Cardrome Learner Centre

Fantastic experience: Very good place for learning to drive. Thanks Sean

Fantastic experience: This is where I learnt how to drive, 10/10 experience this helped me so much in the long run. You learn all the basics, they have fake traffic lights and roundabouts to get you used to real-life driving scenarios. Take your children here!

Negative experience: I was very disappointed to see that almost all of the white lines on the roads were faint or completely missing. Considering you're paying £20 to use this area, it would be good if it was maintained. Also, there were no traffic lights. Very disappointed

Fantastic experience: Very good place to teach anyone that is learning to drive from scratch. Great busy on the weekends but well worth it for the driver. The price has gone up from £15 to now £20 so you really need to stay there all day to get your money worth. Get your change from the petrol station next door to get your £1 coins to open the barricade. Highly recommend this place shame that the owner dues not spend money on painting the road markings.

Positive experience: Very good for learning how to drive Impractical as you need 20 pounds coins Roads are run down but good enough Still worth the price

Fantastic experience: The CBT team is amazing. The training was great and friendly, and we had a laugh at the same time. It gave me the confidence to pass on the first attempt. Thank you, and see you soon.

Negative experience: Usually bring my son here for lessons however today we have arrived and put 20.00 into the payment slot and the barriers have not not opened. No out of hours numbers and the office door is open so waiting and hoping someone arrives to let us in or refund me my 20.00. We have been here for 30 minutes so far and have a que of cars waiting to get in

Positive experience: Took my 16 year old grandson today and he had a great time learning the basics of driving and can't wait to go back. I phoned in the morning to ask if I had to pay a congestion charge and was told I did. However it is out of the zone so you don't need to pay congestion charge but you will need to check ulez charge to see if your car is able to go freely through this area. You can check on .gov. All in all a great day out for a very keen 16 year old. Just make sure you have your 20 £1 coins before setting out.

Fantastic experience: After an extended break from driving, we came here to get my confidence up. It's a wonderful place - like Richard Scarry's 'Busytown' although nobody was driving a car shaped like an apple. Keeping away from other cars where necessary was straightforward as every car has a licensed driver, and there's plenty of road features (T junctions, roundabouts, inclines for hill starts, parking spaces) to practice just about anything. I will definitely be back here to brush up my skills again before I hit the road.

Fantastic experience: My son has had 5 lessons now and really enjoys it, we may do another 5

Fantastic experience: Great place to teach your kids to drive. Fun day out always.

Fantastic experience: If only this was around when I was a teenager, would have quenched my thirst for driving. It's great here, but be warned bring a packed lunch as once you drive out you must pay again. No shops around except petrol station

Negative experience: The concept is great. The potholes and diminishing road markings are unacceptable. Pri ce has gone up, but there is no upgrade.

Negative experience: the parking is nice but £20 plus ulez.. I think it's a bit too expensiveb, you increased the Payment by £10 And nothing has changed in this park why

Positive experience: A few road surface issues and missing white lines marred this location. But honestly, don’t let that stop you. My 13-year old eldest drove 4 miles today on his first ever “lesson”. I came here 30 years ago and had been looking for a reason to revisit!

Fantastic experience: Great place to start learning driving. I’ve had 7-8 sessions at the Cardrome before went on the roads.

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic place to take young drivers to learn how to drive in a safe place

Positive experience: This area is actually larger than it appears and is quite suitable for driving training. Although it is a bit far from where we live, it's worth going. I initially took my wife to this area, and now I take my son, finding it very beneficial. It has been of great benefit to my son; he started driving right away. The only problem is that you still need coins to enter. Each time, 20 pieces of 1-pound coins are required. However, in today's world, this system should have already been made more modern. For instance, entry could be done with a payment card or through online payment with a provided digital code. By the way, there is a gas station near the area; you can both get fuel and do shopping there. Although we haven't needed it so far, I see some structures in the driving area; I don't know what's inside, but I assume driving lessons are given here. It seems like a nice starting point for novice drivers."

