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Friendly and adaptable manual driving lessons from fully qualified DVSA-approved ADI instructors in the Thames Ditton and Surrey area

Why choose driveschool?

Covering a wide range of areas in Surrey

Thames Ditton • Long Ditton • Surbiton • Kingston-upon-Thames • Tolworth • Hinchley Wood • Claygate • Oxshott • Esher • Hampton Court • Molesey • Walton-on-Thames • Oatlands • Weybridge

£44

per hour (min 2hrs)

Would you like to start learning how to drive?

Our experienced instructors will guide you through the process and help you gain the confidence you need to become a safe and skilful driver. Please note that lessons are only available in two-hour time slots.

£420

5 lesson/10 hr block

If you'd like to save money on driving lessons you can book a block of 5 lessons/10 hrs and receive a £20 discount! Block booking also ensures you have the same time and day each week. Don't miss out on this great deal, book your lessons today!

What our students say

“Great teachers. Would 100% recommend to anyone trying to learn how to drive.
Passed first time after 8 lessons thanks to Christyan.
Great service”

Chahine

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"Christyan is a great instructor. Really made me feel confident, and I passed my test with flying colours!
I would highly recommend him and the school if you want an outstanding instructor.
Thank you Christyan!"

Sofiane

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"I had Christyan as my instructor and he was always very patient with me and a calming presence whilst driving. Very knowledgeable and made sure I was completely ready for my test!"

Daisy

Another day, another pass!

And let’s catch up with Archie who passed in Tolworth. Having started in late October with the 5pm slot each week means that (apart from a few manoeuvres during the Christmas holidays) every single lesson has been in the dark. Not only that but he seems to have caught the rain most weeks as well.

So it came as quite a relief to take the test in one of the few times he’s actually driven in sunny daylight, and he easily aced it with only two faults.

Well done Archie… and if you ever decide to swap your Wimbledon FC season tickets for a F1 grandstand, give me a call.

#manoffewwords #wimbledonFC #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And what better way to kick off the first sunny, summer-like day of the year than with a magnificent pass from Rosa?

Now here’s the thing: Rosa’s been one of my best students for a long time, but a mishap has always come up on test day - which proves the theory that it’s not always the best students that pass first time.

Anyway, no problems today with a lovely sunny drive through the fields of Guildford - well done Rosa and good luck in Glyndebourne.

#itllbealrightonthenight #breakaleg #theshowmustgoon #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

It’s been quiet for tests since early December but we’re kicking off the new year with a fantastic pass for Poppy in Tolworth.

Poppy took a little longer than some of her friends to pass, but that gave us time to cover a lot more ground (literally), so we were able to cover motorway driving, inner city roads and ‘real life’ (not test) parking.

Slow and steady wins the race and she blitzed the test with only two trivial faults and a ‘Hollywood Handshake’ compliment on an excellent drive from the examiner… it doesn’t get much better that and I’m pretty sure her friends didn’t pass with such an assured performance.

Well done Poppy, I’ll look forward to seeing you out and about in the Smart car.

#poppyday #slowandsteadywinstherace #letsdrive #driveschool

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all those wintery learner drivers out there in Insta-land.

Make sure your car is equipped for the weather and take it steady out there!

#astonmartinv8vantage #thelivingdaylights #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And it was a wonderful result for Alice who passed with only two driving faults in a damp and dreary Tolworth.

We actually deferred Alice’s test from a couple of months back because she wasn’t quite ready - she was disappointed at the time but it’s always a worthwhile move if you’re not 100% confident in your abilities. But the waiting paid off and now she’s a well and truly competent, safe and skilful driver with a first-time pass - well done Alice!

#slowandsteadywinstherace #letsdrive #driveschool

Everyone has to start somewhere.

I took this at a Steam Fair back in the summer - wish I’d had such indulgent parents as a boy.

But just as interesting as the Sprites is the red DeLorean in the background… Great Scott, red?!

#greatscottmarty #frogeyesprite #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

Tests are coming thick and fast at the moment and it was a lucky Wednesday 13th for the camera-shy Sam in Tolworth last week.

He didn’t think he gave a very good performance so the surprised expression is understandable, but the examiner saw through the nerves (and the stalls) for a well-deserved pass.

Well done Sam, take it steady.

#takethewin #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass…

And typically, you wait over a month for a test then three come along at once.

