Varney Driving School

Fantastic experience: James was great with my son Jake. Jake is v shy and James put him at ease and made him feel comfortable. James is friendly, calm and patient. We are delighted Jake has passed his driving test.

Fantastic experience: Patient, thorough and considerate, I cannot recommend James enough. As an older learner, I appreciate his ability to adapt the lessons to match your unique style of learning. I also liked his focus on getting you to first understand the reasons behind the rules of the road instead of just telling you to drive a certain way. Because of that, I have passed my test feeling confident that I have good technique and can drive safely.

Fantastic experience: Just passed my test with James. Our lessons have been excellent. He teaches safe and efficient ways of driving and has a good amount of patience. Notices things you need to improve on and helps you with it. A rather charismatic fellow too, which was nice. I'd certainly recommend him. As a bonus, he's a Dr. Who/Harry Potter fan, so that's good news if you're one too!

Fantastic experience: James is a great driving instructor would recommend to other. I pass my test first try thanks to him teaching me

Fantastic experience: James is an excellent driving instructor, adapting his teaching style to fit me and make me into a safe and confident driver - and I passed by test first time. Cannot recommend enough!

Fantastic experience: Absolutley fantastic driving Instructor. Patient, calm, and tailors lessons to you needs.

Fantastic experience: I passed my test with James last summer. He had been my instructor for a long time due to lockdowns, breaks and other circumstances causing me to need longer time learning. He was extremely attentive, informative and overall a very friendly person. I would highly recommend him as a driver instructor, as helped me pass my test but more importantly taught me to be a safe and sensible driver.

Fantastic experience: brilliant driving instructor who is patient and who have helped me to overcome my anxiety when driving. I was able to pass my driving test the second time with Varney. Can't thank him enough for getting me through it and his style of teaching really helped.

Fantastic experience: I pass my test first time because of James’s teaching methods and it’s great value for money and you have a laugh along the way

Fantastic experience: A brilliant driving instructor. James knows how to get the best out of people who are learning to drive.

Fantastic experience: James gave me clear driving instruction. I had a regular two hour lesson once a week while I was in sixth form and then was able to continue with more flexible lessons through taking cancellations once I had gone away to university. Even after I had moved away I was able to get generally at least one and often several more lessons a week. We started near my house with the basics and then advanced to different roads around York. I felt consistently challenged but never pushed to do anything beyond my capabilities. In the run up to my test we also did lots of practise tests which I found particularly useful. James gave me resources to study for my theory test. Because of these I was able to study effectively and pass first time. James taught me very thoroughly and to a high standard valuing both safety and precision with driving. I also passed my driving test first time because of a combination of James' rigorous teaching and practise on my part.

Fantastic experience: A patient and insightful instructor. James worked sensitively with my anxiety around driving whilst also giving me the push I needed to become a confident and safe driver.

Fantastic experience: James was very supportive and restored my driving confidence. He tailored my lessons perfectly and I passed on my first test with him, thoroughly recommend!

Fantastic experience: James is a excellent instructor and a truly nice guy. Always calm when others aren't would recommend him to anyone, thanks again James.

Fantastic experience: James has been a great instructor and helped improve my driving by making the lessons fun and engaging, with some challenging moments in between but over all he is a good driving instructor and would recommend for anyone wanting to learn to drive

Fantastic experience: Great instructor with a great teaching method.

Fantastic experience: Lessons were fun and interesting and I passed first time in York after a long break due to moving and covid

Fantastic experience: Adaptable, intelligent & trustworthy person, who is an even better driving instructor. I was learning to drive on and off for 15-20 years, had a number of good instructors, all of whom I enjoyed talking to... Which may have been part of why I hadn't passed in any of my previous attempts. When I met James, I didn't emotionally feel like I'd ever pass the practical driving test and with 3-4 practical fails, plus numerous theory tests under my belt, I felt like history had shown me the limits of my ability. That all changed when I started learning with James, so after a waiting period, when I got the call to ask it I was still interested, I was delighted to say yes and be officially on his books. I immediately found James to be adaptable to my learning needs, making doubly sure I understood, explaining differently and talking things through in the times I didn't feel confident, the result of which was that I felt less of a frustrated urge to give up. James is a genuinely wonderful person who is a delight to spend a few focused hours in a car with. I feel like our working relationship blossomed to the point where I would look forward to our humorous moments and now I've passed I know I'll miss the comfort of feeling like my teacher is also a friend. After one year of 2-4 hour lessons once a week and through lockdowns, I passed my first practical driving test with James - the first in 5 or more years - and 1 month before the birth of my first child who will benefit from being driven around as they grow up <3 I feel so confident driving and exploring my potential that I am even considering an advanced driving course! So if you're looking for a flexible and clear instructor who is always quick to communicate, contact Varney Driving School to find out when there's a vacancy. Hearty thanks forever and hopefully, I'll see you around. Mike C (2020 - 2021 pupil)

Fantastic experience: Excellent instructor, helped alleviate my test anxiety. I had 2 previous instructors and three previous tests that I failed on stupid mistakes caused by nerves. If you suffer anxiety, panic attacks, attention problems etc., this is the guy to go to.

