OUR Trader of the Week is Paul Stafford.

We took time out to chat to Paul about his brilliant driving school.

What is your name? Paul Stafford

What is the name of your business? Pauls 5 Star Driving Tuition

How long have you been a driving instructor? Nine Years

What has been your most frightening experience while teaching driving? Rear shunted by a motorist operating their mobile phone whilst on a main road.

Do you teach all ages how to drive? I have taught pupils from 16 years of age claiming PIP up to 60 years of age.

What is the biggest mistake people make when learning to drive? Pupils tend to approach junctions and situations too quick.

Do you use a special car or can people learn to drive in their own vehicle? I use a car supplied by the AA and fitted with dual controls. This gives me as an instructor less grey hairs. I will use a pupils car but only when competent enough in mine.

How many hours of tuition does it take to pass a driving test? According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), on average, it takes around 45 hours of lessons to learn to drive, with an addition of 22 hours of practising.

Where do you teach people to drive? I teach in the three counties area, particularly Ledbury to Hereford and all the villages and towns within a seven-mile radius.

What is Ledbury like as a town to operate in? Ledbury is a wonderful town to operate in as it has many features for the early to budding learner driver. The local people are fantastic and on the whole most people are very curtious and understanding.

Anything else you would like to add? Anybody that knows me, knows how much I love my job. Its wonderful to give something back and I really enjoy driving along seeing those I’ve helped attain their driving licence and freedom. Waiting times are very long, so plan lessons well in advance. Study for the Theory test early to help speed up the process. Also as local instructors we all get on, talk and meet up.