22 March 2010

Looking for a decent driving school

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Hi Canberrans,

I am looking for a decent driving school, having moved to Canberra not long ago, I have sent my daughter to 3 so far. So far they have been shocking! One was so bad she came home crying because he made her feel so uncomfortable….

Can anyone suggest a reputable and honest driving school for us to try?

Thank you.

Seeking.

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Holden Caulfield12:02 am 26 May 10

Dereck from Fifth Gear might be worth a try as well. He caters to a wide range of needs from first timers, to defensive driving and even track-time if that’s what you’re after.

I’ve only used him for a couple of skid pan days and found he’s a very calm and measured sort of guy. Just the type of character you need when getting driving tuition!

georgeoscarbluth5:09 pm 25 May 10

I would thoroughly recommend Grant from Pinnacle Driving – I was a ‘mature’ learner and he was just fantastic, and I also felt really supported by Ron and Sue as well. After putting it off for so long, I was able to get my license is record time.

somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn12:42 pm 29 Mar 10

gospeedygo said :

Try the NRMA Safer Driving School
http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/nrma-safer-driving-school-home.htm

I would avoid them. $78 (or more) per lesson. I went with them for 3 lessons, most arrogant driving instructor ever!!

In the end, I finished my L’s off with Greg at Road Ready. Best driving lesson ever

grumpyrhonda8:52 pm 28 Mar 10

Ron from Pinnacle Driving school is excellent.

Observing said :

UrbanReality said :

michellethompson said :

Seeking, you should definitely hire Kirrilee. She offers a lower rate than most other driving schools in the ACT and shes a great instructor, I can vouch for that.

Again I am not talking about kangaroos at high speed. Im talking about small animals sitting in the middle of the road going 50k/hr in a residental area. She told me not to slow down for them because they will move by themselves when the car close enough.
I am not misinformed, I had her as my teacher for 3 or 4 lessons. Did not like the way she taught especially after she told me not to slow down for hazards on the road.

If Kirrilee is teaching that, then I would avoid her. Three times I ignored what a driving instructor advised and swerved around animals on the street rather than kept going straight at the same speed. All three times I’m so glad I did because otherwise I would have killed the animal, damaged my car and possibly injured myself. All three times, the animal stared at the lights and did not budge. It would have been a smear if I didn’t practice another bit of contradictory advise instructors give you – be aware of hazards on the road and drive to avoid them.

I guess if these instructors are pet haters, it gives them a clean conscience when they plough through the surburban cat population with glee….

that said, its three times you could’ve swerved into oncoming traffic,.. common sense while driving is something missing from driving schools, learners only learn from their parents driving habits, and lucky breaks doing somthing stupid ,…

ApexDrivingSchool12:43 pm 25 Mar 10

Hello Everyone,

We have been following the discussions on the Riot Act for a while now, and as a driving school in Canberra we would normally not be involved in your discussions about driving schools. However we would like to put the record straight as far as Kirrilee Gentleman is concerned. Kirrilee did work for Apex, and she did a wonderful job for our school. It was our loss when Kirrilee chose to go out on her own, and we are happy to hear she is doing very well. Apex Driving School believes that Kirrilee is an excellent instructor, who teaches quality driving instruction with the safety of all of us in mind.

Everyone has their own personal feelings with regards to their driving instructors, and all we can suggest is that you look for someone who matches your needs and personality. Good luck everyone, may we all be safe on our roads.

Cheers,
Apex Driving School.

Driving well is a skill, I feel for your daughter and hope she finds a good teacher!

squashee said :

Mully’s Driving School in Queanbeyan used to be good…

Hear they are a bit short staffed now though..

Nah, they’re not very good at defensive driving techniques.

UrbanReality said :

michellethompson said :

Seeking, you should definitely hire Kirrilee. She offers a lower rate than most other driving schools in the ACT and shes a great instructor, I can vouch for that.

