🌟 ZERO FAULTS IN A DOWNPOUR! 🌟#3 in 2 days!
Huge congratulations to the incredible Emma, who didn’t just pass her driving test today—she absolutely conquered it! 🚗💨
Emma’s journey is a proper "full circle" story. After an attempt a few years back, she headed off to the States to smash her PhD. 🎓 Returning home, she decided it was time to "get this thing done"—and boy, did she ever!
Despite the heavens opening and the most dreadful rainy conditions, Emma delivered a FLAWLESS drive. The examiner’s verdict? Zero faults and the easiest pass he’s ever given, even in the worst possible weather! 🌧️🙌
How did she do it? Aside from being an absolute natural, Emma used our Sunderland Loop tutorial video for inspiration, singing the song through every practice session! (Maybe that’s the secret PhD level study hack? 🎶)
As a massive Sunderland supporter and a total joy to teach, Emma has been a highlight for her instructor, Peter. You might also recognise her from our legendary Taylors Pork Pie skit—seriously, if you haven’t been to Durham to try one yet, what are you waiting for?! 🥧🏆
Emma is now on the hunt for her first car to kickstart her next chapter of travels. We’re so proud of you, Dr. Emma! We’ll hopefully see you back for PassPlus soon.
Enjoy the open road—you’ve earned it! 🔴⚪️
Zero Fault pass #2 in 2 days!
Don't let the clouds fool you—it was absolute sunshine inside the car today! 🌧️✨
A massive congratulations to Hoyee Mak for smashing her driving test on the first attempt! Even with the rainy weather, Hoyee stayed cool, calm, and collected, delivering an incredible ZERO FAULT PASS! 🏆
That makes it a "perfect game" and the second zero-fault pass in just two days for Only Automatic Driving School! The rain couldn't stop this winning streak! ☔️🚗
Originally from Hong Kong, Hoyee is a total powerhouse. When she’s not saving lives as a qualified Vet, she’s pushing people to their limits teaching spinning classes on her days off! 🐾🚴♂️ All that discipline and focus clearly paid off behind the wheel with ADI Tony.
The "L" plates are officially a thing of the past. Rain or shine, the road is yours now, Hoyee! Enjoy every mile of your new freedom! 🥂💨
*Artistic Licence *
It’s always a bit nerve-racking when the examiner gets into the car and sits next to you on test day, isn’t it? So imagine how thrilled local artist Sarah was when the test centre manager climbed into the back seat to accompany the one in the front? Gulp.
Not to worry, though, as Sarah sailed through her driving test today with zero driving faults and a glowing tribute from the examiner.
During the debriefing, the examiner told her that it was an “excellent drive” and then added “And what was particularly impressive…” as he explained how Sarah dealt with a car that dangerously overtook her on a mini roundabout. The examiner noted that Sarah had used her mirrors effectively to spot the car behind her, and was ready to slow the car down safely to avoid any potential accident. “Very impressive, indeed” he repeated.
A faultless round doesn’t happen by accident, and Sarah has spent a lot of time and effort getting ready for today’s test. She also mentioned that watching the Only Automatic driving route videos helped with the independent driving section of the test, as she was told to follow a variation of the relatively new test route, which she studied before her test.
Sarah didn’t want any old backdrop for her photo, so she chose something that always makes her smile every time we pass it on the way back to her home. She’s certainly got plenty to smile about today.
Congratulations, Sarah. ADI Ian commented that you were a delight to teach, a very interesting and funny student, and modesty personified. Stay safe, and we’ll see you on the roads.
Another Mo-mentous Pass!!
Yet another Mo-mentous occasion! Mo is on a serious roll lately—it’s like he has a secret "pass" button hidden in that car.
Check out the latest success story from the Only Automatic squad:
🚗 Another Mo-tivational Masterclass!
A massive shout-out to Jake, who didn’t just pass his test— he absolutely smashed it! Jake secured a first-time pass with a tiny 3 minors. That’s what we call Mo-mentum at its finest!
As a parts technician over at Nissan, Jake already knows his way around a vehicle, but Mo helped him put all those pieces together into one smooth driving machine. Being another fellow Sunderland fan, we’re sure there was plenty of "Ha'way the lads" chat during the lessons to keep the vibes high. 🔴⚪️
Jake joined us at Only Automatic after hearing some glowing recommendations, and he’s loved every second of the journey. From the first lesson to that final celebratory handshake, it’s been a Mo-st excellent experience.
