's three stations.
STEP 3
Structured Progress

Your instructor tracks every skill against the DVSA syllabus, from the first pull-away in Furzedown to your first time through the Broadway lights.
STEP 4
Pass Your Test

Your final lessons run around Morden or Mitcham, then you take your test in the same car.

Book Your First Manual Lesson

What Happens on Your First Manual Lesson in Tooting?

Your first manual lesson starts on a quiet residential street, well away from the Broadway. You learn the controls and drive a little, and nothing is marked. Bring your provisional licence and any glasses you drive in.

Licence and eyes: Your instructor checks your provisional licence and asks you to read a number plate from 20 metres.
Quiet streets: The instructor drives you to a calm road, often in Furzedown, where traffic is light.
Controls first: Seat, mirrors and steering, then the pedals and gear positions, all with the engine off.
Pulling away: You find the biting point and move off, then stop at the kerb. Repeat until smooth.
Into second: Your first gear change on a straight, quiet road.
Next steps: A short debrief, a plan for lesson two and a first guess at your total hours.

What Manual Driving Skills Do You Learn on Tooting Roads?

Tooting is flat and busy, so manual lessons here are mostly about traffic: junctions, buses, pedestrians and the occasional ambulance. Kudos teaches six skills, starting in quiet Furzedown streets and finishing on the A24 towards Morden.

First pull-aways

Where you practise
Residential streets in Furzedown

What you learn
Finding the biting point and moving off smoothly
Signal-controlled junctions

Where you practise
Tooting Broadway, where Upper Tooting Road, Tooting High Street, Mitcham Road and Garratt Lane meet

What you learn
Choosing your lane early, holding the bite at red, and pulling away cleanly on green
Pedestrians and buses

Where you practise
Upper Tooting Road past Tooting Bec station and the Broadway market

What you learn
Slow clutch control, watching for people stepping out and giving buses room
Emergency vehicles

Where you practise
Blackshaw Road and Garratt Lane near St George's Hospital

What you learn
Spotting blue lights early, pulling over safely and moving off again without stalling
Building up the gears

Where you practise
Tooting Bec Road across Tooting Bec Common

What you learn
Changing up smoothly and changing down in time for the lights
Hill starts

Where you practise
Slopes outside Tooting, such as towards Streatham Common

What you learn
Tooting is flat, so instructors drive a short way out to practise holding the car on a gradient

Ready to practise these skills on SW17 roads? Book your first manual driving lesson in Tooting.

Which Test Centres Do Tooting Learners Use?

Tooting learners take the practical test at Morden or Mitcham, and Kudos prepares learners for both. Morden is the closer of the two, straight down the A24. Mitcham's car tests are currently held at a temporary site in Croydon. In 2025/26, Morden passed 51.0% of candidates and Mitcham 47.0%. Kudos learners pass first time 98% of the time.

51.0%Morden pass rate, 2025/26
47.0%Mitcham pass rate, 2025/26
98%Kudos first-time pass rate

Morden and Mitcham driving test centres for Tooting learners: where you report, route, pass rate 2025/26, median wait in August 2026 and parking
Test centre	Morden	Mitcham
Where you report	10 Tudor Drive, Morden, SM4 4PE	Car tests temporarily at the Hilton Hotel, 101 Waddon Way, Croydon, CR9 4HH (main site: Redhouse Road, CR0 3AQ)
Route from Tooting	South along the A24 through Colliers Wood	South-east towards Purley Way
Pass rate 2025/26	51.0%	47.0%
Median wait, August 2026	14.3 weeks	12.3 weeks
Parking	No published candidate parking; check your booking email	Paid hotel parking after 15 minutes, plus street parking on Waddon Way

Mitcham's temporary site may change. Always check the address in your DVSA booking email before test day.

Morden or Mitcham: which should you book?

Morden has the higher pass rate and is quicker to reach from Tooting. Mitcham usually has a slightly shorter wait. Kudos instructors teach around both, so your choice can come down to the earliest date you can get.

Book Your Manual Lesson

What Happens in the Manual Driving Test?

The test is the same in a manual or an automatic. You drive for about 35 minutes. You can make up to 15 minor faults, but one serious or dangerous fault means a fail.

Read a number plate from 20 metres.
Answer one “tell me” question before driving and one “show me” question on the move.
Drive independently for 20 to 35 minutes using a sat nav or road signs.
Do one reversing exercise: parallel park, bay park, or pull up on the right and reverse.
Complete normal stops, a hill start and pulling out from behind a parked car.
Possibly carry out an emergency stop.

Who Teaches Manual Driving Lessons at Kudos Driving School?

Tooting manual lessons are taught by Kudos Driving School instructors who work from our Garratt Lane base and know SW17 junction by junction. Kudos was founded by Ammara, who has 20 years of teaching experience. Every instructor is DVSA-approved, every lesson is one-to-one, and you can ask for a female instructor.

DVSA Approved Instructors

Each Kudos instructor is a fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI). They passed DVSA's three-part qualification and are re-checked by DVSA while they teach. Look for the green ADI badge in the windscreen.

