Henry McMakler - Driving Instructor

Hi, my name is Henry and I am a Grade 5 driving instructor in the Southampton area. I have been a running my own driving school in London for the past 4 years and have moved to the slightly quieter Southampton and Eastleigh areas.

Moving from any big location like London or Birmingham to somewhere small like here provides a variety of different challenges. Driving lessons in somewhere quiet like Leamington, Spalding or Paisley driving schools can vary enormously as compared to a big city.

Being a driving instructor has its own challenges and joys - the freedom of being self employed is one of the main joys, leading to a more relaxed atmosphere in the tuition car, which, in turn, helps the learner driver to learn more effectively.

In London most of my work came from referrals from ex students. Basically they liked my teaching style and results that I helped them to obtain, and therefore they were keen to spread the news.

Working for a national driving school - as I did at the beginning of my instructing career - had it's drawbacks and also its benefits. It generally works out to be more expensive when working for a big school, but also you find that there is slightly less stress involved in keeping the car on the road. If anything was to go wrong they would simply sort it out.

Today I have a solution to both those problems. I use a fully maintained school car, which helps with the reliability factor of having any issues easily ironed out, and also not using one of the national driving schools, I can afford to keep my prices down.

The route to becoming a driving instructor is not at all easy, but it is a good start to being properly prepared to teach the general public to drive. The training is concluded by three main tests. Firstly there is a theory test (not unlike the one for learner drivers), secondly there is a driving ability test, then lastly, and probably most importantly, there the the test of teaching ability.

These reasonably strict tests leave future pupils confident that their trainer (if fully qualified) has been put through thier paces. From that point of view, it can therefore be worthwhile to ask your instructor if indeed they are fully qualified. This question could be an apt one as the DSA issue a number of trainee licences each year for trainees who are trying to aquire some additional experience.

I have begun additional training myself to train driving instructors for their future career. I see this as the next significant step in my career. I find this a valuable addition to even my learner driver training, as my training also includes many valuable aspects which easily cross over to benefit others.

To book your driving lessons in Southampton call me now on 07868 7123723 or email me on bookings@mc-makler.info