RoadSmart - Driver Coaching & Development

Fantastic experience: I feel so lucky to have had Les as my driving instructor. After 10 years on the roads in America I thought it would be a breeze to get behind the wheel here in the UK. Turns out I was very wrong. Les was such a great instructor and really helped me become a confident driver and pass my test (first time!). He focuses on making his students well rounded drivers rather than having us memorize test routes or practice the same roads over and over again. After working with him I truly feel like I can now get behind the wheel anywhere with confidence.

Fantastic experience: Les was a great instructor throughout my experience learning to drive who provided multiple resources and methods to help me improve my ability to handle the road as well as a lot of encouragement whenever I was struggling with something when learning.

Fantastic experience: Les is a great instructor - he is very knowledgeable, patient as well as a very lovely person. His method of teaching makes it so easy to learn, and I like the way he makes you constantly reflect on your lessons and learn from your mistakes. I would definitely recommend him to anyone - I managed to pass first time with no minors because of him which proves how great he is!

Fantastic experience: Les is an absolutely fantastic instructor. I had about 20-30 hours driving experience before started lessons with Les, thinking I was already a fairly competent driver. Although he was only ever was supportive of my skills, his depth of teaching and the effort he puts into every lesson made me realise I had only scratched the surface of what truly safe and skilled driving looked like. Les isn’t the type of instructor that teaches you to “pass” a test. He isn’t the type of instructor to only take you on test routes or teach you gimmicky ways of passing. He is the type of instructor to teach you how to drive for the rest of your life. He focuses on awareness, planning, hazard perception, progressive driving and so much more, all while giving you an individualised, client centred experience. Personally, moving from a very quiet rural area with little traffic and barely any junctions, I never thought I would feel at ease driving on unknown roads, let alone all over the Newcastle city centre and all over the North East! As a learner you can really tell he is passionate about safety and making sure he would be happy driving alongside you in the real world. I owe all of the freedom I have gained since passing first time to Les and I can’t thank him or recommend him highly enough.

Fantastic experience: Les is a brilliant driving instructor and I could not recommend him enough! I started driving lessons in 2021 but had a break until after I passed my theory test. As a learner suffering with anxiety, Les is the most patient and the most professional instructor and he goes out of his way to ensuring his pupils overcome their struggles, whether its their nerves or anything about the roads they don’t understand. Again I could not recommend Les enough and I’d like to say a big thank you for all of your help.

Fantastic experience: I started learning with Les last August, after failing my first test with a different instructor. Despite not starting from scratch, it felt that way after lessons being paused due to lock down. I suffer with anxiety with driving but Les's calm demeanor and teaching style put me at ease quickly and he takes the time to talk through your struggles clearly. He goes above and beyond to make sure you are as prepared as you can be for your test and encourages you to plan out what you want to improve on with helpful criticisms. After just over 6 months I passed my test with flying colours and great confidence to be an independent driver at last. Id highly recommend Roadsmart driving school for anyone looking to learn how to drive and I'm very grateful for all Les's help.

Fantastic experience: Les is a skilled, reflective and patient practitioner. He offers a differentiated and learner-centred approach, no lesson ever felt generic; instead each lesson was tailored using my individual reflection and guidance from Les. I delayed learning to drive for years due to anxiety and a lack of confidence of my abilities. Without Les and his unwavering support, I truly believe I would not have developed the skills in order to have passed my test. Les is calm, compassionate and considered at all times which created a holistic and adaptable learning environment. I not only learned to pass a test, but to be a safe and confident driver for life and ultimately I learned to love to drive (something I never thought I would say!)