Negative experience: I have unblemished driving record of 30 years due to new rules hitting the motorist have bought new electric car, decided to go to Cardrome simply to get use to my new car not actually get use to roads as I have unblemished record. Sad to say it was a nightmare as it’s definitely not the Cardrome of yesteryear.Firstly one has to have £20 in coins to enter, No lighting whatsoever, water pot holes everywhere. I phoned Cardrome following morning lady operator would not listen to me she slammed phone down. So I paid £20 to drive on a broken unlit dirt track no road signs or crossings, extremely dangerous for younger learners, this place should be shut down it’s a danger to the public especially young learner drivers.. Cannot comprehend Havering Council not perusing this cesspit and ripping off the public. Utter disgrace, are we back in the early 1950’s whereby this may have been in place after the war.?

Negative experience: There is no option to pay by card. To gain entry, you must have £20 in coins, and that is a major inconvenience. The road surface is well below satisfactory. The state of the toilet facilities is the worst than some third world countries. The owner should invest in essentials and stop being greedy or shut the place altogether.

Negative experience: First time at Cardrome and what a disappointing experience. Opened in 1955, frozen in 1955. This place is in a serious need of an upgrade. Massive potholes and virtually non existence road markings making it extremely difficult for learners to navigate their way. Potholes putting a strain on your own car. Open till 9pm but no lights on their roads network, again a big issue for learners to drive in pitch dark on bumpy roads with poor visibility during shorter winter days. You have to bring in an exact £1 x 20 coins. Ok it's advertised on their website, but in this day and age, who carries a pot of quids. Probably good for managing your tax returns. Once paid, you can stay for as long as you want to, but with no basic facilities like toilets, it depends how long you can survive inside. There is a stinky filthy, no soap no toilet paper, single toilet, behind the auto garage but try to avoid it at all costs. Believe me it's not worth stepping into that dungeon. There were many learners inside, so imagine the amount of money they are making each day, but not reinvesting a single pence of it. Cardrome please bring this place to some decent standard. It's a shame that another facility like this doesn't exit in the neighbouring boroughs and towns and Cardrome is simply taking advantage of it.

Negative experience: Needs a bit of investment, similar to our roads, massive potholes, illegible road markings, non existent traffic lights, and people driving around like idiots ( BMW estate trying to drift) I won’t be returning shame as my dad took me there and I have taken both my sons there but that’s it, no evidence of any available toilets either.

Negative experience: As other have mentioned the site is run down and does need some work and maintenance to as the potholes are bad in areas but it is a quiet for new drivers to learn the basis

Negative experience: Dreadfully run down. Needs new tar mac and new paint. We're not talking pot holes I'm talking about massive holes, if you go a normal speed it will damage your car. If u drive too slow you get stuck. Until they invest, AVOID. Also you need 20 £1 coins. No card available.

Negative experience: AVOID !!! Due to the management and lack of professionalism they possess I strongly advise against having driving lessons here, we had to cancel my daughters driving lesson a day before due to her being very ill with a sickness bug, I went to the office and was approached by an older woman who stated 48 hours notice was needed and she would be charged, I understand this is their policy but that would have been impossible as 48 hours before she was fine. The woman had the worst attitude and was rude and vile so impossible to have a normal conversation with and she was not interested when I mentioned that the instructor was constantly late for lessons, 30 minutes on occasions which is frustrating when you have limited time to spare, this was not a concern to this woman so I would say it’s all one way here. This place is not friendly, helpful or run professionally .

Positive experience: £20 to learn to drive as long as you like. Sadly the site is rather run down traffic lights that dont work feded round signs, and lots of pot holes to get you ready for when you pass your test Great way to learn though but needs improvements as already mentioned

Positive experience: Traffic lights not working, doesn't look like they have for a while. Quite a few pot holes. Could do with white lines repainting, some junctions not clear. Spotted a sign by the road side stating it was £15 but it is £20 (in pound coins). Visited in the week so very quite, on the whole, a good place for an under 17 year old to drive a car but think the owner could make improvements after a £5 price increase!

