Who teaches the lessons?
Mark Angelo Bailey, a fully qualified DVSA approved driving instructor, provides patient one-to-one manual tuition.
DVSA Approved Driving Instructor · Southampton
Driving lessons
in Southampton.
A-Star Driving School is Mark Angelo Bailey — a DVSA approved driving instructor helping learners across Southampton.
- DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
- Fully insured
- Teaching since 2010
- Dual-control car
Driving tuition
Choose the right driving lessons for you.
Learn from the beginning, prepare for a test, rebuild your confidence or develop your skills after passing. Every lesson is one-to-one and shaped around your current experience.
01
Beginner lessons
Never driven before? Start here — calm, patient first lessons that build real confidence.
02
Manual driving lessons
Structured one-to-one manual tuition, from clutch control to test-ready.
03
Intensive & semi-intensive courses
Pass sooner with condensed courses tailored to your experience and test date.
04
Refresher lessons
Passed a while ago but lost your confidence? Get back on the road at your pace.
05
Pass Plus
Sharpen your skills after passing — and potentially lower your insurance.
06
Motorway lessons
Build confidence at higher speeds with proper motorway tuition.
At a glance
Driving lessons in Southampton, explained.
Which test centres are covered?
Lessons can include roads and local driving conditions around Southampton Maybush and Lee-on-the-Solent practical test centres.
Which areas are covered?
Coverage includes Southampton East, Central and West, plus Hedge End, Netley, Bursledon, Eastleigh, Lee-on-the-Solent, Totton and nearby areas.
Local coverage
Where A-Star provides driving lessons.
Mark teaches learners across Southampton and surrounding SO and PO postcode areas. These are the main areas covered; if you are just outside them, ask whether collection is available.
SO18–SO19
Southampton East
Bitterne, Sholing, Woolston, Thornhill, Harefield
SO14–SO17
Southampton Central
Portswood, St Denys, Bevois Valley, Newtown, Ocean Village
SO15
Southampton West
Shirley, Freemantle, Millbrook, Maybush
SO30
Hedge End & West End
Hedge End, West End, Botley, Moorgreen
Quick answers
Questions before your first lesson.
Straight answers about getting started, lesson planning and practical test preparation.
Read all FAQsI've never driven before — is that ok?
Absolutely — most of my learners start with no experience at all. Your first lessons are relaxed and unhurried, somewhere quiet, getting comfortable with the car before we build up. There's no such thing as a silly question and no pressure. Everyone learns at their own pace.
How many lessons will I need?
It varies from person to person, but the DVSA suggests most learners need around 40–45 hours of lessons plus private practice. After your first couple of lessons I'll give you an honest idea of where you're at and how many lessons you're likely to need for a confident first-time pass. Please visit www.gov.uk/ready-to-pass
Which test centres do you cover?
I teach on the real routes for both the Southampton (Maybush) and Lee-on-the-Solent practical test centres — so you'll be familiar with the actual roads and manoeuvres before your test day. Geographical knowledge builds confidence.
Do you offer intensive courses?
Yes — if you've got a test booked or need your licence quickly, I offer intensive and semi-intensive courses that condense your tuition into a shorter timeframe. I'll always be honest about what's realistic for a genuine first-time pass rather than just a quick one.
DVSA Approved
A fully qualified DVSA approved driving instructor — not a trainee.
Patient Tuition
Calm, friendly, one-to-one lessons at a pace that's right for you.
Know the Routes
Practise the real Maybush & Lee-on-the-Solent test routes before the day.
First-Time Passes
Teaching learners across Southampton since 2010, in a fully insured car.
2010
Teaching Southampton learners since
About A-Star Driving School
" It's the way you steer and that shift of gear".
Hello I'm Mark — the instructor behind A-Star Driving School.
My aim is to boost your driving ambition with simplicity at an affordable cost.
Help you to manage your composure and enjoy your lessons.
Each of the aims are taught with a plan, patience and clarity, getting you safely to test standard readiness and with expert tips for that 1st time pass.
Before that BIG DAY, my role is to share other responsibilities with you, setting the scenes, reflecting, keep track of your progress, positive feedback and help you with your confidence.
"The Practical test tips".
Watch this short video, www.gov.uk/ready-to-pass
- DVSA approved instructor — not a trainee
- Calm, patient one-to-one lessons at your pace
- The real Maybush & Lee-on-the-Solent test routes
- Beginners to test-ready, in a fully insured dual-control car
Happy learners from around Southampton.
Fresh licences, proud smiles and first-time passes — a few of the faces from behind the wheel.
Officially one of Southampton’s top 3 driving schools.
A-Star holds the ThreeBestRated® Certificate of Excellence — awarded after independent checks on reviews, ratings, history, satisfaction, trust and value. It’s the same care Mark brings to every single lesson.
Get started
Ready to get on the road?
Get in touch or ask me anything — I'll talk you through how many lessons you're likely to need, availability, and current prices. Book a TASTER lesson if needed. No pressure, no hard sell, just friendly advice to get you started.