Location Overview – Wantage is a historic market town in Oxfordshire, located in the scenic Vale of White Horse and known as the birthplace of King Alfred the Great. The town centre features 17th and 18th-century buildings, cobbled streets, and a variety of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants. Wantage hosts regular markets, including a farmers’ market and special seasonal events, which contribute to its strong sense of community. Nearby attractions include the Ridgeway National Trail and the Uffington White Horse, with local history explored at the Vale and Downland Museum. Although Wantage does not have its own train station, it is well connected by road, with Didcot Parkway station just a 20-minute drive away for rail services to London.
Our Driving Course Types – Available in Wantage:
We cater for both business and private clients across the UK. Our courses include:
Company Vehicle Training – Tailored courses for car and van drivers in business fleets
UK Driving Familiarisation – Designed for drivers who are new to UK roads and driving culture
Young Driver Development – Confidence-building sessions for younger or newly qualified drivers
Motorway Confidence Coaching – Helping drivers feel safer and more in control on motorways
Motorhome Handling Courses – Focused training to build confidence driving larger leisure vehicles
Pre-Court Driving Courses – Supportive training for those facing speeding or other driving-related convictions
Driving Confidence Courses – For nervous drivers or those returning to driving after a break
Advanced & Defensive Driving – Bespoke training tailored to enhance skill, awareness, and safety
High-Performance Vehicle Training – Specialist coaching for handling powerful or performance vehicles
We provide nationwide coverage across the UK and deliver on-road training directly at your preferred location using your own vehicle. The training is customised to suit your specific needs, whether you are a business or private client.
What Our Courses Cover:
Our advanced and defensive driver training is tailored to cover a broad range of key areas, depending on the specific course selected and the individual skills and experience of each driver. Some of the core topics we typically address include:
* Enhancing anticipation and forward-planning skills
* Developing greater speed awareness and control
* Improving driver mindset and attitude behind the wheel
* Mastering safer driving techniques across motorways, rural roads, and urban environments
* Deepening knowledge of road rules and driving regulations
* Understanding the causes of road rage and how to manage emotional responses
* Practising essential manoeuvres with confidence and precision
* Building skills for driving safely in adverse weather conditions
* Recognising different types of skids and how to respond effectively
* Adopting more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly driving habits
* Learning to better anticipate the behaviour of other road users
These points offer a general overview; some may be more relevant to certain drivers, while others might not. This emphasises the customised nature of our training.
Discover Our Course Options and Durations:
Our UK-wide courses are available for both van and car drivers. Here’s an overview of the different duration options:
- One Half-Day 3.5hrs – The shortest course option in our range. It’s perfect for companies training multiple drivers or for those who feel they only need a half day.
- Two Half Days – 2 x 3.5hrs – This option is ideal for those who can’t commit to a full day of driving and prefer splitting the training into two sessions for better retention. Drivers often receive “homework” between sessions to practice what was covered, helping reinforce learning. It’s a popular choice for older drivers.
- Full day (7hr) – A full-day course is more cost-effective per session than two separate 3.5-hour sessions and works well for those with not much available time. This option is also ideal if your employer has requested the training or if you feel a full day would be more suitable for you. For business clients, we also offer the flexibility to split a full day into AM and PM sessions.
- Longer Sessions – For those with specific driving challenges or who haven’t driven in some time, we offer extended courses spread over several weeks. These courses are perfect for individuals needing more comprehensive training to address long-standing issues, often those suffering significant driving anxiety or post-RTC stress. These longer sessions run over 3,4, and 5 x 3,5hr sessions.
Get in touch today for more information about how we can help you. Either use the contact form on this page or call us.
Our driver training covers a wide range of roads, some of which can include:
A417 – This road runs from Streatley, passing through Wantage’s marketplace, and continues westward through East Challow and Faringdon, leading to Lechlade and Gloucester.
A338 – A major route that begins at Poole in Dorset and extends north to Besselsleigh in Oxfordshire, passing through Wantage and connecting to the M4 motorway at Junction 14.
A417 Link Road – Also known as King Alfred Way, this newly opened road connects the A417 east of Wantage to the A338 north of Wantage, providing improved access to the Kingsgrove housing development and reducing congestion in the town centre.
Wantage Road (Harwell) – Located in the village of Harwell, this street extends into Rowstock and is part of the local road network in the Vale of White Horse district.
Reading Road – This road links Wantage to the nearby town of Reading, facilitating regional travel.
These roads are integral to Wantage’s transportation infrastructure, supporting both local travel and regional connectivity.
Road Safety – Risks and Hazards in Wantage
The A417 and A338 are among the most hazardous roads in the Wantage area, each presenting unique safety concerns.
A417 (Reading Road)
The A417, particularly the stretch between East Challow and Wantage, is notorious for its poor road conditions, including deep potholes and frequent flooding. These issues have led to vehicles becoming stranded. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of maintenance, with some even creating dedicated online groups to discuss the ongoing problems.
A338 (Station Road)
The A338, known as Station Road in Wantage, has been the site of several serious accidents.
Both roads are crucial for local connectivity, but have been identified as high-risk due to their respective issues. Ongoing concerns about road maintenance and safety continue to be raised by the community.