Negative experience: Traffic Lights not working, other users racing around treating the place like a racetrack. Massive piece of concrete on side of road which damaged my car. No card payment option. Accepts 20 x £1 pound coins only but I would take 23 as the barrier machine didn't accept all of them. This is not a place for first time or nervous learner's. I would avoid.

Positive experience: This place is fantastic to teach your children to drive. My dad bought me here when I was a kid but the only reason I have given this 3 stars is because it is very run down & too many potholes. Come on if the owner made the effort he would have so many people there he would be rolling in it. Please make an effort.

Positive experience: A great place to learn for new drivers. As it's on private land you don't need to be insured so perfect for working on the basics outside of lessons. I feel that some of the reviews regarding the road quality are somewhat unfair. For the most part, the road markings are visible and the surface is good enough. There are some potholes but what road doesn't have potholes. Main criticisms would be that the corners are a little tight for beginners, there is one section of road that is in very poor condition (but still usable and won't cause any damage to your vehicle), and the fact you need 20 £1 coins. Other than that, I would thoroughly recommend it.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely brilliant place to go, some people might expect a well kept road but is no different to actual roads so gives the same experience as if on the roads just a private more relaxed experience for new drivers

Positive experience: It's an good place for beginners but it hasn't been looked after well.

Negative experience: It's not worth £20! None of the traffic lights worked on the site and there were lots of big holes on the road literally everywhere! Markings on the roads are all worn out and invisible needs repainting.

Fantastic experience: I trained for my full motorcycle training and I have to say I was provided the best experience and James was really nice. It has been a while since I passed.

Positive experience: A reasonable place to learn to drive but the location is long overdue maintenance. Traffic lights have been out for years and I think the last time the surfaces were looked after Winston Churchill was our prime minister. For the price of entry they should be doing more for upkeep.

Fantastic experience: i drove here its so good to learn how to drive there are round abouts , places to learn how to use indicators , and no speed limit... i think

Negative experience: Great place for youngsters to learn how to get the basics of driving. Downsides are the roads are full of potholes and the road markings are non existent on some parts. The traffic lights have been driven into and not repaired. It needs refurbishing badly. £20 entry but it can only be paid in £1 coins, fair enough if you don't want to declare the cash but at least allow notes for payment.

Fantastic experience: First time visiting here yesterday as someone that's currently learning to drive, had great fun driving here however i feel like they really need to feel to fill the potholes in this place and also add markings on the road as some of the markings are near enough impossible to see as they're pretty much faded. Great value for money for £20 to stay however long you want to!

Negative experience: Been using this place for years, really disappointing today price increase the state of the roads are terrible, road markings bad lights don't work really needs maintenance such a shame not worth the money now if anything does damage to your car.

Fantastic experience: My son absolutely loved driving mum and dad around the car drome today. Really good environment to learn in. Thanks, Andy. Ian & Kerry

Positive experience: Great idea but the whole area needs urgent attention! Too many potholes and the road markings need repainting too. However, my 16-year-old enjoyed it and gained valuable experience.

Positive experience: A bit too many potholes.

Negative experience: Price increased to £20, the condition of road is poor with so many potholes. They should atleast spend some money on making the roads better.

Negative experience: I've given it one star due to the actual place being amazing for teaching our young teens the experience of driving in a safe environment. The price of £20 is fair too if u want to stay more than an hour. However for up to an hour it's a little expensive. Now comes the negative points. 1. The pot holes are absolutely terrible. No money has been invested here for many years by the look of it. 2. What's the idea of the payment machine that can only take 20 x £1 coins! This is 2023 and its probably the only place in the UK where this is the only payment option! What's the idea?? Why can't we tap a card?? At the end of each day do u fill a sack, sling it over your shoulder and hand it into the bank? I'm sure people turn away when they find out at the barrier that the most that they have on them is a couple of £1 coins. So please update your business to the level of 2023!

