Our Student’s Testimonies

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I was a “mature” (34) driving student with a lot of anxiety and a particular dislike of driving. I had sat on my learners license for far too long, and had not felt encouraged with the driving instructors I had tried. I contacted Tony and Wendy (and later, Christina) at Excellence Driving Academy at the suggestion of a colleague with family members that had also been very reluctant drivers, but who had successfully got their licenses with Tony and Wendy’s help.
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Tony, Wendy, and Christina were all immediately friendly, and set me far more at ease behind the wheel than I had expected was possible, certainly far more than I had with any other driving instructor. They also seemed very quick to figure out my particular struggles with driving, and to reassure me through them. I very much got the impression they had “seen it all before”. Not once was I made to feel foolish for being a mature student or for struggling. We started with a driving simulator. I was initially skeptical about this, but was quickly won over. I now think this is a very good thing for hesitant drivers, even if they have driven a lot on their learner’s with a supervisor, as I had done. We soon got on the real road, and I got my restricted license in December 2021, which I had dismissed for a long time as not possible for me. This was amazing all by itself.
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Wendy gently encouraged me several times over the course of the next two years to continue with the full license test once I was eligible, while I recovered from an unrelated episode of poor mental health. When I did finally re-engage with Excellence Driving Academy in January 2024, I had a set of road lessons mostly with Christina, and got my full license on my first attempt in April 2024—which was a lot quicker than I had expected.
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I can’t emphasise enough how remarkable all of this is. I had accepted—and my friends and family had accepted—that I would probably never drive unsupervised. From my point of view, Tony, Wendy, and Christina at Excellence Driving Academy did the impossible. If you’re in anything like my situation, ask them for help; you’ll be in good hands.
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—Tom R.

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Tony and Excellence Driving School taught my son to drive at a higher level than required to pass the test. Excellent life long skills to drive competently and confidently.

–Julia E.

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My grandson attended Tony's Driving Academy 18 months ago to help him with his Restricted License. My grandson struggles academically but with Tony's expertise he was able to help him pass his Restricted License.

My grandson is now a confident and careful driver thanks to his many visits to the Academy. He is due to sit his Full License in March so we will go going back to Tony for lessons again.

I have recommended Tony's Driving Academy to many of my friends and I have another grandson who is due to sit his Learners License end of the month and he will also attend Tony's Driving Academy.Nga mihi.
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–Emma M.

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I have had a phobia about driving all my life, my fear was so great that I couldn’t even sit in the driver’s seat of a car without having a panic attack.When I saw a driving academy advertising a driving simulator, I thought I would try and see if I could conquer my fear. One year later, and at age of 53, I have just passed my restricted licence!

If I hadn’t had access to the simulator, I would never have had the courage or ability to learn to drive. Having the safety net of learning the mechanics of driving in the simulator was instrumental in being able to overcome my fear.

–Rachel M.

“Thanks so much for your expertise and support to my daughter to get ready to pass her test . It made a real difference to her skills but more importantly her confidence and I'm really grateful and I know she is too. Many thanks again. Ngā mihi.

–Dr Stacey W.

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I want to start off by saying that I came into this driving course with a feeling of contempt for driving, didn’t see the point of it, had bad experiences with instructors in Ireland so I felt very discouraged.

Not only did Tony & Christina patiently teach me how to properly drive, but they gave me the confidence and showed me the need to do so. They’ve completely changed my mind about driving, each time I was eager for the driving lessons to start so I can drive. I now take great pleasure in driving and I’m not scared to do so.

I wholeheartedly recommend this company’s services and the instructors, they really do wonders! And today, as I’m writing this review, I have to tell you that I’ve just passed my restricted license test.

Thanks so much Tony & Christina!!!

–Kinga

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It was such a relief that he passed first time, as I think it would have thrown his confidence if he had of failed, and that he passed is certainly a reflection of yours and Tony's great work teaching Ethan. He is yet to go for a drive by himself, but will certainly be pushing him to drive to work at least in the coming week!

Thanks for your assistance. It has been well worth the cost of the simulator and lessons to get him to this point.
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–Jeff & Donna

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As a late bloomer learning to drive the thought of getting behind the wheel was terrifying. Learning the basics of driving in a simulator in a variety of simulations was ideal for me.

After losing contact with Tony and going through another trainer to learn on-road, we reached an impasse where the trainer couldn't get me any further. On failing my restricted licence, I reached out to Tony, and he broke driving down into a series of steps that helped get me around the mental overwhelm. On the day of my resit test, we drove around the test track beforehand, then sat the test and passed successfully!

–Jason L.

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“Totally worth it and will be sending my new learner driver through the course.”

–Debra W.

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I found the simulator an ideal option as someone with anxiety. For some people just the thought of driving a car too scary putting them off learning altogether so having the option of learning in a simulator is really valuable.

It's a great way to go through scenarios that might not happen on the road every day or during a lesson but that are still important to be prepared for. Sometimes hearing verbally isnt enough to fully understand how you need to react in driving situations so being able to demonstrate it safely and be able to rewind and look through what I had done and where I needed improvements was helpful.

By the time I was in the road I already had experience noticing what cars were doing ahead of me and other tell tale signs of what a person may be planning to do before they do it which is something I dont think I would have been able to grasp without seeing it in the simulator first.
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The sim set me up for success and reduced the amount of on road lessons I needed as by the time I got on the road I felt I was already half way done.
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–Siobhan F.

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Paul helped me get my restricted license. He went above and beyond what I would expect from a driving instructor. I felt supported and valued. Not only am I a much better driver than I was before his lessons, I also feel safer on the road. I have the skills and the attitude to stay safe.

–Dave, Chch.

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Best trainers in nz. So supportive. Best results in manawatu with a 95% pass rate first time sitting the restricted test. The simulator is great for anxiety trained me in 6 lessons with just a few on road Tony is an awesome coach.

–Jen G.

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Thanks so much for your instruction and guidance with my son over the last couple of months, you truly have a great way with teenagers and my son certainly has a lot of respect for you and your knowledge.

I’m happy to say you can add another pass to your list of achievers. Will be back in contact in a couple of months with the daughter.

–Lynette B.

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I just wanted to let you know my daughter passed her restricted driving test today. Many thanks to you for the lesson she had with you and your sound advice. It paid off! We will certainly recommend your service to friends.

–Jo T.

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I have found the simulator very helpful in my journey of learning to drive. As someone who is very anxious about driving, the simulator has allowed me to face my fears in a controlled environment, as well as learn the basics of operating a vehicle.

The sim allowed me to become confident in my ability to make decisions when driving, and allowed my confidence improve overall. I highly recommend the driving simulator when learning to drive as it sets you up nicely for when you start driving on the road.

–Raven S.

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Thank you so much Paul for teaching me to drive “on the wrong side” of the road. First time for me driving on the left side and I was nervous, but Paul was so calm and nice so I forgot to be nervous. Thank you also for all your good advise. I had two awesome lessons with you.

–Anette S.

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Our Student’s Testimonies

Scared, Anxious or Nervous?
Lost Confidence?
We can train you!

Palmerston North

Christchurch

Simulator Sales

Bay of Plenty

Our Student’s Testimonies

Scared, Anxious or Nervous? Lost Confidence? We can train you!

Palmerston North

Christchurch

Simulator Sales

Bay of Plenty

Scared, Anxious or Nervous?
Lost Confidence?
We can train you!