Manual Driving Lessons

Driving Lessons In Ryde & across the Isle of Wight

Friendly & Patient Driving Instructor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rated 5/5 On google by local learners

DVSA-Approved Driving Instructor

Learning to drive a manual car gives you the freedom, confidence, and flexibility to drive almost any vehicle once you’ve passed your test. At Humphrey’s Driving School, highly qualified instructor Les Humphrey provides patient, professional manual driving lessons in Your Area, helping learners of all abilities achieve safe driving skills for life.

Why Choose Manual Driving Lessons?

Passing your test in a manual car opens more doors than automatic-only training. Here’s why many learners prefer to start with manual:

Greater flexibility – Drive both manual and automatic cars once you’ve passed.
Lower running costs – Manual cars are often cheaper to buy, insure, and maintain.
Better car control – Learn how to handle gears and clutch smoothly in any situation.
Confidence on all roads – Be prepared for traffic, hills, and every type of driving condition.

With manual training, you’ll gain skills that will serve you well for years to come.

What You’ll Learn in Your Manual Lessons

Every lesson with Humphreys Driving School is structured to build your confidence step by step. You’ll cover:

Clutch control and smooth gear changes
Moving off and stopping safely
Hill starts and handling traffic queues
Roundabouts, junctions, and dual carriageways
Overtaking safely and dealing with busy roads
Manoeuvres needed for the practical driving test

By the time you’re ready for your test, you’ll feel confident not only with exam routes but also with everyday driving.

Lessons for All Learners

No two learners are the same, which is why Les tailors every lesson to your pace and needs.

Complete beginners – Start with the basics and progress steadily.
Experienced learners – Focus on refining technique and tackling more complex roads.
Nervous drivers – Patient, calm guidance to help you feel at ease behind the wheel.

Whatever your experience, you’ll always receive supportive, professional tuition designed to help you succeed.

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I’m Les, the instructor behind Humphreys Driving School. I’ve been helping learners across Ryde and the Isle of Wight for many years, building a reputation for reliability, patience, and results. My goal is simple: to make your driving journey enjoyable, stress-free, and successful.

Your driving instructor plays a big role in your learning journey. With years of experience as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), Les Humphrey has built a reputation for being friendly, reliable, and highly professional. Learners often comment on his patience, clear explanations, and ability to make lessons enjoyable while staying focused on progress.

I’m proud to be recognised among the top 6% of DVSA-approved driving instructors in the UK. This means I’ve been independently assessed at the very highest level, giving you the reassurance that your lessons are delivered to national standards of excellence.

When you learn with Les, you’re not just preparing for your test — you’re learning the skills for safe, confident driving long after you’ve passed.

See my Qualifications

See More About Us

Why Choose Humphrey’s Driving School?

Local expertise – Covering [Your Town/Area], including local test routes.
Flexible scheduling – Lessons arranged at times that suit you.
Supportive teaching – Patient instruction tailored to your learning style.
Proven success – Many happy learners who have gone on to pass with confidence.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Erin Street

Passed my driving test first time with Leslie after only 3 months of lessons. He was really kind and patient and helped me so much 🙏

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lacey Yasmin

Love my lessons with Les, passed first time thanks him. He’s great at catering to the time that you need for your lessons aswell as providing many grandad jokes To keep it fun. Thanks again Les you’re a great instructor !!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many manual driving lessons will I need?
Every learner is different, but most people need around 40–50 hours of professional lessons before they’re ready for the practical test. With lessons in Newport and across the Isle of Wight, Les will assess your progress and give honest feedback so you know when you’re ready for test day.

What car will I learn in?
You’ll learn in a modern dual-controlled manual car that’s fully insured for learner drivers. It’s smooth, safe, and ideal for building confidence on the roads around Newport, Cowes, Ryde, and Sandown.

Can I switch from automatic to manual lessons?
Yes. If you’ve started in an automatic but want the flexibility of a manual licence, you can switch at any time. Many learners in Newport and the surrounding towns choose manual lessons for more long-term freedom.

Do you offer lessons for nervous drivers?
Absolutely. Les is known for calm, supportive teaching that helps nervous drivers feel at ease. Whether you’re driving through Newport town centre traffic or practising on quieter country roads near Carisbrooke or Wootton, lessons are tailored to your comfort and pace.

Where do you offer manual driving lessons?
Lessons are available across the Isle of Wight, including Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, and Ventnor. Training also covers routes around the Newport Driving Test Centre, so you’ll feel confident and familiar with local roads before your test.

❓ FAQs – Manual Driving Lessons Isle of Wight

1. What is the benefit of learning to drive in a manual car?
Manual driving lessons give you full control of the car, often make you a more versatile driver, and mean you can legally drive both manual and automatic vehicles once you pass.

2. How long does it take to pass a manual driving test?
Every learner is different. Some pass in around 30–40 hours of lessons, while others may need more practice. Our Isle of Wight instructors will tailor lessons to your progress.

3. Where will I take my manual driving test on the Isle of Wight?
Most learners use the DVSA test centre in Newport (Riverway, PO30). Our instructors cover local routes including Coppins Bridge roundabout, Medina Way, and rural lanes to prepare you for test day.

4. Are manual lessons harder than automatic lessons?
Manual lessons require learning clutch control and gear changes, but with practice most learners quickly get the hang of it. Many students enjoy the extra control a manual car provides.

5. Can I switch from manual to automatic lessons if I find it difficult?
Yes. If you decide you’d prefer automatic lessons, we can arrange this. However, passing your test in a manual car gives you more flexibility, as you’ll be licensed to drive both.

6. Do you offer block booking discounts for manual driving lessons?
Yes. We offer competitive prices for manual driving lessons on the Isle of Wight, with discounts available for block bookings.

7. Do you teach nervous learners in manual cars?
Absolutely. Our patient instructors are experienced in helping nervous drivers build confidence at a steady pace in manual vehicles.

Apply for your first professional driving licence here: DVSA

Book Your Manual Driving Lessons Today

👉 Ready to start learning? Book your manual driving lessons in Ryde with Humphrey’s Driving Lessons today. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on existing skills, Les will guide you every step of the way.

Call now or send a message to secure your first lesson and take the first step towards driving independence.