Celebrating Thomas’s First-Time Pass and New Chapter at House of Zen
We’re excited to share a wonderful success story from our community! Meet Thomas, a dedicated catering assistant at the popular Sunderland eatery, House of Zen. Thomas recently achieved a major milestone—his first-time pass in his driving test!
Thomas’s journey wasn’t just about passing the exam; it’s a stepping stone to new opportunities and adventures. His hard work and determination paid off, and we couldn’t be happier for him. Now he’s ready to hit the road with confidence, balancing his role at House of Zen and life at home.
Speaking of life at home, Thomas and his wife are celebrating their first baby, who’s just six months old! It’s a life filled with new beginnings, challenges, and plenty of joyful moments. As a proud member of our community, we want to congratulate Thomas on his achievements both personally and professionally.
Here’s to many more successes ahead for Thomas and his family. Keep shining and pushing forward—your story inspires us all!
Well done Instructor Tony - another successful candidate takes to the road :)
Lucy’s “Full of the Knowledge”
Lucy, a student who works part time at a major electrical retailer, has successfully passed her Automatic Driving test today with an outstanding performance, marked by just a single minor fault. She faced very challenging driving conditions but managed to maintain her calm and composure throughout. Notably, she corrected an error on a roundabout with ease, where many in her position might have panicked. Her brilliant result is a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Celebrating this significant achievement, Tony, her instructor, kept his promise by treating Lucy to a meal at McDonald's, making the occasion even more special. The entire team at Only Automatic Driving School takes immense pride in her accomplishment.
With the driving test behind her, Lucy’s next step is to find the right car to start her journey as an independent driver. We wish her all the best for the road ahead.
Oluwafeyisayo passes at the first attempt, despite me never being able to pronounce her first name correctly!
Olu, originally from Nigeria, achieved a fantastic success in her driving test today. She passed on her very first attempt with only a single fault, demonstrating her determination and skill. As a hardworking mum, she can now enjoy taking her daughter on special trips, creating new memories together. Olu overcame nerves before the test
Two Wheels Become Four
This dedicated biker passed his driving test on Thursday at the first attempt, with the examiner describing it as ‘A lovely drive’ and noting only two minor faults. An excellent driver from the outset, his extensive knowledge of the road gained from riding a motorbike clearly contributed to his success.
Now looking forward to swapping two wheels for four in the near future, he is well-prepared for the next stage of his driving journey. Congratulations on your achievement – it was a pleasure teaching you. Stay safe on the roads.
Instructor Ian and the team are very proud of your success.
Storm in a Teacup 💨
Honor passed her driving test today at the first time of asking, with only a single driving fault. Storm Floris caused chaos on the roads earlier, but Honor remained calm throughout, even when the top-box nearly flew off on the A19 during her test. A delight to teach, with a warm personality and extremely polite manner, Honor requested her photo be taken outside the Stadium of Light—a cheeky challenge for Ian, who supports the team up the road.
It just goes to show that you can’t always be perfect.
Congratulations, Honor. Stay safe, and I’ll see you on the road.
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!
Demi’s Dedication Does the Deed
Congratulations to Demi on passing her driving test at the first attempt in Durham today! Demi is a dedicated and hardworking mum who truly deserves this achievement. Her determination and effort paid off, and her vibrant personality brought plenty of laughter along the way. She even had a memorable moment where she asked for a test pass photo to be taken next to a gravestone of a man buried beside his ex-wife—something we happened to visit during a driving exercise. Wishing Demi all the best as she embarks on her new journey behind the wheel!
Liem now has a Full License!
Liem Dao, originally from Vietnam, currently resides in Jarrow and is the proud owner of a popular and well-established local nail shop. She is a devoted mother to her one son and has recently finished a thorough and comprehensive series of driving lessons with her experienced instructor, Tony. During her most recent driving test, Liem made two minor driving faults, both of which were insignificant and did not impact her overall performance or ability to pass the test.