Positive experience: A great place to take someone who's new to driving, especially if they're under 17 and can't go out on the road. You can either supervise a learner driver or pay for an instructor. The cardrome itself it looking rather dated and needs some modernisation. The traffic lights no longer work where someone has driven into them. There's various pot holes around the site so beware possible damage to your tyres.

Negative experience: It’s to good place to practice to drive but recently the price went up from £15 to £20 ok fair enough but at least they can do some repairs like repaint the road markers and fill up the pot holes.

Positive experience: I have given a 3 star rating for the following reasons: Some of the pot holes are so large and damaging to vehicles, not to mention the danger of inexperienced drivers trying to swerve round them - putting themselves and others at risk. Also, whilst we were there today, it was raining very hard and the pot holes had filled with water, making mini trenches, so you were unable to see them until you were in them. When we checked the details before making the journey, the website and any other info we could find said £15 payable on entry - it is now £20, requiring £1 coins only. There is no option for card payments at this centre. Overall, I like this place as somewhere safe to take a learner driver, before they are road ready, but it wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been.

Positive experience: Great place to learn to drive however the potholes there need tending to! Learner drivers will struggle having to manoeuvre around them...

Negative experience: There’s pros and cons to this little establishment and i score 2 1/2 stars. PROS: Great for Sons & Daughters on L plates with you as a passenger teaching them the basics of clutch control, Hill starts, Roundabouts, cornering, Reversing into bays and the sense of being on a road without the added pressure of being on a normal road. There is no time limit on how long you can practice, The Garage next door does hot food and costa coffee. CONS: Price has increased from £15 to £20 and is CASH ONLY £1 coins. No card or contactless. The road markings are barely visible and in desperate need of a fresh lick of paint. The traffic lights are knocked over and not working and have been for some time judging by previous reviews. The potholes are terrible especially where you do hill starts which isn’t friendly for the suspension of the vehicle. The roads are very prone to flooding. No markings or cones to practice parallel parking. There’s no limit on how many cars can access the site at one time. Occasionally you get one person not on L plates who uses it as a race track and overtake other drivers which in turn intimidates L drivers. The corners and junctions are far to sharp to turn. You won’t get out of 3rd gear so expect to burn a-lot of fuel plodding around in 2nd. The toilet facilities are absolutely vile and disgusting ! I couldn’t tell you the last time they were cleaned. I’m sure there’s bacteria unknown to man in both the Men and Women’s toilets. Bring a bucket or a spade to dig a hole. The owners desperately need to invest in this little place. It could be so much better. I think they just don’t care and would rather reap the profits knowing people will still use it no matter how run down it looks. Such a shame. The land does serve a purpose i suppose but could be so much more. Will i return regarding the current state it’s in and the cost to use it sadly NO.

Positive experience: Very nice and easy place to Manoeuvre. Only let downs was the traffic lights not working lots of big pot holes road markings need repainting and signs need sorting out.

Negative experience: Great idea to practise for learners if you get early enough,however bad points are : overpriced now (£20), overcrowded, and roads in very bad state - holes not being patched and repaired ,and another one - you need pay in £1 coins !!! Been 3 times for £15, but not returning for £20! Local Lakside Tesco car park much better after they close, to practise and for free :)

Positive experience: Was a great experience but definitely needs some TLC, the traffic lights working would be a great addition and having a card payment at the gate would definitely encourage me and probably more people to go more often as having 20 £1 coins lying about isn't easy

Negative experience: This place has really done downhill the last few years. Paying £15 to drive on roads full of potholes and half the traffic lights do not even work. And they have the cheek to announce they are increasing their prices to £20? Save your money guys.

Positive experience: It’s good but needs some TLC - lots of pot holes and quite a lot of the Road markings have worn away. I also think it would help to limit numbers of cars at any one time and have a tap and pay method to enter - who has £15 in pound coins!

