Big Tom Driving School

Negative experience: (Using "my fiance" rather than his name to avoid confusion in the review due to my fiance's name also being Tom) My fiance had an intensive course with Tom a few weeks ago, unfortunately, despite me confirming prior that he was able to cope with someone that has ADHD and a lot of anxiety with driving, this was not the case. Tom assured me that he had a lot of students like my fiance, and he knew how to encourage them, apparently that means making them feel useless, incapable, and never having a positive thing to say. After that week of driving with Tom, my fiance lost every ounce of confidence, was actually scared of driving, and felt disheartened about the whole thing. Tom told him that he "felt sorry for anyone who goes out driving with [my fiance]" Who in the right mind would say that to anyone who is learning? I would like to point that that he is a capable driver, nervous (extra now), but I have been out since with him and he is not dangerous, can drive safely, and is clearly lacking confidence, making him extra cautious. I am a very nervous passenger, who adores her car, so I would not let my fiance drive if there was even a shred of worry. It appeared that Tom was more worried about ruining his car, clutch mostly, than actually encouraging my fiance. He never had a positive thing to say, only criticised and belittled. I'm utterly heartbroken that this happened as this whole experience was to build his confidence to get him in my car and driving more frequently to build on it for his test next year. We was not expecting him to be test ready after the intensive, merely confident and able to be safe on the road. Tom stole all of the little confidence he had, and now we're starting from a lower point than before the course, and over £1200 lighter. I guess at least he is safe on the road now? Not that Tom thinks so. I wish I had seen the 1 star review prior to booking, as it would have changed my mind. It appears that person had similar issues that my fiance had with Tom. Also would like to clarify that this review is to not "defame" Tom, it is merely a warning for those who are nervous drivers, or potentially those that have learning disabilities, and that it may be best to look elsewhere as you probably will not get the help, emotional support, and encouragement that you want/need from Tom. I'm sure Tom is a good instructor for those who are about test ready, as it seems he will be able to pinpoint the flaws in your driving very quickly.

Negative experience: I have not done any driving. An hour driving lesson was booked so I can ascertain whether I would prefer driving manual versus automatic which I have been learning with in London. I absolutely was made to feel like I was stupid. To be honest I suspect this might have to do with ethnicity. Immediately I got into the car , all I got was negativity , discouragement and condescending tone of interrogation mansplaining what I could not do. If you are black, just be weary because I was definitely not made to feel like I was barely being tolerated. I won’t go into details but this was a disappointing and demeaning experience for me I have not felt this way in a while to be very much aware that an experience might largely be based on the fact that I am black. Hi Tom, thank you for responding. I want to respond to your response. Please do seek legal advice as you have stated or shall I say threaten. How I feel with your attitude and tone towards me and your line of questioning is my perception and my perception is that this was racially motivated. While you seek a redress please ask your lawyer if you are allowed to record me without my permission and prior awareness that I was being recorded. Furthermore, at no point did I tell you how long I have been driving automatic for and whether or not my experience was limited. I clearly in my email to you on first contact told you when my theory was expiring. Furthermore, I also stated I wanted to sort things out before the end. None of this is new information. Equally, I did not discuss my availability or unavailability at any point, you made assumptions there as well. Given you have made a recording of me without my awareness or permission- I want your lawyer’s opinion on that and at no point in my correspondence with you was I informed of this. Your response to me and behaviour towards me has been appallingly. And my perception remains that your behaviour toward me was racially motivated . I am black and I refused to be ashamed of that. You were negative throughout my interaction with you and you made several assumptions. My experience with you has been traumatising and I have been affected emotionally and psychologically since morning because of my interactions with you today. When I left I was left in tears for several hours because of my interaction with you and how you made me feel with your interrogations. To now know that you have recorded me without my awareness , permission or you even informing me has left me even more traumatised of feeling violated. I will not be bullied or silenced with your threat of lawyer. I have taken screenshot of your response also. I hope you are aware of the Data Protection Act and its eight principles as well as the protocol to fair processes as a business or individual. Finally, I would like to know you meant by the attention of others- what others - if I am making assumptions I would presume from your write up that you mean the other driving instructors in the area so this would seem more like a threat to sideline me with others (driving instructors ) in the area . But I won’t want to make assumptions on that so I am asking for the full clarification on that statement. Update 2/3/24 I am still been gaslighted by this instructor who has taken no accountability of his actions but quick to point out he has a 7 minutes recording for which he failed to notify me before , during or after that I was been recorded until I read about the dashcam recording on the review. I am waiting on the clarification on independent action taken. Review is based off my perception of the entire experience.

Negative experience: Didn’t turn up to the second arranged lesson and instead of apologizing and rearrange he blatantly lied that he was waiting outside for 15 minutes. We were waiting outside and he was no where to be seen. Did not answer any of our calls or messages. If as he said he was waiting outside, why would he not knock on the door as he did on the first lesson. Complete time waster and very over priced which is obviously why he was the only one we could get an appointment with in the first place.

