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 have 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 confidence in a part of daily life that was previously viewed as impossible to progress further in. I often hear "This lesson feels so much better than I expected!" within the first 5-10 minutes.
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 heavy rigid 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.
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.
Can my partner or parent come along on my lesson?
Absolutely they can! This can help partners or parents learn valuable teaching methods and techniques to make everyone feel much more comfortable for when you decide to start driving in your family car.
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 route or a way out immediately available.
Although it's in our nature to seek safety, the safe way of doing so while in a moving vehicle hasn't always been easy to understand, until now.
How do you make driving feel comfortable and reduce anxiety?
Sydney moves fast. You don't have to. I teach you how to slow it all down, simplify, re-prioritise what you're seeing and processing and redirect your focus. Learn how to confirm to yourself that you can drive well, that you're doing it correctly, and safely, gain confidence and self-assurance, and make it all far less overwhelming and much, much easier. Every single driver pressures themselves in some way - most without realising it. My role is to help you to take that pressure away.
This is done by teaching specialist methods that aren't commonly used by many drivers, nor by many driving instructors, but which are incredibly effective driving tools that minimise anxiety and maximise confidence.
This all happens at the right time, and in the right way, for you, in a way that just works. Learn in a calm and controlled environment, with the security of both brake and accelerator dual pedal controls, a new 5-star safety rated vehicle, and most importantly a fully accredited specialist instructor with absolute infinite patience.
How difficult is the NSW driving test? What's the driving test like?
I have the unique perspective of being both a NSW and Victorian Driving Test Specialist, I've consulted with Vicroads and have personally accompanied and assessed thousands of in-car driving tests, which is the preferred method in Victoria. In contrast, general NSW instructors have no opportunity to see first-hand driving test assessment methodology, as NSW tests are conducted alone with assessors only. I've witnessed in real-time just how much pressure drivers can feel during a P's test, and although it is potentially debilitating, there are unique ways to minimise this pressure and make your driving test feel much more comfortable and achievable. It doesn't have to feel impossible.
How tough is the driving test? In most areas, pretty tough. There is less room for error and a much stronger requirement for defensive driving skills compared to any other state in Australia. Driver focus, observation and hazard perception are critical to safe and efficient driving throughout Sydney, and for passing your driving test.
I have my licence but I don't feel comfortable or safe when driving. Can you help?
Absolutely. We can practise any situation, be it tunnels, motorways, 90kph multi-lane roads, complex junction intersections, city driving, lane changing or turning right at traffic lights. You'll learn unique and very effective methods of making these situations feel so much better.
Do you offer driving lesson packages?
I don't offer packages as the vast majority of my students progress far too quickly, and need considerably fewer lessons than they expect.
Do you loan your car for driving tests?
Although I don't loan my car out for driving tests due to the risk of collisions from third-parties and the impact that would have on my other clients, I do refer to preferred local instructors who actively loan test cars to students.
Why is your standard lesson time less than 1 hour?
Learning new and initially difficult manoeuvres and procedures, in unfamiliar environments, it all takes focus - a lot of focus. After just 20-30 minutes you will start to lose this focus and become fatigued, so for most students a one or two hour lesson is far too long and is much less effective for you.
Do you offer international driver training at my location?
Yes. This service is available for USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia & NZ residents. It is an in-person exclusive 1:1 driver training service, at your location, using your own car. The duration is 14 days, up to 4 hours per day, with an initial remote consultation included. I guarantee that driving will feel far easier and less stressful, and sooner, than you ever thought possible. Please email for availability.
How did you come to be an anxiety and neurodiversity focussed specialist instructor?
My education background is centered around machine and human processing of information (Electrical Engineering and IT), and I use all my prior knowledge and experience to rapidly determine what specific psychological and technical aspects are holding you back, and then help you to observe, analyse and process information about driving and traffic in a way that's more comfortable for you.
I've driven throughout Australia, NZ, Europe, USA and South America for over 35 years, and have professional heavy rigid truck driving and also racetrack training and experience. This diverse foundation informs my unique teaching style.
Soon after becoming a driving instructor, I found an ever-increasing community of neurodiverse and extremely anxious drivers were being referred or drawn to the customised teaching style that I offer. My reward is witnessing the dramatic positive change that this process brings to the day to day lives of my clients.
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.