Negative experience: Cbt instructors seem to have no idea what they are doing here now days

Positive experience: We took our 16 years old son for his first drive in our car. Entrance is just by the petrol station. Try not to miss it. The automated gate has coin slot with a digital counter. We got there at 10am on a Wednesday morning and no one else was driving. Soon driving lessons started. In total there was about 6 or 7 other cars. Plenty of roads for this many cars at the same time. Some potholes but they help to experience the real state of the actual roads! £15 for as long as you want to stay is a bargain and the experience of driving in a safe environment is excellent.

Positive experience: Would rate this a 5*, unfortunately, there are many potholes, the markings on the ground are fading. Other than that great place to learn! Cheaper price then Young Driver, (£40 30 mins). You only need 15 £1 coins, which you can get at your nearest arcade, for however long you want!

Negative experience: It would be really helpful if the rules were on their website!

Fantastic experience: Great place. Would be even better if traffic lights worked, more comes and the road markings were clearer...could do with re painting

Positive experience: It's a really helpful place to practice driving. There is enough space to practice turns, parking, etc. Price is reasonable (you need 15 pieces of £1 coins), as there is no time limit. However, it needs some maintenance repairs. There were potholes that were really dangerous. And the lines are faded already. If the place had been maintained, it would really be perfect for driving practice.

Positive experience: Great place to help someone learn to drive.

Fantastic experience: Pleasant and obliging. Great for under 17 years old to gain valuable experience safely.

Negative experience: Very disappointed with the arrogant staff member who spoke to my husband late morning. My husband & daughter travelled 70 miles, paid the fee to be told they couldn't use the site. Rules weren't visible until you get in & were not on your website. After the pandemic our daughter was looking forward to driving so this really upset her. Won't be using Cardrome ever again.

Negative experience: Perhaps the rules that are on the entrance to the Cardrome should be published on their website and Facebook rather than me traveling over 70 miles each way to be told I can't use the site. Very upset daughter.

Fantastic experience: Has every driving scenario you can be met with in your test. You pay £15 and spend as long as you want to practice. Very good value for your money!

Negative experience: The traffic lights don't work and it's £15 in coins to get in which is very expensive!!!!!

Positive experience: Good place to get my granddaughter used to starting stopping and clutch control before she starts lessons could be a great place with a bit of investment

Negative experience: Why pay £15 to drive on potholes and in about an acre of land? They tell complete lies about the acreage of this place and the quality is awful. Would never come again. If your car gets damaged by the condition of this place, remember you can sue them, whatever they might say!

Fantastic experience: My son and daughter loved it nice place to learn

Positive experience: Cheap as chips for a practice drive for my son in my own car. £15 entry fee is a bargain, and there's no time limit on how long you can spend there. The road markings have faded almost completely and could really use a repaint; I don't think they've been done since I learned to drive there with my dad 30 years ago. Subsequently the other learners are all over the place and my arse was making buttons the whole time........

Fantastic experience: This is amazing experience, which is really enjoyable with climate and atmosphere mesmerizing...

Positive experience: IT would be better but the traffic lights were not working .but if IT would work i would give IT a 5 star rating

Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience, took my son today for a quick drive, he ended up driving for 3 hours straight and loved every minute of it. I do think the owners need to maintain it a little better though, fix the pot holes, reinstate the traffic lights etc but it’s still worth the £15 (you need 15 x £1 coins). We arrived at 9:45 ish on a Saturday morning, by around 11am there were approx another 20-25 cars so it became a little busy but that really didn’t effect our experience

Fantastic experience: Lovely lady instructor put my daughter at ease immediately. Would highly recommend x

Fantastic experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ken and mem,fantastic duo,everything motorcycle catered for in the bike training and cbt and test areas.

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic place and opportunity for teens to try driving! We went on a Friday, which was very quiet. Plenty of time to practise hill starts, reversing, roundabouts, etc with zero pressure. I’ve already been asked when we can return!

