Chester Dual Control Cars

22/10/2026

22/10/2026

Bit of Thursday night reflection.

Today I had to say NO to a driving test tomorrow.

I don’t like doing that. But sometimes it’s the only responsible decision.

We will never compromise on safety. And we will always be honest with you, even when it’s not what you want to hear.

And the frustrating thing? This wasn’t my client’s fault.

She genuinely believed she was test ready.

She came to us after her instructor’s car had reportedly caught fire a few days earlier. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to arrange an alternative car through her instructor, so she found us independently.

But just one day before her test.

Had she come to us sooner, there might have been time to address some of the issues. Sadly, there simply wasn’t enough time.

The result?

❌ £62 lost

❌ A wasted test appointment

❌ Potentially another long wait for a test

But at least she hasn’t thrown good money after bad.

We don’t take people to test knowing they’re not ready. That would be cruel.

A driving test isn’t just about being able to drive from A to B. You need to be confident and competent across a wide variety of roads, situations and manoeuvres.

If your instructor hasn’t recently taken you on different types of roads, practised all the manoeuvres with you, or given you an honest assessment of your readiness, it’s worth asking yourself:

Am I actually ready for my test?

And if you’re not sure, that’s exactly why we’re here.

🚗 Got a driving test coming up?

Check your test readiness before it’s too late.

https://chesterdualcontrolcars.com/driving-test-readiness-assessment-chester

Update:

The good news? She's already managed to secure another test date, and we're going to work together to make sure she's genuinely ready this time.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.

06/10/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Jack! 🎉

Jack passed his test in Chester today, gaining his full manual licence with just 4 driving faults. A great drive! 👏🚗

Jack had his 2-hour pre-test assessment on Sunday with Abbie — which was actually Abbie’s first time working with Chester Dual Control Cars!

After the assessment, Abbie was more than happy with Jack’s driving and gave him the green light for test day. Today she took him back to Chester for the real thing… and he delivered. ✅

Just 4 faults and a full manual licence. Brilliant result, Jack!

And a pretty good start for Abbie too — first CDC job, first pass! 💚

Need a car and instructor for your upcoming driving test? We start with a 2-hour assessment to make sure you’re test-ready, then if approved, we can provide the car, warm-up and instructor support on test day.

Chester Dual Control Cars — In control on test day.

28/09/2026

Tonight I posted a couple of urgent jobs into my instructor network.

They haven’t been easy to fill — and, as sometimes happens, it sparked a bit of debate about whether instructors should be taking on pupils so close to their driving test.

But actually, that debate is exactly why I started this service.

Because short notice doesn’t automatically mean not test ready.

Sometimes people CAN drive.

Sometimes their instructor becomes unavailable.

Sometimes they’ve been learning privately and don’t have access to a suitable car for the test.

Sometimes their own car isn’t suitable or insured.

Sometimes they’ve moved area, had a cancellation come up, or simply need an independent assessment and a lesson or two to polish the final few things.

And yes — sometimes we assess someone and tell them they’re not ready. We will never knowingly put an unsafe candidate forward for a test just because they’ve paid us.

But I don’t believe someone who can drive safely should automatically lose their chance to sit a test simply because they don’t have an instructor or suitable car available.

That’s why we assess first.

And amongst tonight’s debate, I also received a really lovely message from a new PDI/ADI who wanted to support what I’m building and join our instructor network.

That’s what I want this network to be about.

Good instructors helping good instructors — and giving test-ready drivers somewhere to turn when their original plan falls apart.

Today alone we carried out 3 successful assessments, supported 1 successful driving test, booked 2 more tests in, and received another 2 enquiries for assessment and test support this week.

This service was never about promising everyone a car for their test.

It’s about giving people a fair chance to demonstrate that they’re ready — and, when they are, helping them get across that final hurdle. 🚗💙

And judging by the demand, it’s a service that’s very much needed.

28/09/2026

🎉 ANOTHER TEST PASS! 🎉

Huge congratulations to Chris on a successful driving test at Oswestry Test Centre after only passing theory last Thursday!! 🥳🚗✅

And what a day it’s been at Chester Dual Control Cars…

✅ 3 successful assessments
✅ 1 driving test PASS
✅ 2 manual tests booked following assessments
📩 2 new assessment & test-day enquiries for this week

Our Test Ready Assessments are designed for drivers who already have a test booked and need an independent assessment of their standard — particularly if they need access to a suitable dual-control car for test day.

If you’ve got a driving test coming up and need assessment, preparation and/or a dual-control car for your test, get in touch.

📍 Chester & surrounding test centres
🚗 Automatic & manual options subject to availability
📅 Short-notice enquiries welcome

Assessment first. Test ready. Car sorted. ✅

16/09/2026

Made up for James, who has passed his driving test this morning at Chester with a clean sheet!!

James came to us after having a break from learning (and four previous fails) and after the initial assessment it was clear he could drive. He didn’t have a test booked so once he got a test we fitted in a couple of lessons including a mock and voila!! 👏👏🤩🚙

10/09/2026

👏👏👏Huge Congratulations to Callum Davies who passed his manual driving test this morning with Kirstie, after contacting us a week ago to help get him test ready and take him to test.

Well done Callum, so happy we could help you and you didn’t lose your test fee!! 🥳🎉

08/09/2026

The early bird catches the worm, indeed!

Congratulations to Marlene who passed on the 7:03am test 👀 this morning at Chester, after contacting us a couple of weeks ago after a failed attempt.

Marlene knew her biggest issue was test nerves, which is why we provide access to Diane Hall’s Test Nerve course worth £44.95 for free when you book with us!

It certainly worked resulting in only 1 driver fault 🥳 Well done Marlene and enjoy your new freedom!

11/08/2026

Huge congratulations to Graham for getting his licence today!

Graham came to us about 3 weeks ago after his previous instructor lost his licence and was unable to teach.
1 assessment and 3x weekly sessions to raise confidence and work on reverse bay parking, have proven that he’s ready to drive unaccompanied 🙂

Well done Graham and enjoy driving your new car the 400m to work 🤣🚙