Fantastic experience: I put off learning to drive for years as I simply didn't think I would be able to learn. I'd tried with one other instructor and found the first lesson too much and gave up again. When I came across LHDT, their values sounded like it could finally be the driving school to get me driving. The first lesson with Les was slow, steady, and gave me a chance to get over the fear of moving too fast (while we drove at 4mph, as I swore he'd never get me to go any faster). As we progressed through lessons, Les made it feel okay when I needed to take a step backwards as I was feeling a bit wobbly, and challenged me when he knew I was capable of more than I dared believe. The LHDT online learning platform was great for doing loads of learning outside of lessons, the resources provided even before I had my first lesson helped me feel confident and knowledgeable, and helped me keep progressing between lessons. At the start of my first lesson, Les asked what my goal was with learning to drive, I said - to be a confident and safe driver - and here we are, passed my test and feeling confident to drive on my own and explore. THANK YOU!

Fantastic experience: Les is a great instructor, very organised, patient and explains things properly. Willing to go over things as many times as is needed and will go the extra mile to make sure you understand and can master every part of driving. I remember being so nervous in the beginning but I've just passed my test this morning. Thanks Les, couldn't have done it without you

Fantastic experience: Les was a great driving instructor, super friendly and goes that extra mile. He was recommended to me by a friend and I would be sure to recommend him to anyone I know looking for lessons as I am certain they will have the best experience!!

Fantastic experience: Les is a fantastic driving instructor. Always so patient, calm and puts you at complete ease. I couldn’t have passed my test on Saturday without his help and support during my lessons. He helped massively with my confidence to drive safely. I would highly recommend Les to anyone wanting to learn to drive. Thank you again Les

Fantastic experience: I restarted lessons with Les after a couple of years off and passed with 3 minors. Couldn't have asked for a more patient and friendlier instructor! Les was great at helping me build up my confidence in driving throughout the whole process

Fantastic experience: Les is a great driving instructor. He is the most calm, fair, patient, supportive and reassuring person, and that is reflected in his teachings. I couldn't imagine learning or passing with anyone else! His knowledge and teachings of driving is extensive and I appreciated that he explained everything for me to understand clearly. I suffered horrendously with nerves, anxiety and lack of self confidence especially the closer my test got but Les was constantly there to advise, support and steer me in the right direction! He really helped with my confidence in driving and myself! I passed first time and feel that I will be a safe and confident driver and that is all thanks to Les. I can't thank him enough!

Fantastic experience: Les is a wonderful driving instructor. He is the most reassuring, calm and supportive people I have ever met! I couldn’t imagine learning to drive with anyone else. If you are an anxious driver like I am he is the best out there. I experienced two driving instructors before him and they almost put me off driving for good, Les definitely helped with my confidence in driving and I will always be grateful.

Fantastic experience: Excellent driving instructor! Patient and explains everything perfect and at your own pace. Couldn’t of passed without him!

Fantastic experience: An incredible instructor who has so much faith and determination in his students ! Couldn’t have gotten over my nerves without him ! Thank you so much Les

Fantastic experience: Fantastic instructor, I couldnt have asked for someone better to teach me, correct me and give me everything I needed to pass. Always fair in both compliments and critique. I passed 1st time with 4 minors, and I owe that pass to him.

Fantastic experience: Les is an excellent instructor and i thoroughly enjoyed my lessons with him. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Couldn’t recommend a better driving instructor. Les is calm and patient which really helps with nerves at the beginning and he has helped me grow in confidence when driving as well as teaching me some great tips for the road. A great all round guy, would 100% recommend to anyone looking to learn how to drive. Thanks to Les, I have passed my test first time.

Fantastic experience: Class instructor. Calm and patient which helps you grow your confidence on the road. Couldn’t recommend a better guy.

Fantastic experience: Les is a fantastic driving teacher and I couldn't recommend him more. He gave me the confidence to drive well and to drive safely. With massive thanks to Les I passed my driving test today!

Fantastic experience: I started learning with Les after a bad experience with a previous instructor a few years ago, and the difference in teaching styles was mindblowing. Les is a patient instructor who will adapt his teaching to you as an individual; as a nervous learner initially he put me at ease and as I progressed he helped me analyse why I was making mistakes in my driving and then helped me fix them, and I couldn't have passed without him! I really would recommend him to everyone - and have done!

Fantastic experience: Thanks for everything Les Great approach to lessons and puts you at ease Passed my test and feel confident to start driving because of the time spent with me