Jake, we know you’re itching to get on the road and swap the factory floor for the open tarmac. We couldn't be happier for you!
Why Mo is the Man:
Mo-tivated: He won't stop until you've got that license.
Mo-dious: (Okay, we made that up, but he’s definitely got a rhythm for teaching!)
Mo-bile Legend: Another successful driver added to the Sunderland roads.
🥊🥊 Knockout Performance by James 🏅
🥊 KNOCKOUT PERFORMANCE BY JAMES! 🔴⚪️
Huge congratulations to James Taylor, who stepped into the ring and delivered a masterclass today! James started his journey with our fantastic instructor, Mo, back in November, and he’s been 100% committed from day one.
As a massive boxing fan and a loyal Sunderland supporter, James brought that same grit and "never give up" attitude to every single lesson. He didn’t just put in the hours behind the wheel; he was a regular on our YouTube channel, studying our test route videos and skill guides to make sure he was ready for anything.
The hard work paid off in style! James passed his driving test FIRST TIME with just one tiny minor fault! 🏆
The Stats:
Start Date: November
Effort: 100%
Result: First Time Pass
Scorecard: Only 1 Minor Fault
James says he enjoyed every minute of his time with Only Automatic, and we certainly enjoyed working with him. He’s already scouting for his first car and can't wait to get on the road!
Another incredible result for Mo and another happy driver joining the ranks this year. Enjoy the freedom, James! Ha’way the lads! 🚗💨
🚗💨 BIG CELEBRATION TIME FOR NATHAN! 🚗💨
Huge congratulations to Nathan, who smashed his driving test this morning with a FIRST-TIME PASS and just one tiny fault! 🎉🏆
This wasn't just any drive; Nathan had a very special co-pilot today. He wore his dearly departed Grandad’s lucky watch ⌚️❤️ and truly felt that extra boost of power and confidence behind the wheel. We think Grandad would be beaming with pride!
But the real drama happened on the way to the test centre. Nathan’s skills were put to the ultimate test when a toddler suddenly ran out between parked cars. 😱 Thanks to Nathan’s lightning-fast reactions and composure, he saved the situation before the test had even begun! ⚡️🛡️
The examiner was blown away, describing it as an "excellent pass." We couldn't agree more! Nathan, you showed exactly what a focused, skilled driver looks like.
Instructor Peter and the whole team at Only Automatic Driving School are incredibly proud of you. We can’t wait to see you out on the road in your own car very soon! 🛠️🚌➡️🚘
🚗💨 HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO NIEL!
🚗💨 HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO NIEL! 🧠🧟♂️
He might have his own theme tune—Niel the Zombie—but there was nothing "dead" about his driving today! After battling through a couple of weeks of Brain Fog, Niel absolutely smashed his driving test at the Sunderland Test Centre this morning.
Get this: he passed with ZERO FAULTS! 🏆
In true Niel fashion, as soon as he pulled back into the centre, the Brain Fog made a guest appearance. He opened the door and told everyone, “I think I’ve failed,” only for the examiner to step in and describe it as an "Exceptional Drive."
Talk about a plot twist! Niel is now part of an elite club—only about 1% of learner drivers manage to pass their test with zero faults. According to the DVSA, it is an incredibly rare achievement! 🌟
But he’s not stopping there. Niel has already signed up for PassPlus in a couple of weeks to sharpen those skills even further and get safely out on the road.
Instructor Peter couldn't be prouder of Niel’s incredible dedication and focus. Watch out world, Niel is officially licensed and ready to roll! 🚙✨
#DrivingTestSuccess #ZeroFaults #Sunderland #PassPlus #NielTheZombie #ProudInstructor
Planes, Trains & Automobiles 🚂
Let’s face it, public transport can often be troublesome, especially when the metros are running late on the day of your driving test. However, this didn’t cause any problems for Newcastle railway worker (oh, the irony) Adebayo, as he passed his test at the first attempt today, with only a single driving fault.
Despite the rainy weather, and a tricky route involving broken down vehicles in his path and numerous spiral roundabouts, Adebayo stayed calm and focused, producing an excellent drive that was commended by the examiner.
Adebayo put in hours of effort learning the routes, watching the Only Automatic Driving School Tutorial Videos, and asking questions to get himself ready for today’s test, and the effort has certainly been worth it.
Congratulations once again, Adebayo - Ian, your Instructor said you were a delight to teach, and a complete gentleman throughout the whole process.
