Question 1

Can I purchase a gift voucher?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course.  To purchase a driving lesson gift voucher for any occasion just use this Gift Voucher Link.(https://squareup.com/gift/MLKZS7PBY4CQ0/order)

Question 2

Will the same instructor be teaching me for every lesson?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  I am the owner and only instructor, so you can be assured that you will have the same driving instructor for every single driving lesson.   - Todd.

Question 3

I've been dreading this driving lesson, feeling sick about it, or wanting to cancel the lesson.

Accepted Answer

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.

This is driver training reimagined.

Question 4

What is driving safety-seeking behaviour?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What is extreme driving anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Extreme driving anxiety is a potentially debilitating combination of fear and self-pressure.
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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.
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I consult with treating psychologists as required.  Several of my students are psychologists, occupational therapists, and trauma psychologists themselves.​

Question 6

Do you offer a guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Yes I do.  At the completion of your first lesson, driving will feel much easier and less stressful than you ever expected.  If not, simply request and receive a refund, no questions asked.

Question 7

A previous driving instructor didn't listen to me / made me feel more anxious / drove for me / yelled at me.

Accepted Answer

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 - instead I focus on teaching correctly, with infinite patience, and having had racetrack and truck driving experience I'm not flustered or scared by anyone's driving, ever.

Question 8

How do you make driving feel comfortable and reduce anxiety?

Accepted Answer

I'll show you an appropriate speed to attempt various manoeuvres, depending on your stage of progress.  You don't start learning the piano by attempting Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29, and neither should you start driving with the expectation to drive like everyone else.  As supervising drivers, moving this slowly can feel extremely uncomfortable for some parents, however super-slow mode is a necessary and an absolutely critical step.

Once you're going the correct speed for you, I'll help you to (1) simplify what you're seeing and how you're processing it; (2) re-prioritise everything you see and do; and (3) redirect your focus.  This is done by teaching you various methods that aren't commonly used by many drivers, but are incredibly effective driving tools that minimise anxiety and maximise confidence.

All this happens at the right time and in the right way for you, depending on your stage of progress and how you're feeling, in a way that just works.  You will learn in a calm environment, and will have the security of both brake and accelerator dual pedal controls, a new 5-star safety rated vehicle, and most importantly a fully accredited and insured instructor with absolute infinite patience.

Question 9

Why do you specialise in neurodiversity driver training?

Accepted Answer

Driver training and effective teaching cannot be not a one-size-fits-all approach.  I really enjoy training everyone in a way that allows them to feel far more comfortable and confident on the road, using teaching methods that are customised to suit every single individual.  I teach neurodivergent students every day, and my reward is to see every student excel rapidly.

Question 10

During my first lesson, where will I be driving?

Accepted Answer

I'll guide you through the entire process of driving.  If you feel anxious we'll start off driving incredibly slowly to begin with - as slowly as suits your stage of progress, and we will begin your driving lesson in quiet streets near your home.  Slow speeds are permitted, and I'll show you how to make that feel ok for you.  You'll learn stage-appropriate methods including how to drive slowly enough to make basic driving feel comfortable!

Question 11

Can my partner or parent come along on my lesson?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

I've been told not to cross my hands when turning.  What's the deal with that?

Accepted Answer

This was how some parents were trained and it used to relate to the risks involved in cars without power steering.  Others believe that push-pulling the steering wheel will protect you from the airbag on impact - however, poor steering techniques will make a collision more likely to occur.

Crossing hands when turning isn't a negative thing anymore, and is actually preferred in driving tests as it promotes much better car control.  With the correct seating position and observation-level progress, crossing hands when turning the wheel is much faster, smoother, more efficient, and therefore far safer than any other method.

Question 13

I have my licence but I don't feel comfortable driving on freeways, at night, in tunnels, or around trucks.  Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  We can practise any situation, be it tunnels, motorways, 90kph multi-lane roads, complex junction intersections, city driving, lane changing or right turning at traffic lights.  You will quickly learn various methods to make all of the above feel so much better.

Question 14

Do you offer driving lesson packages?

Accepted Answer

I don't offer packages because the vast majority of my students progress far too quickly and need considerably fewer lessons than they expect to.

Question 15

I've been feeling overwhelmed, experiencing more anxiety, and I've lost my confidence driving.  Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, yes and yes!  I will help you feel much better about driving within about 15 minutes.  I'll teach you the tools and methods you need to feel so much more comfortable, confident, and feel less overwhelmed and far less anxious, all within a very short timeframe.

Question 16

I'm not located in your service area.  What can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you're based in another part of Sydney please email me to arrange a convenient location within my service area to meet and start your lesson from.  I also provide Whatsapp phone consultations for driving anxiety internationally, and driving test preparation consultations for locations anywhere throughout Australia.

Question 17

How many lessons does it generally take?

