what students say ..
“ Before my lessons with Todd, I had worked with four instructors who were unable to support my anxiety about driving. From my very first lesson with Todd I have gained so much more confidence while driving and even looked forward to our lessons - which is something I never would have imagined myself saying!
I have now received my license which is directly thanks to my lessons with Todd as I previously believed that I would never be able to drive without being completely overwhelmed. I cannot recommend Todd enough!! ”
Charlotte
what students say ..
“ The idea of learning to drive was so daunting for me, but after just two lessons so far with Todd, I'm already feeling so much better about driving, to the point where I'm genuinely looking forward to the next lesson!
Todd is incredibly patient, level-headed, experienced and knowledgeable, and the wisdom and tips he shares are already proving themselves invaluable on the road. I consider myself very fortunate to have found Todd as a driving instructor and highly recommend Surry Hills Driver Training to anyone learning to drive! ”
Olivia
what students say ..
“ Firstly, I would like to highlight Todd's patience and calm demeanour. As a mature learner, getting behind the wheel and learning to drive can be a stressful experience. Todd who is patient and understanding can make all the difference. Todd's calm attitude helped me feel more relaxed and comfortable behind the wheel, which in turn made the learning process more enjoyable.
Another important aspect of Todd's teaching style was his ability to increase my confidence. After getting lessons from 4 different instructors, I wish I had known Todd first before all of them! If you are waiting for confirmation this is it, book a lesson with him to get your goals ticked to get a license and valuable life changing skills. ”
Edith
what students say ..
“ Cannot recommend Surry Hills Driver Training enough! After trying 3 different driving instructors who lacked patience or gave unclear, rushed instructions, I was lucky enough to have found Todd whose teaching style was incredibly accommodating to me as a nervous driver. His ability to teach defensive driving techniques in a clear, easily understandable way gave me so much clarity on complex situations and road laws. Todd always maintains a calm, friendly and controlled approach no matter the situation, which was especially important to me as a previously anxious driver.
Todd’s lessons have increased my confidence in my driving abilities tenfold, and have given me invaluable driving skills and perspectives that will continue to pay off for a lifetime. ”
Jarvis
what students say ..
“ Todd is an exceptional driving instructor. Very knowledgeable and patient with an inexperienced driver like myself, his calm demeanour has helped my confidence and has made learning to drive a lot less scary than anticipated! Extremely experienced and professional, I can't recommend him enough! ”
Caitlin
what students say ..
“ I cannot be more pleased with Todd! He is not only a knowledgeable and experienced driver but also knows how to teach you based on your needs. The idea of driving was a bit challenging for me at the beginning but I just needed a few lessons to build up my confidence and driving skills. He took me from my first steps on the road until being fully prepared for the test. I passed on my first attempt! Todd is the best!! I was very lucky for having him along on this journey and I would totally recommend him to anyone! ”
Sandra
Australia's Premier Extreme Anxiety Specialist Driving Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the same instructor be teaching me for every lesson?
Yes. I am the owner and only instructor, so you can be assured that you will have the same driving instructor for each and every single driving lesson.
I've been dreading this driving lesson, feeling sick about it, or wanting to cancel the lesson.
These are really common feelings for drivers who had previously given up on the idea of being able to drive. After just a few minutes however, these feelings tend to be replaced by surprise and/or shock, unexpected comfort and ease, and an eagerness to improve their skills and abilities in an area they had previously viewed as impossible to progress. I often hear "This lesson feels so much better than I expected!" within the first 5-10 minutes.
What is driving safety-seeking behaviour?
Do you change lanes, merge or enter the freeway quickly? Do you feel overwhelmed, suffer panic attacks or experience anxieties about the possibility of panic attacks before or during driving?
Need to be in the left lane, or need to rush through shortcut streets without delay in order to avoid busy roads? Or do you wait until the roads aren't busy? Do you dread being in tunnels, or turning across the path of traffic at traffic lights?
All of the above symptoms are known as driving safety-seeking behaviours - a need to rush as fast as possible into a safe place, or to have an escape or a way out immediately available.
A previous driving instructor didn't listen to me / made me feel more anxious / drove for me / yelled at me / spoke on the phone.
No more. Now you can express your concerns, have them listened to with empathy and patience, and be taught in a way that simply just works for you. I will teach you in a way that feels easy, comfortable and safe. And of course, there's never any driving the car for you, raised voices and/or yelling at you or anyone else - instead I focus on teaching correctly, with infinite patience, and having had significant racetrack and truck driving experience, I'm not flustered or scared by anyone's driving, ever.
I also wouldn't ever dream of taking phone calls while on lessons, and this, along with a desire to keep the "family" in "family time", is why you'll find that my primary contact is via email.
Can my partner or parent come along on my lesson?
Yes. I am the owner and only instructor, so you can be assured that you will have the same driving instructor for each and every single driving lesson.
What is extreme driving anxiety?
Extreme driving anxiety is a potentially debilitating combination of fear and self-pressure.
With a balanced combination of therapist advice and specialist driving lessons, driving anxiety can be reversed with subtle changes in perspective, expectations and rarely used but surprisingly simple driving techniques and habits.
I start with your own individual driving assessment and customised methods and tools that are best suited for you. I will assess your driving in a way that specifically addresses your individual perspectives, fears, and self-pressures that may not even be apparent to you - and then explain, demonstrate and practise the solutions with you in an environment that feels safe, informative, infinitely patient and genuinely reassuring.
I consult with treating psychologists as required. Several of my students are psychologists, occupational therapists, and trauma psychologists themselves.
Minimise anxiety rapidly in 1 - 3 lessons.
I'm currently accepting new clients, however short-term availability is very limited.
I teach effective anxiety and panic minimisation techniques for all situations including suburban or city driving, motorways, tunnels, bridges and driving tests, with infinite patience. Students typically make rapid progress in just 1-3 lessons.
Panic attacks & avoidance. Regain control of your life.
Panic attacks, avoiding driving, only driving in the left lane, avoiding lane changes, avoiding bridges tunnels or freeways, or feeling constantly pressured or unsure of yourself. There are very specific reasons for these safety-seeking behaviours, often unseen or misunderstood.
Unlike traditional rigid and mechanical driving lessons, my focus is to help you understand, manage and overcome the limitations and debilitating anxiety caused by these common but often unseen factors.
Fewer lessons.
Faster progress.
Learn exclusively with Todd, Australia's premier extreme anxiety and neurodiversity driver training specialist.
Learn how to gain confidence rapidly, using specialist techniques to minimise self-pressure and feel far less overwhelmed - much faster and more efficiently than traditional lessons.
Experience learning to drive in a way that is critical for comfortable, stress-free driving with ADHD, OCD, autism, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, and previous road trauma experiences.
Servicing all suburbs between Sydney Harbour / Parramatta River, Georges River, Epping and Brookvale.
Campsie, Rockdale, Peakhurst, Oatley, Bankstown, Auburn, Burwood, Five Dock, Drummoyne, Marrickville, Ryde, Carlingford, Epping, Willoughby, Mosman, CBD, Balmain, Surry Hills, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Randwick, Bondi, Coogee, Malabar, Rosebery, Leichhardt, and everywhere in-between!
- Service Areas -
I'm lucky enough to work in a specialised field that I relish - analysing and minimising each person's core difficulties, and teaching drivers how to dramatically boost their own confidence and self-belief behind the wheel, with empathy.
Showing drivers how to remove layers and layers of unseen and debilitating pressure, with infinite patience, is an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of - seeing independence grow rapidly, and the life-changing effects that it can bring about.