Gary Smithson School of Motoring

Fantastic experience: Just passed my Driving first time with Gary. Would highly recommend as he’s made me a really confident and safe driver. Was also really helpful on the day of my test and made everything so clear.

Fantastic experience: The best driving instructor. Was very patient with me and always managed to squeeze me in and even when i was failing my theory tests allowed me to take a break from driving to save money and got me back in driving when i passed my theory. Couldn’t recommend him enough ! ☺️

Fantastic experience: I passed on my first time with Gary he’s a good instructor that takes his time to make sure you will get the hang of all the manoeuvres

Fantastic experience: I’ve put off learning to drive for over 10 years, never did I think I would be able to get behind the wheel of a car, let alone pass a driving test. I was open with Gary about my nerves and from the get go he was nothing but patient, considerate and methodical with me. I never once felt out of my depth, my confidence grew with each lesson thanks to Gary’s understanding of what was needed for me. In the space of 7 months I’ve gone from being scared to even sit in a driving seat to passing my test first time with confidence. If you’re nervous, apprehensive, or just want to ensure you will pass your test, choose Gary. The reason I was so confident is because I knew I could drive, and that is all thanks to the way Gary teaches. He doesn’t just teach you to pass a test, he teaches you how to feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel, regardless of what you encounter, and this is key to going into a test ready where anything can happen. I can’t recommend Gary enough, he has been utterly amazing.

Fantastic experience: As someone who was very nervous about learning to drive, I couldn't be happier with the experience. Gary was incredibly patient and understanding, which made all the difference. He took the time to understand my concerns and tailored each lesson to build my confidence gradually. Going beyond just preparing me for my driving test, Gary taught me the skills for everyday driving and using motorways. Thanks to Gary, I passed first time and now feel confident behind the wheel.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing instructor, I would recommend to anybody learning how to drive. I passed my test first try with ZERO faults with Gary!

Fantastic experience: Gary is the most patient and understanding person I have met. I am the most nervous person and he helped me pass . I cannot recommend him enough.

Fantastic experience: I can’t recommend Gary enough! For all of my lessons he put me at ease and helped me feel more confident while driving. He was always on time for my lessons, always really patient with me and he was always happy to go over things multiple times until I got the hang of it. Because of Gary’s help I passed first time.

Negative experience: Unfortunately I have had a very bad overall experience with this instructor and had to discontinue the lessons. There were little unprofessional things such as answering phone calls during my lesson and asking to pull up to an ATM to be payed half way through the lesson. He also was rude after showing up late one day and though I had booked that time slot weeks in advance made out that I was an inconvenience to his schedule. He claims to be good with nervous drivers and people with anxiety/neurodivergent but he clearly lacks any and all basic understanding on how to treat people with these as someone with autism and anxiety he has treated me very poorly at times. Overall through his bad mood and grabbing the wheel and gears off of me when not at all necessary he has made me far more nervous to drive. The worst and last incident was when he shouted at me and called me incompetent for asking a simple question as he doesn’t make things clear. He also slammed on the brakes around other traffic which both embarrassed and scared me and this wasn’t because of any danger but rather to ‘teach me a lesson’. I left early and in tears and didn’t feel comfortable getting back in the car with a person like that. Wouldn’t recommend and a waste of time, money and dignity.

Fantastic experience: Garry is a fantastic teacher, he explains everything until you fully understand and is very patient. I passed first time and he taught me how to drive safely and confidently. Thanks garry

Fantastic experience: Me and my brother both passed our driving tests on our first attempt with Gary. I cannot recommend him enough. He was a brilliant driving instructor, very patient and explains everything in a way that you can understand so that you feel confident on the road. I've had other driving instructors in the past before, I can confidently say that I achieved the most and progressed the most whilst Gary was my instructor. I would recommend him to anyone interested in learning to drive. I am a nervous driver but I felt confident that I would pass with Gary.

Fantastic experience: Thank you Gary for putting our son Bradley through his driving and passing his test first time with 1 minor .really appreciate what you have done for brad and your patience with a pupil that has autism. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend gary as he was very patient throughout my lessons and helped me become a safe and non hesitant driver. I failed twice due to faults of my own but finally passed third time and it was because he was helpful in the build up to my test.

Fantastic experience: Gary is fantastic. The way he teaches helped me be a confident driver. Taught me how to drive my way and a way that I'm comfortable driving. Very patient and reassuring.