Well done to Maya who blitzed it yesterday morning with another very early 7:03am start in Chertsey. All the more impressive because she decided to take the test in her parents’ VW Tiguan, which is a big old beast to squeeze into a bay park.

Well done Maya, and well deserved - you’re a safe confident and considerate driver, and lovely to chat to. I know you’ll enjoy your driving.

#thebiggertheyarethehardertheyfall #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass…

There aren’t many tests around at the moment so it was great to see Tom giving a magnificent drive in Chertsey this morning with only 4 driving faults.

It’s rare that a student shows a natural flair for driving but Tom’s talent was obvious from day one. It’s been a pleasure to spend time with you Tom, stay safe.

#naturalborndrivers #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And it was a truly outstanding performance in Chertsey from Will a week ago.

He was ill the night before, said he didn’t really get any sleep, had a 6:00am start for a 7:03am test, half the test in the dark, it was pouring down, and he had one of the toughest examiners (yes, I know they’re all supposed to be the same… some just seem tougher than others).

And I’m posting this a week late because he was so ill on the way home I thought he was going to throw up and really couldn’t pose for a pic.

All smiles now though - so congratulations again Will on an excellent performance - enjoy your driving.

#wheretheresawilltheresaway #letsdrive #driveschool

Number Two son just bought a red Alfa Romeo as his first car.

I think the face says it all.

#firstcar #milomito #alfaromeo #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

It’s been a slow couple of months for tests (too many teenage holidays and festivals to work around) so congratulations to Holly for an excellent pass on Tuesday at Tolworth (on the most challenging route). And a round of applause for receiving a compliment from the examiner at the end.

Well done Holly, and I don’t have to remind you to stay safe - you’ve been one of the most responsible students I’ve had. Enjoy your driving.

#gasstation #letsdrive #driveschool

Yuk...

Portuguese hire cars get a lot dirtier than UK hire cars - this was 2 hours after collecting it.

#mudsweatandgears #iloveitwhenyoutalkdirty #letsdrive #driveschool

Grrrr....

Portuguese Jeeps are tougher than UK Jeeps.

#doyoulikehospitalfood #comeandhaveagoifyouthinkyourehardenough #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

It’s been a while - the majority of my students put their tests on hold during June so that they could concentrate on exams.

But now we’re back into the summer swing and to kick things off here’s Alex who was very pleased with a first-time pass in Chertsey yesterday, just squeaking within his deadline - he and his family are moving to Cyprus in July so he was desperate to pass before he left.

Well done Alex and take it steady on those Cypriot roads, I imagine you’ll have a whole lot of new local skills to master.

#youcantaketheboyoutofcyprus #amanallahim #liversoup #letsdrive #driveschool

Sunny Father’s Day drive with daddy’s little princess.

The only person I know who has a reputation for wearing more bright colours than me.

#daddyslittleprincess #windymiller #mrtoadswildride

Latest DriveSchoolmobile on loan for a couple of weeks while the Taylor Swift is in for repair.

I’m a big fan of Golfs but this one’s disappointingly dull - though the students like it a lot. Go figure.

#dissapointinglydull

Another day, another pass!

And despite all my recent car setbacks Roxy stormed through for a magnificent first-time pass with only 4 driving faults.

This was great stuff as they seemed to be digging up half of Chertsey on the day so it was a new route that had to navigate its way around all the cones and temporary traffic lights.

And quite wisely, she used her own car for the test - if she’d used mine it might have been hit by a boat falling from the sky.

Enjoy your driving Roxy, stay safe.

#lookslikekeiraknightley #letsdrive #driveschool

I was just about to introduce the new DriveSchool-mobile, ('Taylor' Swift) on the road today for the first time. ‘As new’, not a mark on it… and within 3 hours someone’s driven into the back of it.

Doesn’t look too bad in the photo but it’s probably a new rear bumper, new hatch and the rear beam (where it locks) is bent.

Just call me Mr. Lucky.

#ishouldbesolucky #rearended #tyresandtarmac

Another day, another pass!

And it was back to business as usual last week with an outstanding result in Chertsey for Walter who not only overcame the difficulties of being presented with a new car, but passed on his first test with ZERO minors!

That was quite an achievement in the Toyota Agro which seems to stall even if you look at it in the wrong way… I certainly won’t be buying one of these as a long-term prospect.