Fantastic experience: My experience of learning to drive was very positive thanks to my ‘Five Day Intensive Driving Course’ with Big Tom. I began feeling very nervous as I hadn’t enjoyed previous lessons and will eventually be driving with my young baby on board; I was helped to feel calm and relaxed from the outset with a pre-course call with Tom to discuss my reservations and needs. Tom really adapted the learning techniques to me as an individual, ensuring I was learning at my own pace and the content really started to ‘sink in’. I started out with very little confidence, but thanks to Tom and his calming influence this was overcome quickly. Tom has lots of informative videos online which help with tackling more difficult techniques and situations. I’m looking forward to my follow-on training with Big Tom and so far my experience has been fantastic and I would recommend anyone looking to start driving to give Tom a call!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic. Super professional and knows exactly what he is doing. Provides excellent supplementary materials and being picked up and dropped off is great. I did Tom's intensive course and passed first time. Cheers Tom!

Fantastic experience: I've only known Tom for a short period of time. In that time, his passion for motoring and maintaining the highest standard shines through. If I ever have to re-take my driving test or consider a change of occupation, I will give Big Tom a call.

Fantastic experience: Learning to drive with Tom helped me so much with my confidence. After not driving for a year and having a couple of instructors before him I felt very comfortable in my experience. I passed on my 2nd time and would highly recommend Tom to anyone looking for a friendly instructor who can give them the confidence they need on the road.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic driving school, I booked the 5 day intensive course on which I gained alot of experience and knowledge on how to drive. Took my test today first attempt and passed with only 2 minors and this proves how brilliantly effective Bigtom's driving school is. Thank-you to Tom and Tara who helped me to pass my test quickly. I highly highly recommended to everyone that wants to learn to drive. Thanks once again

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend BigTom. Patient and knows exactly what you need to do to improve your learning and be ready to pass your test. High standard instructor. Thanks Tom.

Fantastic experience: I started driving with Tom after failed a test with another instructor. He build my confidence by giving me clear instruction on how to improve my driving. He used different techniques to show what to do. I found the mock tests we did really helpful and showed me exactly what the examiner would be looking for. Driving every day with Tom gave me much more experience than having a lesson weekly. Tom made everything easy by booking my initial test and then finding me a cancelation because he thought I was ready to take my test earlier. On day 5 I took my test and passed with no driver errors. I would definitely recommend Big Tom Driving School and wish I'd gone with Tom in the first place.

Fantastic experience: What a driving instructor Tom is a great driving instructor having come from a full bike licence and wanting to be on four wheels I chose tom and was never disappointed with him at all he is really friendly and gives great advice and will put you at ease and also make sure you will pass your test with a high standard I really cannot recommend him enough I passed first time only one minor job well done thank you Tom One word of advice I fought a failed early on with a slight roll back but I just carried on driving how I was taught and I passed so even if you think you have failed carry on as you just never know Thank you big tom great driving instructor

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend anyone to take lessons with Tom, whether you have never driven or have experience. Our daughter Shannon had never stepped foot behind a driving wheel, and was very nervous, that was March and by August she was test ready, Tom gave her confidence and was very patient. He is also very happy to speak to parents too as many of us have been passed a while so taking Shannon out in her own vehicle I felt confident to sit beside her. Tom also encourages students to use their own car, infact Shannon felt that confident she took her test in her own car and passed first time. Thank you Tom (Mel Ronan)

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend Tom, and would like to thank him for helping me my pass my test, not only is he a great guy but also a fantastic instructor and has a lot of time for his students. Tom's knowledge of driving shows through his teaching and has great patience and made me feel at ease when driving. All round great instructor and top bloke, cheers Tom!

Fantastic experience: I'd like to thank Tom for helping me to pass my driving test first time, he did not just prepare me for the test but driving in real life, with real life situations. Tom is a very calm person and was able to help me stay calm, when I didn't do things correctly. He never got frustrated with me and kept a calm manner. He is very professional and polite, we were able to have general conversations and have a laugh when learning how to drive. I thoroughly recommend Tom and his teaching style. Thank you Tom☺

Fantastic experience: Highly recommending Tom and big Tom Driving School and here's why.... I was NEVER going to be a driver.. NEVER NEVER! Then I found Tom , the only instructor who's managed to calm me down enough to get out of 2nd gear. I have severe anxiety and also a condition which affects my memory , Tom would teach me things and I would forget but he didn't ever get stressed with me or even raise his voice ... not once! He stayed calm and patient and yesterday I passed my driving test! Tom was never late to a lesson, never on his phone during a lesson. So many other instructors are late, rude and impatient. If you want a driving teacher who takes his job seriously ad does everything he can to make you feel ok, then Tom is your guy :)