Negative experience: Believes the highway code only applies at certain points of the day. Gary parks in parent and child bays, with no children in his car, and justifies it with "its only early". Interestingly Gary removes his instructor signs whilst parked in parent child bays as clearly he knows its wrong. Being a driving instructor you'd think Gary would know that parents don't need those bays to be closer to things, but to have sufficient room to safely get babies and children in and out of car seats, requiring car doors to be fully open.

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend Gary. He is a brilliant driving instructor, he is patient and reassuring. The way he teaches really sticks after passing. Thank you Gary for an excellent experience

Fantastic experience: Can not even begin to thank Gary enough, a phenomenal driving instructor. He teaches you to drive not to pass a test!!! Pays attention to detail, goes through everything and anything there is to go through. A lovely man, friendly and reassuring when you find things difficult. Would 100% recommend Gary to anyone. Credits to you Gary, Thankyou.

Fantastic experience: Gary was great, I thoroughly enjoyed all the lessons and he gave lots of practical advice for safe driving once you’ve passed your test. I passed first time with only two minor faults. Very happy.

Fantastic experience: I can’t thank Gary enough, he is an excellent Instructor, I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t have passed with anyone else, he is meticulous in his teaching and will go over your weak points time and time again until they become second nature. I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone wishing to learn to drive.

Fantastic experience: The most incredible driving instructor there ever is. I went to Gary after i struggled and found it so hard to even park, Gary made me so at ease explained it all so well we repeated anything I was stuck on untill it stuck and there was never a feeling of embarrassment. I am going to miss him so much and anyone who is thinking about driving needs to go with Gary! Absolutely incredible person and instructor ♡

Fantastic experience: Would highly recommend Gary he is a very friendly and experienced instructor and is willing to be patient with you and works really hard to get you up to test standards. He is really good at building confidence on the roads and helping with pre test nerves you couldn’t ask for a better instructor

Fantastic experience: Couldn’t recommend Gary enough, the best driving instructor!!! Gunna miss our lessons now I’ve passed. Gary is so patient and teaches you in ways you will remember, which helped me pass first time! Thank you for everything Gary

Fantastic experience: I am quite an anxious person and had put off starting my lessons until in my 30s. Gary was extremely patient and calming, and really helped me to feel at ease behind the wheel. Can't recommend him enough for people who are nervous or struggle with anxiety - passed first time!

Fantastic experience: Really helpful with answering questions, and easy to talk to. Gave good advice thank you for your help I appreciate it

Fantastic experience: Gary's driving techniques are the best he shows you the simple ways of how to do parking etc but also the harder ways and safest ways, he also teaches extra things to how it would be in the real world once ypu have passed. With Gary's help I passed first time on my practical but also he helped my pass my theory the first time to. Besides him being a teacher he is also a very kind and helpful person and great to have a laugh with. So all in all he is the greatest teacher I have ever had.

Fantastic experience: I passed my test with Gary in 2014. He was absolutely brilliant throughout my journey. I failed twice but that was because of my nerves. Gary talked me through everything that could improve my nerves and helped me to finally pass. I was a very nervous driver but now i'm very confident and drive very safely. All of this is down to Gary's patience and thorough teaching. I would defo recommend him. Lovely, calm and patient man.

Fantastic experience: An Excellent Driving Instructor . Very thorough well planned out learning programme which gets you ready to take your Driving Test... and PASS IT!! Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Gary was an amazing instructor, he is very friendly; always making me feel comfortable and confident whilst driving. He is also thorough in his teaching as well as patient, I recommend him to everyone!

Fantastic experience: Gary is thorough & meticulous to detail & has the ability to pick up on weaknesses or repeat mistakes & iron them out. Furthermore aiding & assisting the learner to become test ready & a safe driver. I had some driving anxiety & I’m in my forties so it was quite some time before I was ready for the practical test. Best part of two years, at only one lesson a week. However I passed first time theory & practical owing to Gary’s helpful guidance & knowledge of how to pass both the tests! If like me you’ve ever had that little voice in your head saying ‘’I’ll never be able to drive’’, just ignore it, give Gary a call & persevere !!

Negative experience: Gary is a nice enough person. But he insisted on telling me his family life. This is not what I needed from a driving instructor. He also told me that I was ready to pass my test. So I managed to book a test, and once I did it he told me that the needed another 2 month and that he would not let me use his car for the test. I had to hire a car and take the test with no help from Gary. Once he had his money he did not care if you passed or not.

Fantastic experience: I passed my test with Gary smithson back in 2008 and he is the best instructor ever as I have Asperger's syndrome and other complications.