Positive experience: A great facility to have available for learners.shame the traffic lights were not working

Fantastic experience: Had a few driving practice lessons with an amazing instructor Graham and if anyone want to learn how to drive,Graham is right and best man for it.Thumbs up for this place and thanks a lot.HONZA

Fantastic experience: Had never riden a bike or scooter before but with the friendly, helpful advise and good training got my CBT and will be going back to do my full licence at some point in the future, special thanks to Ken my instructor.

Positive experience: Can get busy, Best time to go is early Good place to take an under 17 to learn to drive Can get 15 pounds in coins from the petrol station next door

Fantastic experience: New owners are professional friendly and genuinely decent people

Positive experience: It's very useful to be able to come here, but it could be so much better. Ie access using a card instead of 15 £1 coins, clean toilets, and road resurfacing. The owners know there's nowhere else to go, so they just don't bother spending any money on improvements.

Fantastic experience: Smashing place, £15 to take a youngster in to drive all day long, as long as they can reach the pedals you're in, can't recommend highly enough

Fantastic experience: Great, some of the roads could do with a touch up but it was really good.

Positive experience: Really great experience- Graham such a great instructor. A little chaotic due to everyone going about at points but genuinely had a great experience and learnt a lot!

Fantastic experience: Great place for their first ever drive. Lots of room for error. Has 2 long straights to practice gear changes, a mound for hill starts.

Fantastic experience: Excellent day out to practice driving especially for teens, yes place is a little run down but perfect for the purpose, we visited this site on 08/08/2021.

Positive experience: Great place to teach someone to drive in a safe place. If the place was maintained i would of given full star rating. I noticed most potholes have been filled in which is great, but still some about and lines could do with being repainted, specially the mini roundabout

Fantastic experience: A very big thank you to Andy for his help and cooperation when I wanted to use his facilities to give my daughter a days training on a van before she took a test to become a NHS Paramedic .She was so pleased as the help you gave us to have this day and are so happy to tell you that she passed and will start her training in September. Many Thanks

Fantastic experience: Great school with excellent instructors, no messing. Highly recommended

Fantastic experience: Great place to learn to driver whether in your own car or with a qualified instructor in their car.

Fantastic experience: Having never been on bike before I was a bit unsure how the whole experience was going to be but then I met the instructor and I knew it was going to be a great experience. The Instructor (Mem) was fantastic, excellent at what he does and gets the best out of the students. I started from scratch with him doing the CBT then onto the assessment, booster and then MOD 1. Passed every assessment first time and all i can say is a massive thank you to Mem for getting me through it! Top bloke!

Fantastic experience: My daughter is 16 and had her firat tme driving a car today. She loved it and said the instructor was really nice. Looking forward to next weeks lesson

Negative experience: £15 is abit to much for something so run down!cant see many of the white lines! Giant pot holes everywhere but the worst part is theres no marshal to stop the idiots racing around!12/6/21 there was a kid and his dad in a red fiesta racing around like loons! No control of the car! It put off so many of the learners that was there including my wife! This kind of behaviour needs to be addressed! The idea and concept of the drone is brilliant for newbies! Just a shame its let down by what ive mentioned

Negative experience: Good idea but very poorly maintained. Learnt to drive there myself 10 years ago and took my brother last week. Such a shame to see the site in a state of disrepair. Massive potholes all over the site, almost invisible white marker lines and the traffic lights don't work.

Fantastic experience: Great value and great place to learn. Lots of space and everyone is really courteous and mindful of different levels of learner drivers. Kids had so much fun.

Positive experience: Poorly maintained quite a small course making the circuits quite boring after 30 mins.

Positive experience: as my son was driving there many pot holes. I know it would be a expensive thing to do to re tarmac most of the area I believe that it would be very beneficial. however my son had an fantastic time driving and will definitely take him there soon

Positive experience: It was a really great place to learn the basics of driving like junctions and roundabouts. Considering how expensive it is to get in I would expect more attempt at upkeep. The amount of potholes was really scary and quite off putting when you’re learning.

Negative experience: The Centre could be far better how it is now if it would be well maintained. There are too many potholes and none of is traffic lights are working. Toilets facilities are not available. No proper bay or parallel parking facilities.