Female Manual Instructors

Kudos has female manual instructors covering Tooting. Mention it when you book and we will match you as soon as one is free. Price and lessons stay the same.

Dual-Control Tuition Car

Lessons are in a manual [car make and model] with dual controls. Your instructor can brake or use the clutch from the passenger side, which is reassuring when a bus pulls out or an ambulance appears behind you. Insured for tuition and serviced regularly.

How Does Kudos Support Nervous Manual Learners in Tooting?

Nervous learners in Tooting usually worry about the Broadway junction and about what to do if an ambulance comes up behind them near St George’s. Kudos tackles both with practice, not pressure. You learn the car in quiet Furzedown first, then meet the Broadway and blue lights one step at a time.

Furzedown first: Quiet streets until pulling away and stopping feel easy.
Broadway at quiet times: Your first trips through the junction are mid-morning or early afternoon, not rush hour or market day.
A blue-light drill: Mirror, signal, pull in where safe, wait, then move off calmly. Practised until it feels routine.
Stall plan: Handbrake, neutral, restart, bite, go.
Your pace: You decide when you are ready for the next step.
Dual controls: Help from your instructor is always one pedal away.

How Many Manual Driving Lessons Will You Need?

The DVSA average is about 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of private practice. Learners in Tooting who practise with family between lessons often need less, and anyone who has driven before may need 25 to 30 hours. At two hours a week, 45 hours takes about five to six months. Your instructor will give you your own estimate after the first lesson.

Manual Driving Lesson Prices in Tooting

Manual lessons in Tooting cost £37.50 per hour with Kudos, or £36.50 per hour in a 10-hour block.

Lesson or Course	Price	Details
Standard 2-Hour Lesson	£75	One lesson at a time
10-Hour Block Booking POPULAR	£365	£36.50 per hour
Intensive Course, 20 Hours	£730	Before a booked Morden or Mitcham test
Pass Plus Course, 6 Hours	£250	After you pass
Test-Day Package	On Enquiry	Warm-up drive and use of the car on test day

Book Your First Lesson

Recent Manual Test Passes in Tooting

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 Tooting We Cover for Manual Lessons

Kudos Driving School provides manual driving lessons across Tooting, with convenient pickup options from your home, workplace or a suitable local meeting point.

Neighbourhoods We Cover

Tooting Broadway
Tooting Bec
Upper Tooting
Furzedown
Summerstown
Tooting Common area

Convenient Pickup Points

Tooting Broadway station
Tooting Bec station
Tooting railway station
Your home or workplace

Pickup arrangements depend on your location and instructor availability.

Nearby Areas

Looking for lessons just outside Tooting? Explore our driving lesson pages for nearby South West London areas.

FAQ

ask us
anything

How much are manual driving lessons in Tooting?

£37.50 per hour with Kudos Driving School. A two-hour lesson costs £75, ten hours cost £365 and twenty hours cost £730.

Is Kudos based in Tooting?

Morden or Mitcham. Morden is at 10 Tudor Drive, SM4 4PE. Mitcham’s car tests are currently held at the Hilton Hotel, 101 Waddon Way, Croydon, CR9 4HH. Kudos prepares learners for both.

Is Morden or Mitcham easier?

Morden had the higher pass rate in 2025/26: 51.0% against 47.0% at Mitcham. Mitcham had the slightly shorter wait. Many Tooting learners book whichever has the earliest date.

Is Tooting Broadway hard to drive in a manual?

It is busy rather than difficult. Four roads meet at one set of lights, so the skills are lane choice, holding the bite in a queue and checking for pedestrians. Kudos builds up to it gradually.

What do I do if an ambulance comes up behind me?

Check your mirrors, signal, and pull in to the left where it is safe, without mounting the kerb or going through a red light. Once it has passed, move off calmly. Kudos practises this because St George’s Hospital is in Tooting.

Can I switch from automatic to manual lessons?

Yes. You can switch at any time. If you already hold an automatic licence, it counts as your provisional for manual cars, so no new theory test is needed.

Can my instructor book my test?

No. Since 12 May 2026, only learners can book or change car tests on GOV.UK. Your instructor will help you choose between Morden and Mitcham.

Do I need my theory test to start lessons?

No. You can start with a provisional licence. You need the theory pass before booking the practical test.

Can I practise in my own car?

Yes, with L plates, learner insurance and a supervisor aged 21 or over who has held a full manual licence for three years. Tooting is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, so check older cars on the TfL checker.

DVSA Approved · Tooting, South West London

Book Your Manual Driving Lessons in Tooting

Learn manual driving with Kudos Driving School from our Garratt Lane base. Build your confidence on Tooting's local roads, from quieter streets around Furzedown and Tooting Common to busier routes near Tooting Broadway. Manual lessons start from £37.50 per hour, with lessons available seven days a week. Call us or message us on WhatsApp to arrange your first lesson.

Call 020 3158 6710 WhatsApp Us

DVSA Approved
Fully Insured
7 Days a Week
Dual-Control Cars
Qualified Instructors