Pupil Feedback

With so many things to think about when it comes to driving and passing the all-important TEST, having to choose the right instructor from among so many available teachers shouldn’t add one more thing to stress about. There are plenty of people out there with loads of qualifications, but I have to say if you want a great driving instructor with monster qualifications and a terrific, relaxed, family-friendly personality, Tam Smail is the driving instructor for you! Tam’s one of the most observant individuals I’ve come across, and he will most certainly kick your driving into high gear, whether you’re a first-timer or someone like me coming from another country and needing to pass the driving test here in the UK. Tam was fabulously supportive, keen on getting me through the nervousness of it all with good humour – and a never-ending supply of safety tips along the way! All in all, Tam’s really turned me into a much more competent, much more aware, and much safer driver – my car has legs now, as he puts it! Happy driving, if you pick Tam you’re picking a winner! 

- Kate Wallace

Tam is am excellent driving instructor, I felt very comfortable with him and he taught me very well. Tam always made lessons as easy as possible and never lost patience with me. He is very friendly and easy to get on with. He has taught me and my sisters and we all passed first time.

I would definitely recommend any new driver to go with Tam!

- Katie Phillips

My name is Aaron Groombridge, I wanted to do my driving lessons for ages but had to save up first. I didn’t want to waste my money, so I thought it was important to get the right driving instructor. My Mum used to work with Tam, and she said I should give him a go because he was always really friendly and helpful. I gave Tam a call and got the ball rolling, Tam asked me all the right questions when I called him and he seemed to know what it was all about which was reassuring! Right from the outset Tam was very patient and gave me lots of pointers that made controlling the car very easy, such as how to place my feet on the pedals and how much to move them. There were times when I got really frustrated when things went wrong, but Tam helped me calm down and try again, which always made things go easier! My lessons were always fun and we had a good laugh, even on the more tricky lessons. I passed my test first time and done my BTEC in safe driving and it looks good on my CV! I’m glad I chose Tam as my Instructor, even now when I see him around he always stops for a chat! If you want a great Driving Instructor, choose Tam!

- Aaron Groombridge

Hello my name is Lauren Harvey, I found Tam on the internet, there were so many Driving Instructors to choose from! Tam’s website was good because it was all about what he can do for me, rather than why not to choose someone else like most of the other sites I looked at. Right from the start of my lessons with Tam, he put me at ease, even at the first phone call! I had never driven before and was really nervous about driving for the first time. When I started to drive with Tam I used to panic all the time but Tam helped me overcome this and I have since passed my test first time and went on to do my BTEC in safe driving! Tam has been a great Instructor, he is very patient and kind, he has even paid me money back for recommending him to my cousin, even though I don’t take lessons any more!! Thank’s Tam….

- Lauren Harvey

Having struggled first time of trying and then taking a break for a whole decade” I was pretty much starting from scratch. Tam’s easy going ways and flexible teaching style meant that I grew in confidence quickly. He was able to both demonstrate and get me to work out the ways for me to drive a car well. He’s basically turned a unnatural and struggling driver into someone that knows what they are doing behind the wheel. I even passed first time! I’m now looking forward to a lifetime of safe driving on the road. I would recommend Tam’s Driving School to anyone and thank you, for creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere thoughout my five months of learning. Cheers Tam….

- Dan Trenowden (Dover)

Starting from scratch when looking for a driving instructor, I didn’t know anyone in the area who had had lessons. All I knew was that I personally wanted a small, local driving school and not a big national one. I’m very glad I chose Tam! I had never sat behind the wheel of a car before and he put me at ease immediately with his friendly, talkative nature and of course the “jokes” (which get worse by the way)! His teaching was brilliant; I particularly found his use of little rhymes and diagrams helpful in remembering everything. Tam was always very patient as I didn’t have a car to practice in between lessons. I passed first time with only 4 minors, great testament to his fantastic teaching, would definitely recommend him, just watch out of those awful jokes! 

- Leonie Porter

The first thing I noticed about Tams lessons were that things were very different to what I had had previously, but it was the exact difference that I needed from my instructor. Tam’s way of making you realize your own errors rather than just telling you that you had done something wrong made me think a lot more about my own driving rather than just reacting to comments. The easier laid back attitude helped calm my nerves about driving and actually made me look forward to lessons (something I hadn’t before). Tam also pushed my limits, making me a better driver and experience more than just learning the test routes and made me a better all-round driver. I didn’t pass first time but Tam got me straight back in the car and built my confidence up until I finally passed. I really recommend Tam to anyone who needs a driving instructor who will teach you how to drive properly and not just pass the test!

- Christian Abbott

Originally I began my driving lessons with another driving instructor and felt that the learning style just was not for me, which left me realizing that perhaps I just cannot learn to drive.

One of my friends had just passed his test with tam, and motivated me to get a lesson with Tam and see how it goes, the learning style he used adapted well with me and I began to really enjoy learning to drive. Not only did he make me feel confident but also comfortable when being in control of the car, I felt like I was achieving more each lesson and it also helped that he would offer worksheets and help with the theory test as well as the practical test.

If Tam could make me go from having no confidence to passing my driving test, then it is a realization that he really is a great driving instructor! 

- Laura Prichard