Find your feet.
Get comfortable with the car, learn the controls and build the foundations. Clear explanations and time to practise, without the pressure.
DRIVING LESSONS · BARNSTAPLE
Confidence
drives you
forward.
Your first lesson. Your next chapter.
Learn at your pace with calm, patient tuition from Element Driving School.
Lessons from £40 per hour
With a 10-hour manual block booking (£400). All lessons last two hours.
YOUR JOURNEY, YOUR PACE
More confidence.
Every lesson.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on what you already know, your lessons are shaped around you.
Make it click.
Develop your observation, judgement and road skills in and around Barnstaple. Work on the things you need, at a pace that suits you.
Ready for the road.
Bring your skills together with independent driving and mock test practice, preparing for safe driving beyond test day.
L
Time to settle in. Time to improve.
All lessons last two hours, giving you space to practise and reflect.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Mark Richardson
Founder & Approved Driving Instructor
Royal Engineers background.
Defence School of Transport teaching experience.
THE ELEMENT APPROACH
A local school.
A shared standard.
Element Driving School helps learners build the confidence and skills for safe, independent driving. Our approach is simple: patient tuition, clear guidance and progress at your pace.
Founded by Mark Richardson, Element draws on his military teaching experience and work with learners in Barnstaple. Mark is currently our instructor, and we already have one trainee working towards qualification. We welcome enquiries from prospective and qualified instructors as our school grows.
We support nervous learners and adapt tuition around individual needs, including learners with ADHD and autism. Tell us what helps you learn.
Talk to Element about lessons ↗LOOKING AHEAD · 2027
A new way
to move forward.
Automatic driving lessons are planned for 2027. The same patient Element approach, with another way to learn.
Launch dates, availability, vehicles and prices will be confirmed closer to the time.
Interested in automatic?
Let us know through our enquiry form and mention automatic tuition for 2027.
Enquire about automatic ↗STRAIGHTFORWARD PRICING
Lessons from
£40 per hour.
£40 per hour applies to a 10-hour manual block booking (£400). Individual lessons cost £45 per hour (£90 for two hours). All standard tuition is delivered in two-hour lessons. Automatic tuition prices will be confirmed ahead of the planned 2027 launch.
PAY AS YOU GO
Two-hour manual lesson
£90per lesson
£45 per hour
- Two hours of manual tuition
- Learning tailored to your progress
- Lessons in Barnstaple test areas
SAVE £50 AGAINST INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
BLOCK BOOKING
10 hours of manual tuition
£400per block
Five two-hour lessons · £40 per hour
- All the benefits of individual lessons
- £80 per two-hour lesson
- Time to build consistent progress
£100 booking deposit. Please confirm availability and payment arrangements with Mark before paying. Bookings are subject to confirmation. Read the terms and conditions before booking.
LOCAL ROADS. LASTING SKILLS.
Learn in
Barnstaple.
Lessons start and finish at Barnstaple Bus Station, with training in Barnstaple test areas.
You’ll learn in a white, manual Volkswagen Golf Mk8. Weekday lessons only, subject to availability.
Find the meeting point ↗YOUR MEETING POINT
Barnstaple Bus Station
Meet in the lay-by or outside The Voice, as confirmed with Mark before your lesson.
Loads Google Maps when selected.
START / FINISHOpen directions ↗
THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
Pass stories.
New possibilities.
Selected learner successes with our founder, Mark, before Element launched. New Element pass stories will be added here.
Louis Austin
18 hours of tuition
23 July 2026 · Tuition with Mark
George Coulthard
20 hours of tuition
24 June 2026 · Tuition with Mark
Nathan Forster
16 hours of tuition
7 June 2026 · Tuition with Mark
Every learner’s journey is different. Previous results do not guarantee a pass or a particular number of lessons.
LEARNER EXPERIENCES
Your words.
Our motivation.
Choosing a driving school is personal. Learner feedback helps you get a feel for the Element approach.
Google reviews
Hear from our learners.
Read feedback from learners taught by Mark on our Google business profile.
Read our Google reviews ↗Already learned with us? Share your experience.
Leave a Google review ↗Google profile: Mark Richardson Driving Instructor
Do you offer automatic lessons?
Automatic tuition is planned for 2027. Dates, prices and availability will be confirmed ahead of launch. Send an enquiry mentioning automatic lessons if you’re interested.
I’ve never driven before. Can I book?
Yes. Lessons are tailored to your starting point. We’ll begin with the basics and build your confidence step by step.
Do you teach nervous learners?
Yes. Our approach is calm and patient, and we’ll discuss what helps you feel comfortable. If you have ADHD, autism or particular learning needs, let us know when you enquire.
How long is each lesson?
All lessons last two hours. A standard lesson costs £90, or you can book 10 hours for £400, delivered as five two-hour lessons.
Where do we meet?
Lessons start and finish at Barnstaple Bus Station. Training takes place in Barnstaple test areas.
How do I book and manage my lessons?
Use the enquiry button to send your details through Total Drive. We’ll contact you to discuss availability. Once booked, you can use the Total Drive app to manage your lessons.
Do you offer weekend lessons?
Lessons take place on weekdays only. Contact Element to discuss current availability.
What if I need to cancel?
Please give at least 48 hours’ notice. Late cancellations and missed lessons may be charged up to the applicable lesson rate, reflecting the actual loss after reasonable efforts to refill the slot. See the terms and conditions for details.
Can I use the car for my driving test?
Test use must be agreed with Mark in advance and depends on you being assessed as test-ready. The car is not hired out to candidates who have not trained with Mark.
GROW WITH ELEMENT
Your next chapter.
New opportunities to learn, ride and build a career with a local school.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING & FRANCHISE
Become part of Element.
Support through the three ADI qualifying stages, no joining fee and a £250 monthly franchise fee once you join us.
Explore instructor opportunities ↗MOTORCYCLE TRAINING · COMING SOON
A new direction. On two wheels.
We’re planning CBT and motorcycle licence training. This service is not available yet and bookings are not open.
See what’s planned ↗YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE
Let’s get you
moving.
Tell us a little about yourself.
We’ll work out the next step together.