Celebrating Shannon’s Success!
Huge congratulations to Shannon, who passed her driving test today with Instructor Peter at Only Automatic Driving School! This wasn’t Shannon’s first attempt, but her determination, hard work, and positive attitude made all the difference. She kept showing up, learning from each lesson, and today she crossed the finish line with flying colours.
We’re incredibly proud of your perseverance, Shannon—proof that progress comes to those who keep going. Enjoy the freedom and confidence that comes with your new licence!
Ready to start your own journey? Book your lessons at onlyautomatic.com/contact.
What a day for Driving Instructor Andy and Only Automatic Driving School – and an even bigger day for Lauren! 🎉
Lauren, originally from the USA and now calling the North East home, has smashed her driving test in Durham today with an incredible result: a FIRST-TIME PASS with just 2 minor faults.
Balancing work in sport and the community with learning to drive is no small feat, and Lauren has done it all with determination, positivity and focus. Her passion for travel has been a big part of her motivation too – and now she’s officially road-ready just in time for her next adventure to the Scottish Highlands in the very near future. Imagine those stunning views, scenic drives and total freedom … all now possible thanks to her full UK licence!
This pass is extra special for Andy as well – Lauren’s success means he now holds a 100% pass rate for 2025 so far! A huge achievement and a testament to the calm, structured and supportive lessons Andy provides at Only Automatic Driving School.
Angie, another first time passer for Tony😊
Today we celebrate a truly inspiring driving success story – and it belongs to the amazing Angie Lin!
Despite truly awful weather – the kind that makes even experienced drivers think twice – Angie passed her UK Automatic Driving Test today on her very first attempt, with just a single driving fault. That’s an outstanding result in any conditions, but in heavy rain and poor visibility, it’s something really special.
Meet Angie: Determined, Dedicated, and Driven
Angie works incredibly hard, six days a week at House of Zen, and still found the time, energy, and commitment to learn to drive and prepare for her test. Balancing work, family, and lessons is never easy, but Angie took on the challenge with quiet determination.
She’s originally from Fuzhou City in Fujian Province, China, and is building a new life here in the UK. Angie is a proud mum of three children. Her oldest daughter is here in the UK with her, and she’s working hard towards the dream of bringing her other two children over in the future.
Learning to drive isn’t just a licence for Angie – it’s a huge step towards greater independence, more opportunities, and a better future for her family.
Smashing the Test in Terrible Weather
On test day, the weather was about
Grace has DONE it – First Time Automatic Driving Test Pass! 🎉
From the very first lesson, Grace was:
Full of questions and eager to learn
Bursting with funny sayings that kept every lesson entertaining
Calm, confident and totally natural behind the wheel
Her terrific sense of humour made each drive fun, but don’t be fooled – she took her learning seriously and it shows in this brilliant first-time pass. Grace picked things up quickly, listened carefully, and turned every bit of feedback into progress on the road. A natural driver through and through.
Huge congratulations, Grace – Peter and everyone at Only Automatic are so proud of you! 🚗💨
If you’re ready to start your own driving journey – whether you’re a complete beginner or coming back after a break – we’d love to help you get that pass too.
A Star Pupil on the Road and in Life
What a fantastic end to 2025 for Lydia – and for Andy!
Today, Lydia from Barley Mow absolutely smashed her driving test, passing with zero driving faults. That’s a clean sheet – something very few learners achieve. It shows just how calm, focused, and capable she is behind the wheel.
At just 18 years old, Lydia has balanced learning to drive with her demanding and rewarding role as a teaching assistant working with special needs children. That alone says a lot about her patience, kindness, and maturity – all qualities that also make for a safe, considerate driver.
Pregnant Pause for Sangeetha
Pregnant Pause
Congratulations to Sangeetha, who passed her test at the first attempt today with only a few driving faults. The examiner waited for a few seconds (I was in the back of the car holding my breath) then said that he was pleased to tell Sangeetha that she’d passed. With a baby due in January, Sangeetha has a lot to celebrate, and will surely enjoy driving her young son and new born baby around in the car she has told me about since the first lesson - a racing-green Mini.
Driving hasn’t come naturally to Sangeetha, so her pass today is a testament to how much effort and commitment she has given throughout the whole learning process, and she’s proved that resilience is essential, as not all lessons have gone the way she wanted them to.
Well done, Sangeetha. I couldn’t be prouder of you. Stay safe and I’ll see you in that Mini on the roads.
Celebrating Chris’s Driving Test Success and Bright Future Ahead!
We’re thrilled to share the inspiring story of Chris, an avid Sunderland AFC supporter and all-round good guy, who recently achieved a major milestone — passing his driving test in Sunderland!
Chris’s journey to driving independence has been a combination of determination, dedication, and a positive attitude. With the support of our friendly instructor Peter, Chris enjoyed every lesson and made steady progress towards his goal. Peter often mentioned how much he enjoyed working with Chris, who demonstrated great enthusiasm and commitment throughout his lessons.
Now, with his driving test behind him, Chris is planning to get a car — a big step towards more freedom and flexibility as he prepares to start an exciting new apprenticeship. His bright future is just beginning, and we’re proud to have been part of his journey.
Ella Finally Nails it!
lla from Durham, a determined and ambitious student, has finally conquered the winding roads of success by passing her driving test with flying colors! After facing challenges and setbacks, including two unsuccessful attempts with another driving school, Ella found her stride with the expert guidance of Andy, a dedicated team member at Only Automatic Driving School.
With only two minor driving faults, her achievement is not just a pass but a testament to her perseverance and hard work.
Her triumph is a source of immense pride, inspiring others to never give up in the face of adversity!
Ian’s perfect pass for his young son
Ian has achieved a perfect zero faults pass, an impressive accomplishment given the typical UK first-time zero fault pass rate of just 1-3%.
This pass was particularly significant as it allows him to reliably transport his little boy and commute safely to and from night shifts.
Congratulations to Ian, with thanks to Instructor Rubel for his guidance and support throughout the learning process.
Susannah is Over the Moon!
Susannah has successfully passed her automatic driving test at Only Automatic Driving School on her very first attempt. She received just a single minor fault for briefly blocking a driveway, but this did not affect her overall performance. Susannah works for the energy provider EDF and is a proud mother of five children. Passing her test means she now has the freedom to explore more of the country and make day-to-day life easier for herself and her family.
Instructor Tony is ‘over the moon’ with Susannah’s success, praising her dedication and focus throughout the training process. Everyone at Only Automatic Driving School congratulates Susannah on this fantastic achievement and wishes her many safe journeys ahead.