Again I am not talking about kangaroos at high speed. Im talking about small animals sitting in the middle of the road going 50k/hr in a residental area. She told me not to slow down for them because they will move by themselves when the car close enough.
I am not misinformed, I had her as my teacher for 3 or 4 lessons. Did not like the way she taught especially after she told me not to slow down for hazards on the road.

If Kirrilee is teaching that, then I would avoid her. Three times I ignored what a driving instructor advised and swerved around animals on the street rather than kept going straight at the same speed. All three times I’m so glad I did because otherwise I would have killed the animal, damaged my car and possibly injured myself. All three times, the animal stared at the lights and did not budge. It would have been a smear if I didn’t practice another bit of contradictory advise instructors give you – be aware of hazards on the road and drive to avoid them.

I guess if these instructors are pet haters, it gives them a clean conscience when they plough through the surburban cat population with glee….

UrbanReality10:49 am 24 Mar 10

michellethompson said :

The woman from apex who drove the silver swift was Kirrilee Gentlemen who was recommended by tortfeaser. She’s a great driving instructor, she was very supportive of me and I’ve also heard great things from friends of mine who have got their license through her too.

All the criticisms that have been posted about Kirrilee are misinformed. Urbanreality, you are not supposed to swerve from animals (such as kangaroos). I can’t believe people on the roads still think that. Imagine driving at night and having a car in the other lane swerve and hit your car going 80km/h trying to miss a kangaroo? I hope we never cross paths in that situation…

Also, smiles, Kirrilee was not fired – she now owns asap driving school.

Seeking, you should definitely hire Kirrilee. She offers a lower rate than most other driving schools in the ACT and shes a great instructor, I can vouch for that.

Again I am not talking about kangaroos at high speed. Im talking about small animals sitting in the middle of the road going 50k/hr in a residental area. She told me not to slow down for them because they will move by themselves when the car close enough.
I am not misinformed, I had her as my teacher for 3 or 4 lessons. Did not like the way she taught especially after she told me not to slow down for hazards on the road.

michellethompson9:44 pm 23 Mar 10

The woman from apex who drove the silver swift was Kirrilee Gentlemen who was recommended by tortfeaser. She’s a great driving instructor, she was very supportive of me and I’ve also heard great things from friends of mine who have got their license through her too.

All the criticisms that have been posted about Kirrilee are misinformed. Urbanreality, you are not supposed to swerve from animals (such as kangaroos). I can’t believe people on the roads still think that. Imagine driving at night and having a car in the other lane swerve and hit your car going 80km/h trying to miss a kangaroo? I hope we never cross paths in that situation…

Also, smiles, Kirrilee was not fired – she now owns asap driving school.

Seeking, you should definitely hire Kirrilee. She offers a lower rate than most other driving schools in the ACT and shes a great instructor, I can vouch for that.

dusty said :

“Crying because she was uncomfortable”….
make that crying because she is a sook. And you’re to blame.
Tell her to pay for her own driving lessons and she’ll soon stop the performances.
Keep on bailing the kid out and you’ll never make an adult out of her, tell her “Toughen up” and tell her now.
Life is full of uncomfortable situations that she will have to deal with and mummy and daddy wont always be there to rescue her.
I’ve two >18 year olds both with a drivers licence and if either of them tried your daughters little caper they would have been swiftly sent to bed without their supper!
If she cant handle being challenged why put her in charge of a motor vehicle.
By the way, the lady with the manual Suzuki Swift from Apex was excellent, she had my daughter driving a manual within 3 minutes, highly recommended.

That’s quite an ignorant remark Dusty, considering you know nothing about our situation or the circumstances surrounding the actual situation.

However……

Thank you very much people for your helpful comments, I appreciate the assistance.
Seeking.

Sorry I should have given you this too,

http://www.apexdrivingschool.com.au

0417 143 433

Cheers
Smiles 🙂

Go with Apex, I had a similar situation with my daughter, except she was terrified of driving after being in a car accident. The instructor from Apex was calm, gentle and made her feel so comfortable. He also took the time to teach me how to take her out for practice once she gained confidence.