Take care, stay safe, and I’ll see you on the roads.
Well Done Ian, 2 passes in 2 days! 😁🍾
🚨 HE’S BACK IN THE DRIVING SEAT! 🚨
A massive round of applause for Brian, our latest legend to bag a FIRST-TIME PASS! 🚗💨
As a die-hard Sunderland AFC fan, Brian knows that a good game plan is everything. To get him match-ready, we used our secret weapon: "The Only Automatic Instructor Training and Development" book. Brian found the diagrams a total game-changer, helping him visualise every turn and junction before he even hit the pedals! 📖✨
Coming into his lessons, Brian took comfort in scrolling through our Only Automatic Success Stories, which gave him the ultimate confidence that he was in safe hands with the best in the business. We’ve absolutely loved being part of his journey!
Another "W" for his incredible instructor and another happy driver on the road! 🏆
Ready to kick off your own driving journey? Whether you're in North Tyneside, Sunderland, or Durham, we’re ready for you!
✨ SHE DID IT! FROM "I DON’T KNOW" TO "I CAN DO IT!" ✨
✨ SHE DID IT! FROM "I DON’T KNOW" TO "I CAN DO IT!" ✨
A huge, bubbly shout-out to the energetic Millie, who absolutely crushed her driving test today! 🚗💨
Millie passed with just one single minor fault, proving that hard work and a positive attitude pay off. She even joked that it was the "quickest 40 minutes of her life!" ⏱️
We’ve loved watching Millie’s confidence soar. We started our journey with her favorite catchphrase—whenever asked why something happened, she’d laugh and say, "I really don’t know!" 🤷♀️
But through the lessons, that changed into a determined "I can do it! I can do it!"... and today, she proved she was right! 🏆
What’s next for Millie?
She’s so in love with the drive that she’s already planning to buy her very own Toyota Yaris, just like Peter’s teaching car! 🚗✨
Millie, the world is officially your oyster. We are so proud of you!
Could YOU be next? 🌟
Ready to swap "I don't know" for "I passed"? Whether you're nervous or excited, Only Automatic Driving School is here to get you to the finish line.
👉 Start your journey here: onlyautomatic.com
#DrivingTestSuccess #FirstTimePass #ToyotaYaris #AutomaticDriving #ConfidenceOnTheRoad #OnlyAutomatic #NewDriver #SuccessStory
A massive congratulations to Toi Phan on an incredible result today!
🚗 BIG WIN ALERT! 🚗
A massive congratulations to Toi Phan on an incredible result today! Toi absolutely smashed his driving test, passing FIRST TIME with only 2 minor driving faults! 🏆✨
Toi is a hard-working young lad who spends his time helping out at his older brother’s nail shop, but today he took some time out to secure his freedom on the road.
His instructor, Tony, couldn't be prouder, saying Toi was a total pleasure to teach and a natural behind the wheel. We have no doubt he’ll be a great addition to the roads! 🏎️💨
Ready to get your own license?
If you want to pass with confidence just like Toi, we’re here to help you get on the road in an automatic!
📅 Start your journey today:
👉 onlyautomatic.com/contact
One Born Every Minute
Congratulations and the happiest of new years go to dedicated midwife Fathia, who passed her driving test at the first attempt today with only two driving faults assisted by her brilliant Instructor Ian.
The examiner described it as a “good drive”, despite nearly grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory by parking too close to the only other car in the test centre car park, five seconds from the end of her test (top tip to learners with their test looming - don’t give your instructor a heart attack, and choose a parking bay away from other cars, if possible).
Fathia has family in Peterborough, so once she’s saved up for her new car, she plans to take her nieces out to the movies. She’s also looking forward to driving to work instead of taking the bus, or spending a small fortune on Ubers, so passing her test today means it will save her money, and give her the independence she’s worked so hard to achieve.
If you see her at a maternity ward near you over the weekend, then don’t worry, you’re in safe hands with her, as she’s calmness personified.
Well done once again, Fathia. It’s been a pleasure helping you to succeed, stay safe and I’ll see you on the roads
🎉 What a way to end the year! 🎉
Huge congratulations to Racheal, who PASSED her driving test today in Sunderland! 🚗✅
Racheal is my amazing Ghanaian student who smashed it in just 9 lessons – what a superstar! 🌟
Here’s the best bit: Racheal works in the industry, fighting hard to reduce CO2 emissions around the world… and now she’s just about to add a little to it on her travels 😄 But don’t worry – she’s already promised to trade in her Nissan Juke for an Electric or Hybrid car. 🌍⚡
What an end to 2025… 🎊
Huge congratulations to all of the Only Automatic Driving School team 🍾🥂
What will YOU do in 2026?
