Mohamed Eisa

Due to work commitments, I needed to learn to learn to drive at short notice and with no prior driving experience at all. I had been told about intensive driving courses, but I was unsure whether it was really possible to learn to drive in such a short space of time. I took the plunge and thankfully I found a driving instructor with the skill (and temperament!) to help me pass my driving test first time - Phil Padfield.

Phil has a real talent for teaching. His relaxed, friendly manner puts you immediately at ease in the car. He has an uncanny ability to transmit his sense of calm control to you when you get behind the wheel. He works very hard to make sure you understand everything from the basic principles first, and then uses simple logical explanations to help you get to grips with the various driving skills you have to master. If you are struggling with something, he takes the time to find out why and helps you to generate effective solutions that work for you.

Phil obviously puts a huge amount of effort into planning the lessons. The lessons were tailored around my abilities and needs rather than a rigid generic schedule. Using the provided coursebook and DVD enabled me to be well prepared in advance of each lesson, and to recap areas that you covered in the previous sessions. Each lesson would build on the previous one, and Phil would gradually build up your confidence and ability. By placing great emphasis on developing good control of the car in the early stages, Phil enables you to develop the confidence to deal with more complex situations and hazards later on. You never feel like you are being asked to do something you cannot achieve. Phil knows what the examiners are looking for, and is careful to make sure you get familiar with typical test roads and situations and even takes you on a mock test to give you a flavour of the real thing. With this approach, when you come to the actual test there are no surprises.

I cannot recommend Phil highly enough. Spread the word!