Well done Walter, you’ve been wonderful company over the last few months, but also one of the most confident and safe drivers I’ve had the pleasure of teaching - enjoy your newfound freedom.

#redhairblueeyes #letsdrive #driveschool

Back on the road in an insurance-supplied rental. Not a yippie Yaris - this time it’s a cross Aygo, but it’s getting the job done while I find a long-term solution.

(Bonnet-mounted cat not included on Toyotas, but optional on Jaguars).

#toyotalife #driveitlikeyoustoleit

Yikes! It's the end of the road for the Yippie Yaris which has been involved in a slight overheating incident.

It went up in flames yesterday, victim of parking next to a neighbour's self-immolating Maserati.

Hopefully his insurance will get me back on the road asap.

PS: I was disappointed to find that none of the firemen were named Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble or Grubb.

#hotstuff #comeonbabylightmyfire #maseratilevante #cuthbertdibbleandgrub #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And this is a special one because I’ve known Phoebe since she was about three years old.

This was an excellent second test - she was cruelly cheated (ok, a silly mistake) out of a first-time pass. I’ve always been impressed that Phoebe drives like someone who’s had a licence for 5 or more years so it’s great to see her on the road at last.

I know you’ll enjoy your driving Phoebe, stay safe.

#theygrowupsofast #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And it was an excellent performance from Chahineze last week in Chertsey, passing with only three faults and yet another compliment from the examiner on an excellent drive.

Ah Chahineze, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of up and down emotions, I was never quite sure what to expect each week. But you certainly performed on the day and kept up the family tradition of all of your siblings passing with me first time - fantastic stuff

Well done Chahineze, and remember (as if you could forget)… Gas Gas Gas!

#jumpinjackflash #gasgasgas #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

A big round of applause to Izzy who gave a magnificent performance in a damp and drizzly Tolworth for another stellar pass with only two driving faults.

I’m sure Izzy would admit we’ve had ‘moments’ in our lessons where she’d really doubted her abilities behind the wheel, but buying her own car and taking a few weeks off to get some miles of general road practice under her belt really paid off and she came back with boosted confidence and much-improved skills. Practice pays.

Well done Izzy, it’s been a great fun.

#izzywizzyletsgetbusy #isabellereallynecessaryonabicycle #letsdrive #driveschool

Are you sitting comfortably?

DVSA Cockpit checks
You should always check:
* All doors are closed and the parking brake is on
* Adjust your seat before checking the mirrors
* Adjust your seat to give you the best driving position - and so you can reach the foot controls comfortably
* Adjust the mirrors, including the interior mirror at night so you’re not dazzled by the vehicle behind them
* Your head restraint is in the right place
* The steering wheel is adjusted so you can use it easily
* Your seatbelt is fastened and comfortable
* The parking brake is on and the gear lever is in neutral (or in P or N in an automatic car)

#cokpitdrill #mrbean #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And well done Keya for a magnificent pass in Guildford with only three faults.

Keya should have passed first time (with only 2 driving faults) if it hadn’t been for a silly mishap. The 2nd attempt was plagued by nerves and a few tears.

So with gritted teeth and the nerves under control she blitzed through… there were still tears but at least they were joyful this time. Well done Keya, it’s been a pleasure to spend time with you.

#tearsofjoy #passthetissues #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, and yet another pass!

It was a wonderful drive from Teddy in Tolworth on Monday, again with only two faults.

Teddy’s a man of few words but those he does use are worth listening to, and when he had a question you could be sure he was always listening to the answer and using the advice.

I look forward to seeing you out and about in your Hyundai.

Just one last thing Teddy… the Certificate’s on the other side of the paper.

#grassisalwaysgreenerontheotherside #letsdrive #driveschool

Now that No.2 son is driving and taking an interest in cars, he can’t believe I had a 911 when he was growing up and he didn’t appreciate it at the time (when he was about 10 years old).

I think he appreciated it more than he remembers, and to prove it here are some pics.

#porschethereisnosubstitute #letsdrive #driveschool

Another day, another pass!

And they’re coming thick and fast - rarely a week seems to go by without a test at the moment.

A big round of applause for Ethan with yet another excellent first time pass in Chertsey with only two driving faults.

You see Ethan? I told you you could do it if you just slowed down for long enough - take it steady now that I’m not in the passenger seat to reign-in your enthusiasm.

#driveitlikeyoustoleit #fastandfurious #letsdrive #driveschool

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