Accepted Answer

During your first driving lesson I'll give you a fairly precise idea.  Everyone is different.  Many students are very surprised to learn that 3-5 lessons is enough, while others need more time.  Within the first 5 minutes of your drive I will know approximately how many lessons you'll likely need.

Question 18

What is defensive driving, and do you teach it?

Accepted Answer

Defensive driving is being aware of the risks around you while driving.  The more risks you are aware of, and how to guard against them, the safer you will be.  On the road, prevention is so much better than cure.

Only the most basic of defensive techniques are involved as part of your driving test, however there are a myriad of other risks that you can learn to "see" with minimal effort.  Which drivers and vehicles in what locations are more of a risk to you, how can you determine this, and how can you minimise your risk while driving?  These topics are highlighted and appropriate defensive driving methods are integrated into every driving lesson you have.

Question 19

What kinds of things do I need to practise for my driving test?

Accepted Answer

Many students come to their first drive test preparation lesson just wanting to know how to reverse parallel park and 3-point turn.  There's a great deal more that you need to be aware of and demonstrate on your driving test:  correct procedural observation, signalling, gap selection, speed choice, following distance, lateral position and car control.  For example, as part of the gap selection criteria - if your decisions cause another road user to slow or move around you, it can very quickly result in a test termination.

For many, the most difficult part of a driving test is feeling comfortable to drive slower than usual to allow more time to think and make good decisions.  This is a far more challenging habit to change than you might expect, especially under high-pressure driving test conditions.

Test preparation lessons will help you learn correct test procedures and provide valuable insights into various areas of your driving test, however you will need to practise enough in-between your lessons to become proficient and familiar with the various drive test procedures so that it becomes habit.

Question 20

What driving test training experience do you have?

Accepted Answer

I have the unique perspective of being both a NSW and Victorian Driving Test Specialist, and I've personally accompanied and assessed thousands of in-car driving tests in Victoria.  In contrast, other general NSW instructors have no opportunity to gain real-time test assessment experience as NSW tests are conducted alone with assessors only.  Unfortunately in NSW, the only driving test that many NSW driving instructors have ever witnessed first-hand was their own.

Question 21

Just how difficult is the NSW driving test?

Accepted Answer

Sydney has the most complex, challenging, and potentially dangerous roads in Australia - and the NSW driving test requirements, as well as generally higher standards of driving proficiency in Sydney, reflects that.
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How tough is the driving test?  Extremely.  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.
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For more information about the criteria you need to satisfy for the NSW driver licence test, read the NSW Transport Guide to the Driving Test (https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/guide-to-driving-test.pdf)and the NSW Transport Driving Test Manual.(https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/testing-officers-manual.pdf)

Question 22

How much of a manual car driving test is manual-specific?

Accepted Answer

Most people are very surprised to hear that, if you can comfortably drive a manual car smoothly, then no part of the driving test is manual-specific - with the minor exception of using neutral instead of park gear, and not using neutral at any other time.  99.9% of your driving test is focused on smooth car control, exceptional observation skills, and correct habits and procedures.  Manual gears play almost no part in your driving test if you can competently use gears and clutch!

Question 23

What is your professional background?

Accepted Answer

Before specialising in neurodivergent and extreme anxiety driver training I provided executive IT network support services to governments and corporations.  I've also driven large trucks professionally, and have racetrack training and experience.

I've driven throughout Australia, NZ, Europe, USA and South America for over 25 years.  I love to drive and to teach with patience and empathy.

My education background is focused on both 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 to help you observe, analyse and process information about traffic earlier and with ease.

Once you can obtain and manage more and more information about your surroundings on the road comfortably, the more at-ease and confident you will feel.  Driving anxiety can be quickly minimised and in most cases completely overcome using these methods.

Question 24

Why is your standard lesson time less than 1 hour?

Accepted Answer

During your advanced driving lesson you will be learning new and potentially difficult manoeuvres and procedures, in unfamiliar environments, and this takes focus - a lot of focus, 100% of the time!  After just 20-30 minutes you will start to lose this focus and become fatigued, so for many students a 60 minute lesson is far too long and becomes ineffective.

Question 25

Do you offer driving assessments for my company or volunteer organisation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I will meet your staff at their work or home and conduct an extensive assessment of their driving habits and techniques.  Shortly afterwards your organisation will receive my assessment outlining the staff member's awareness and observation levels, ability to demonstrate safe driving techniques and compliance with road law.

Question 26

Do you offer international driver training at my location?

Accepted Answer

Yes I do.  This service is available for USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia & NZ residents. It is a commissioned in-person exclusive 1:1 advanced driver training service, at your location using your own car. The duration is 14 days, up to 4 hours per day, with an initial consultation included.  I guarantee that driving will feel far easier and less stressful, and sooner, than you ever thought possible.  Please email for availability.

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