System Driving School

Business Details

50+ Years

experience

System Driving School: Expert Driving Lessons in Essex

System Driving School was founded in 1971 by Sidney De'Cort, a former Class One police driver, who wished to bring the police system of car control to the general public. Originally based at Upminster Bridge, the school grew from a single instructor to become one of the largest driving schools in Havering. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Kevin De'Cort, we operate across Essex and Havering with over 100 qualified instructors. We provide both manual and automatic driving lessons using modern, dual-controlled vehicles, including hybrid and electric options. Our instructors are DBS-checked and selected for their friendly, confident approach to teaching. We offer flexible pick-up locations and two-hour lessons that represent excellent value for money. Learners can book and pay for lessons online through our dedicated portal, and we provide discounted packages for beginners.

Our training follows the System of Car Control, ensuring pupils develop safe driving skills for life, not merely to pass the test. We also offer comprehensive instructor training programmes with affordable payment plans, accredited by the DVSA ORDIT register. Our headquarters at Mapline House in Rayleigh houses a dedicated support team that manages administration, recruitment, and instructor liaison. We are proud to maintain over 4,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, reflecting our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. As a family-run business, we continue to uphold traditional values while embracing the latest technology to serve our community.

Services

Manual driving lessons Automatic driving lessons Instructor training Two-hour lessons Beginner discounts Online booking Flexible pick-up Dual-controlled vehicles Hybrid and electric cars DBS-checked instructors

Details

Year established: 1971

Highlights and features

We have over 50 years of teaching experience.
Our instructors are DBS-checked and hand-picked.
We cover twelve local driving test centres.
We offer both manual and automatic vehicles.
Our two-hour lessons provide exceptional value.

Associations and certifications

DVSA ORDIT

Website

Update Listing

Services

Manual driving lessons

Our manual driving lessons follow the police System of Car Control, delivered by DBS-checked instructors in modern dual-controlled vehicles. We offer flexible two-hour sessions with pick-up from home, work, or college across Essex and Havering. Beginners benefit from discounted introductory packages, while structured lesson plans build lifelong safe driving skills beyond merely passing the test.

Automatic driving lessons

Automatic lessons use hybrid and electric vehicles such as the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Kona, providing a smooth learning experience without gear changes. Our instructors tailor each session to individual progress, covering all local test centre routes. Two-hour lessons ensure efficient skill development, and online booking allows convenient scheduling for learners preferring automatic transmission.

Instructor training

Our ORDIT-registered instructor training programme equips trainees to become fully qualified ADIs through comprehensive coaching by experienced trainers. Flexible payment plans start from 50 per week, making a new career accessible. Training includes practical tuition, classroom theory, and ongoing support, ensuring graduates meet the highest standards for teaching safe driving on today's busy roads.

Intensive driving courses

Intensive courses are available in 10, 20, or 40-hour blocks, designed for learners who wish to progress quickly towards their driving test. Lessons are scheduled flexibly around your commitments, using the same structured System of Car Control curriculum. Our instructors focus on test readiness while embedding safe driving habits for long-term confidence on the road.

Refresher driving lessons

Refresher lessons cater to qualified drivers seeking to regain confidence or update skills after a break from driving. Sessions address specific concerns such as motorway driving, parking, or navigating busy urban centres. Our patient instructors assess current ability and create a personalised plan, using dual-controlled cars for safety while rebuilding assurance behind the wheel.

People

Sidney De'Cort

Founder

Sidney founded System Driving School in 1971 after a career as a Class One police driver. He introduced the police System of Car Control to public tuition, growing the school from a single car to one of Havering's largest. His legacy continues through the school's commitment to safety-focused instruction.

Kevin De'Cort

Managing Director

Kevin joined as an ADI in the Rayleigh area before taking over the school in 2015. He expanded the business to over 100 instructors, modernising operations with online booking and a dedicated support hub. His mission remains making roads safer by teaching driving skills for life, not just test passes.

Gary Battison

Head of Instructor Training

Gary has spent 12 years as a leading driving instructor trainer in the South East. ADI and ORDIT qualified, he trains new instructors, coaches DIT trainers, and still teaches occasional pupils. He emphasises a moral commitment to producing instructors who teach safe driving for today's busy road conditions.

Jim Miller

Driving Instructor Trainer

Jim transitioned from teaching pupils with System Driving School to becoming a DVSA ORDIT trainer. He continues to teach occasional learners while training new instructors, instilling the philosophy that driving tuition must provide skills for a lifetime of safe driving, not merely test preparation.

Leah Reeve

Office Manager

Leah heads the admin support team at Mapline House, having built the online portal that assists instructors with pupil lessons. Her operational experience ensures instructors can focus on teaching while headquarters handles scheduling, billing, and customer liaison efficiently.

Questions

What areas do you cover for driving lessons?

We cover Essex and Havering, including Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend, and ten other local test centre areas with flexible pick-up locations.

Do you offer automatic driving lessons?

Yes, we provide automatic lessons in hybrid and electric vehicles such as the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Kona, with instructors across all our test centre areas.

How much do driving lessons cost?

Manual beginner lessons start from £31 per hour, with discounted packages for 2, 10, 20, or 40-hour blocks. An admin fee of £3 applies to online bookings.

Can I book lessons online?

Yes, our online portal allows you to search for available slots, book, and pay for lessons directly. You can also pay your instructor directly for subsequent lessons to avoid fees.

Do you provide instructor training?

We offer ORDIT-registered instructor training with flexible payment plans from £50 per week, led by experienced trainers who also coach new DIT trainers.

Are your instructors DBS checked?

All our instructors are DBS-checked and hand-picked for their friendly, confident approach, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for every pupil.