Fantastic experience: James was a great instructor, patient with me even when i kept making the same mistakes. Lessons were always fun and i would highly recommend to others.

Fantastic experience: James is a great and patient instructor, he always found a way to make me understand. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Great instructor, I felt comfortable and at ease even in stressful situations. Methods of instruction were easy to follow and easy to pick up, I passed first time. Very patient and well planned lessons, made me feel confident and competent. Would highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Very high quality of teaching, felt fully prepared for my test and confidently passed first time. Fully worth the price of tutoring

Fantastic experience: James is a great driving instructor and has the perfect teaching style. Very patient, makes the lessons enjoyable but always very professional and taught me in a way I would understand whenever I was struggling. Can’t thank him enough!

Fantastic experience: James is easily the most patient, easy going and professional instructors out there. Every lesson is always a good laugh and I feel very confident after just passing my test. I can't thank or praise him enough!

Fantastic experience: Used him years ago great instructor ‍

Fantastic experience: Great driving instructor, I began lessons with James after lessons with another instructor and learned far more in a few lessons than I had in months of lessons with the previous instructor, I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting to learn to drive.

Fantastic experience: Took some refresher lessons with James and really built my confidence back up. Happy to recommend him. Very good and patient teacher

Fantastic experience: So happy I chose Varney Driving School!! James is an amazing driving instructor who understood my confidence issues with driving, he worked with me to improve my confidence and skills each lesson we had. A very relaxed environment with a professional and experienced tutor. Thanks for everything James!

Fantastic experience: James is a very kind and honest instructor,I will recommended to everyone.

Fantastic experience: James has been an excellent driving instructor; I was super nervous when he took me on, as I'd had lessons before with an instructor who made me a nervous driver, but James helped me to relax and turned me into a confident and safe driver! He's extremely patient and easy to chat to.

Fantastic experience: James is a great instructor, easy to get on with and has a good teaching style. Lessons were always enjoyable and focused, and I now feel well prepared to get out on the road. Most importantly, got me to a first-time pass!

Fantastic experience: James is a brilliant driving instructor and a great person to boot. His method of teaching built up my confidence with driving quickly, as well as being good fun. Passed my driving test first time with only 4 minors. Thanks James!

Fantastic experience: BEST INSTRUCTOR IN YORK !, calm + relaxed learning environment , enjoyable lessons and will get you through any problems you may encounter whilst driving. 100% get your moneys worth, no time wasting.

Fantastic experience: Passed first time with only 2 faults. Lessons were a lot of fun and I enjoyed it.

Fantastic experience: Great instructor, lessons are all well structured and tailored to your abilities. Feel much more confident in my driving now. Would recommend!

Fantastic experience: James is friendly and very easy to get along with which made my lessons fun each week. He helped me through areas I was struggling with and prepared me well for my test.

Fantastic experience: Great instructor, really flexible with lesson timings and pickups. Patient instructor who takes time to make sure you work on where you're not confident. Calm atmosphere and an instructor you can get along with, would highly reccomend!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic driving instructor who has provided quality driving lessons for my daughter Saskia, who has just passed first time! Absolutely brilliant in terms of time, patience and the information he has provided to help pass the test. Thank you James!

Fantastic experience: Top stuff! absolutely brilliant guy who helps to get you ready for the test and beyond, couldn't ask for any better and I highly recommend, on another note the car is great to learn in and will help get you ready for the road! thanks so much James!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fab driving instructor! Made learning to drive fun, even though I was extremely nervous.

Fantastic experience: Top notch driving instructor! Very thorough, positive, and constructive throughout! I enjoyed all my lessons, and now feel confident to go out independently. I passed first time with James. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Great driving instructor, i was taught and passed within 6 months and this is all due to James. I definitely could not have done it without him. His teaching style was amazing and i strongly recommend his services! James is also very friendly and funny which makes lessons very fun!

Fantastic experience: Great driving instructor, I passed first time.

Fantastic experience: Couldn't have asked for a better instructor. Professional, calm & easy to get on with, he puts you at ease straight away. James trains you to a very high standard; he took me from never having driven a car before, to passed with only 2 driving faults, in just 3 months.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and professional. Enjoyed all our lessons and grew confident in my driving skills very quickly. Passed my theory and practical first time. Thank you, James.

Fantastic experience: Lovely, understanding instructor, goes above and beyond expectations to tailor lessons to what you want and find availability around your schedule! I went from being terrified of driving and screaming when the car moved (first lesson!) to passing my test in about nine months, which I was personally very happy with and would have never thought possible. TheoryTestPro is an awesome service too!