Frequently Asked Questions

Sterzio is a UK-based platform built to help learner drivers find and book lessons with DVSA-registered driving instructors in their local area. Whether you're just starting out or getting back behind the wheel after some time away, we make it straightforward to search for instructors, read genuine reviews, and get booked in without the hassle.

We've designed Sterzio to take the stress out of finding the right instructor. You can browse detailed instructor profiles, compare pricing and availability side by side, and manage everything from your personal dashboard. There are no hidden charges — what you see is what you pay. Plus, if you ever run into any trouble, our support team is here to help sort things out.

Pop your postcode into the search bar on our homepage and choose whether you'd prefer manual or automatic lessons. We'll show you a list of available instructors nearby, and you can narrow things down by price, ratings, car type, and time slots that suit you.

We're currently focused on the West Midlands and expanding across the UK. Have a go at searching your area — if we haven't reached you just yet, we're likely on the way. You can also register your interest and we'll let you know as soon as instructors are available near you.

Everything on Sterzio is built around transparency and putting learners first. Every instructor is DVSA-registered and properly vetted, pricing is upfront with no surprises, and you've got full flexibility to book, reschedule, or cancel. We also track your learning progress, let you log mistakes to revise later, and even tell you when you might be ready for your test based on your hours and skills.

Absolutely. When you search for an instructor or sign up, you'll be asked whether you'd like manual or automatic. We'll only show you instructors who teach in your preferred transmission type, so you won't have to wade through irrelevant results.

Every instructor on Sterzio must hold a valid DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) licence, carry appropriate instructional and public liability insurance, and pass our documentation and identity checks. We also monitor ongoing feedback from learners and track reliability scores, so instructors are held to a high standard throughout.

It varies from person to person — everyone picks things up at their own pace. As a general guide, the DVSA recommends around 45 hours of professional tuition alongside roughly 20 hours of private practice. Some people manage with fewer hours, particularly if they're learning in an automatic or practising regularly between lessons. Sterzio tracks your progress and will give you a readiness recommendation based on your completed hours and skill development.

That depends on what works best for you. A manual licence covers both manual and automatic vehicles, so it gives you more options down the line. On the other hand, automatic lessons tend to be simpler to pick up, especially if you're mainly going to be driving in town. Either way, we've got qualified instructors ready to teach whichever you prefer.

Of course. We want you to feel comfortable and confident during your lessons. If your current instructor isn't quite the right fit, just hop into your dashboard, leave a review if you'd like to, and browse for someone new in your area. There's no penalty for switching.

Share your unique referral code with friends who are learning to drive. For every three friends who sign up and subscribe, you'll earn a free month on your subscription. You can track your referral progress in your dashboard — it's a great way to save while helping your mates find quality instructors.

We don't store card details on our servers. All subscriptions are handled securely through PayPal — both learner and instructor payments are managed as recurring PayPal subscriptions that you can cancel at any time. We never take percentage cuts from lesson fees — instructors keep what they earn, and there are no hidden transaction charges.

You can manage all your bookings from your dashboard. Cancellation policies may vary by instructor, so do check their profile for specifics. We recommend giving at least 24 hours' notice where possible to avoid any charges.

Yes! We've got a parent dashboard feature that lets parents or guardians link to a learner's account using a unique code. They can see lesson history, progress updates, and areas that need more practice — all without needing to log in as the learner.

Sterzio monitors your lesson hours, skill mastery across key areas like roundabouts, parking, and motorway driving, and gives you a test readiness score. Once you've built up enough experience and your scores are looking strong, we'll recommend that you consider booking your practical test. It's based on the DVSA's guidelines and your actual progress, not guesswork.