Oh and I hear the suzuki swift driver got sacked…..

Cheers.
Smiles 🙂

UrbanReality12:38 am 23 Mar 10

bd84 said :

UrbanReality said :

Don’t go with the Suzuki Swift driver(forgot her name) of Apex. Didn’t teach me a thing and specifically told me not to brake for animals as they will move away from the front of the car on their own accord…
This was a few years back so she might have left already.

You slow for animals (e.g. kangaroos) but don’t brake hard for them because the front of the car dips when you brake hard and they are more likely to smash through your windscreen. The speed allows the front of the car to take more of the impact.

I’ve been on the road too long to have a decent suggestion, but I am pleased that you have chosen to get your daughter proper lessons. The majority of the problems with young drivers on the road these days relates to the habits passed on from mummy and daddy when they taught them to drive badly.

I understand that but what happend with me was I was slowing down for a dog/cat/small animal on the road some 20m ahead. She asked me what I was doing, I said slowing down so I dont hit/let the animal move in time and she told me not to do that because the animal will move.
This was a few years back and since then I have been in many situations, actually almost daily, where I’ve seen cats just sit in the middle of the road and wont even move if I beep the horn at it. The only way to avoid them was to apply the brakes(not slam on them) and move around it.

“Crying because she was uncomfortable”….
make that crying because she is a sook. And you’re to blame.
Tell her to pay for her own driving lessons and she’ll soon stop the performances.
Keep on bailing the kid out and you’ll never make an adult out of her, tell her “Toughen up” and tell her now.
Life is full of uncomfortable situations that she will have to deal with and mummy and daddy wont always be there to rescue her.
I’ve two >18 year olds both with a drivers licence and if either of them tried your daughters little caper they would have been swiftly sent to bed without their supper!
If she cant handle being challenged why put her in charge of a motor vehicle.
By the way, the lady with the manual Suzuki Swift from Apex was excellent, she had my daughter driving a manual within 3 minutes, highly recommended.

Mully’s Driving School in Queanbeyan used to be good…

Hear they are a bit short staffed now though..

UrbanReality said :

Don’t go with the Suzuki Swift driver(forgot her name) of Apex. Didn’t teach me a thing and specifically told me not to brake for animals as they will move away from the front of the car on their own accord…
This was a few years back so she might have left already.

You slow for animals (e.g. kangaroos) but don’t brake hard for them because the front of the car dips when you brake hard and they are more likely to smash through your windscreen. The speed allows the front of the car to take more of the impact.

I’ve been on the road too long to have a decent suggestion, but I am pleased that you have chosen to get your daughter proper lessons. The majority of the problems with young drivers on the road these days relates to the habits passed on from mummy and daddy when they taught them to drive badly.

Another vote for Pinnacle. I just passed my Ls with Grant, and I couldn’t be happier.

I definitely second Ron from Pinnacle Driving School. Myself, my younger brother, my best friend and her siblings were all taught by him.

Pinnacle Driving School were excellent when I got my licence. That was a good few years ago now and they have expanded somewhat, but if Ron is still giving instruction, he was brilliant. I’d definitely recommend them!

Kirrilee Gentleman 0410 307 328

+1 for Brent at Road Ready

UrbanReality11:52 am 22 Mar 10

Don’t go with the Suzuki Swift driver(forgot her name) of Apex. Didn’t teach me a thing and specifically told me not to brake for animals as they will move away from the front of the car on their own accord…
This was a few years back so she might have left already.

Try the NRMA Safer Driving School
http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/nrma-safer-driving-school-home.htm

I have noticed a few of their cars parked in Ngunnawal funnily enough while learning to drive myself.

Or maybe you could teach her yourself because the documentation that comes with a learners license goes into full detail about every skill and competency needed and even how to instruct someone to drive.

Road Ready:
http://www.roadready.com.au/
No: 02-62595005.

For automatic ask for Brent, manual ask for Greg 🙂

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