Isn’t it about time you joined Only Automatic Driving School and passed your test too?
👉 Start your journey here: onlyautomatic.com/contact
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.
Automatic Success for Sarah with ADI Vici in Durham! ⚽🚗
Huge congratulations to Sarah, who passed her Automatic Driving Test in Durham today with just ONE driving fault – an incredible achievement!
Sarah learned with ADI Vici at Only Automatic Driving School, and from day one she showed real focus, determination and a calm, confident driving style. A truly brilliant result to round off the year!
She’s also a huge Newcastle United fan and is hoping this winning streak carries over to her beloved team – if they drive forward like she did today, they’ll be unstoppable!
If you want to start 2026 by working towards your driving freedom, now’s the perfect time to get booked in.
Betty’s Big Win: A New Licence, A New Car, A New Adventure! 🚗🌟
Today we’re celebrating the lovely Betty, who has just passed her driving test! Originally from Poland, Betty has worked so hard for this moment – and now she’s absolutely buzzing for all the adventures ahead.
One of the things she’s most excited about? Being able to take her son and her mum to the beach when they’re over from Poland. No more relying on lifts or public transport – just freedom, independence, and those special family memories by the sea. 🏖️
As if passing her test wasn’t amazing enough, her husband surprised her with a beautiful new car! Once the insurance is sorted, she’s officially good to go – school runs, seaside trips, weekend drives, and everything in between.
Huge congratulations as well to Instructor Mandy for another fantastic pass. Mandy covers the North Tyneside area and is known for her calm, supportive teaching style that helps learners grow in confidence lesson by lesson.
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.
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait — Congrats, Uchenna! 🎉🚗
Patience truly pays off, and today Uchenna proved just that! After waiting a while for the perfect moment to show off his driving skills, he did it in spectacular style — with just three minor faults. And when the examiner finally told him he’d passed, the screech of delight Uchenna let out was so loud, I’m pretty sure I needed ear defenders! But honestly, that joyful outburst showed just how much this achievement meant to him.
Uchenna lives in Sunderland but works in Durham, which means that in the new year, he’ll have much more time for himself and his family — no more long commutes of three to four hours each day! And with his wedding next year, there’s even more reason to celebrate.
Instructor Ian summed it up perfectly when he said, "Well done, Uchenna — you were easy to teach and an absolute gentleman." We’re so proud of him and can’t wait to see him on the roads, confidently driving into this exciting new chapter of his life.
If you’re ready to start your own driving journey, whether for work, family, or just the love of the road, we’re here to help! Contact us at onlyautomatic.com/contact and let’s get you on the path to success.
Here’s to new beginnings and endless adventures! 🚗✨
Celebrating Amelia’s First-Time Pass! 🎉🚗
We’re thrilled to share the fantastic news about Amelia from Washington, who just achieved her first-time driving test pass! With only two minors, Amelia showed incredible determination and skill during her exam at Sunderland — what a superstar! 🌟
Now she’s completely free to take her two children anywhere they want to go. Once her dad helps her pick out a new car, the adventures will truly begin! 🚙💨
Instructor Kevin had nothing but praise for Amelia, saying, "Absolute pleasure to teach, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic." We’re so proud of her progress, and we know she’ll be a safe, confident driver on the road.
If you’re thinking about starting your driving journey too, don’t wait! Get in touch with us at onlyautomatic.com/contact — we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Congratulations, Amelia! Here’s to many happy miles ahead! 🥳🎉
Howzat for Al! Passed his Automatic Driving Test
Congratulations to Al on passing his driving test in Durham! 🎉 Huge shoutout to his wonderful instructor Andy, whose expert guidance and support made all the difference. Al, originally from Bangladesh, showed incredible determination and worked tirelessly to achieve this success—his second attempt proved just how dedicated he is. With some hard prep and Andy’s expert coaching, Al now joins the ranks of confident drivers!
When he's not on the road, Al is a caring care worker who loves playing cricket—showing his passion both on and off the field. If you're looking to boost your driving skills and enjoy a fun, supportive learning experience, you can book lessons at onlyautomatic.com/contact. Here's to many more milestones, Al—well done! 🚗💫