Welcome to
START-UP Driver Training

On this site you can find out all you need to know about learning to drive in Sunderland with START-UP.

We Offer:

We Welcome:

We Cover:

The whole of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, including these postcodes:
SR1, SR2, SR3, SR4, SR5 and SR6.

With START-UP you'll START RIGHT!

For driving lessons in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


Learning to Drive

Learning to drive can be a difficult and sometimes frustrating experience, finding the right instructor who can help you through the learning process can be equally frustrating. Please feel free to give me a call to discuss your needs and for any advice, and I can hopefully put you on the right track to achieve your full UK driving Licence.

Before you start to learn to drive you will need your provisional driving license, you can apply for this online using the link on the right.

Before you can take the practical test you will need to pass the Theory Test, which I can help you with. You can use the DSA link on the right to take you to the DSA's online booking service.

The amount of lessons needed varies enormously, some people can take under 20 hours but others may need 100+, although these are rare exceptions. According to the DSA, the average person in the UK takes around 45 hours with a professional instructor, with an additional 20 hours of private practice.

To learn to drive in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


The Driving Instructor

That's me, Ernie Baister. I'm a DSA registered and approved instructor and have been teaching in the Sunderland area for quite a number of years now, previously working for one of the larger local driving schools. Maybe you have a friend or relative who has taken lessons with me?

I'm friendly, patient and reliable (yes I know, like all the others, the difference being I'm telling the truth!) and a non smoker.

I take a modern approach to driver training, which means not just teaching the procedures to pass a test, but also trying to develop a thought process with pupils, and making sure the pupil knows the reason behind the procedure.

A pupil who has good procedure along with a good thought process has not only a much greater chance of passing the test, but will also be a much better and safer driver.


Me and the learner car

To contact this driving instructor in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


The Learner Car

The car I use is a Seat Ibiza 1.2sx. It is fitted with Dual Controls (just in case!) ABS and dual airbags, best of all it has automatic climate control for those hot summer days.

Apart from the fact that this car won the WhatCar 'Car of The Year' award in 2003, 2004 and 2005, I chose this car because after testing the usual Corsa's, Clio's, 206's, this car was easily the best to drive and in my opinion the best to learn in.

I must also add that every pupil who has come to me from another driving school has mentioned that the car was much better to drive than the previous car they were learning in.


The learner car

For a driving lesson in this learner car in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


Cost of Driving Lessons

A beginners course of 5 one hour lessons is £50 with the first lesson being FREE! So if you're not happy after your first hour just walk away.

Beginners course£ 50.00
A single 1 hour lesson£ 16.00
Block of 10 hours£150.00
The 6 Hour Pass Plus£110.00

Please contact me for info and prices on semi-intensive courses.

The cost of driving lessons in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


Pass Plus Courses

Pass Plus is a course of lessons designed to enable you to gain more experience behind the wheel of a car. Whilst there is no test at the end, you will receive a certificate to show that you have successfully completed the course.

Pass Plus is backed by insurance companies, the government and by the Driving Standards Agency.

The course consists of 6 modules, these are:

As Pass Plus is recognised by the car insurance industry, many insurance firms offer a good discount. Further information can be obtained by contacting me, or by using the Pass Plus link on the right.

For a Pass Plus course in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
call 07979 305 366
or email: ebaister@aol.com


Contact the Driving School

For more information or to arrange a lesson please feel free to call me on:

07979 305 366

If I can't answer please leave a message along with your number and I will call back ASAP. To contact me via email my address is: ebaister@aol.com

The hours I work are:

I look forward to hearing from you.

Ernest Baister
5 Elstree Square
Carley Hill
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR5 2QU