Another pass for Tony and Only Automatic Driving School
When will your journey begin?
Chika now has a Full Driving Licence!
Chika, originally from Nigeria, currently works at the University Hospital of North Durham. He successfully passed his driving test on his very first attempt, making only one minor fault throughout the entire exam, which is quite an impressive feat.
His driving instructor, Andy, who is well-known for being a friendly and supportive person, was extremely proud of Chika’s outstanding achievement and dedication.
Now that Chika has successfully obtained his driving licence, his wife has been inspired and decided to start her own driving lessons in the near future.
One ‘Elle’ of a Day for Elle
Instructor Mandy is very proud of Elle’s progress. Elle can’t wait to be able to drive herself to work and fully enjoy the independence that comes with having her very own set of wheels. Having more freedom means she can easily meet up with friends and manage her schedule without needing to rely on others for rides.
Now, as the designated driver for her friends and family, Elle happily pays back all the times she’s been the passenger princess. Learning to drive has opened up exciting new opportunities for her, along with a strong sense of responsibility that she embraces wholeheartedly. Well done! A great Result!
It's a Holly Jollyday for Mandy!
Holly lives at the top of a farm, which means she has to walk a mile up to her house every day and then another mile to school. Her daughter is over the moon now that Holly has a car. This will make trips to school, school holidays, and shopping much easier for her.Instructor Mandy is also over the moon, having achieved a single fault pass at the Gosforth Driving Test Centre. This success is a testament to both Holly's dedication and Mandy's expert instruction.
Another one bites the dust…
Matthew has successfully passed his Automatic Driving Test on his very first attempt, following in the proud footsteps of his brother, Andrew, who also achieved the same significant milestone. Their combined hard work, determination, and dedication to learning have clearly paid off, and both brothers can now proudly hold their well-earned driving licences. As an avid supporter of Sunderland Football, Matthew is now actively on the lookout for a car that will perfectly suit his personal needs and lifestyle. His achievement is not only a moment of joy but also a significant point of pride for both him and his family, exemplifying his commitment, effort, and perseverance. There is no doubt that he is a great guy, fully ready to embrace the newfound freedom that comes with being able to drive independently.
Nalik is having a Purrfect day!
Nalik passed his Automatic Driving Test recently, marking a significant milestone in his journey. Originally from Sri Lanka, he dedicated countless hours to prepare for this important day. His commitment and hard work paid off as he navigated the test with confidence.
Following his success, Nalik wasted no time in celebrating his achievement. He purchased a car, signalling a new chapter in his life. No longer reliant on Uber journeys, he now enjoys the freedom and convenience that comes with driving his own vehicle.
In addition to his driving success, Nalik has a passion for cats, often finding solace in their companionship. This new independence means he can explore more of what he loves, including trips to visit cat cafés and animal rescue centres. With his licence in hand and a car to call his own, Nalik looks forward to the adventures that lie ahead.
Happy Hannah from Hetton!
Andy has another test success!
Hannah from Hetton took her driving test at the Durham Test Centre today and successfully passed on her second attempt, achieving only two minor faults. With a new career in marketing just beginning, her excitement was palpable when she learned the good news. In a moment of pure joy, she let out a high-pitched scream, celebrating her accomplishment and looking forward to the freedom that comes with driving. Congratulations, Hannah!
Nicest Man in the World!
World’s Nicest Man Passes Driving Test. “Nithin passed his driving test today at the first time of asking, despite telling me that he thought he’d failed. Humble, polite and extremely diligent, Nithin was an easy student to teach. Congratulations on your well-earned success. Stay safe and I’ll see you on the road.”
Kelly has found her happy! 😁
Kelly, first time pass at Sunderland with only two minors been an absolute pleasure teaching from start to finish no more public transport or lifts from family members. Instructor Kevin is over the moon
Thomas’s Glam Upgrade: Now Driving in Style as the Ultimate Makeup Maven!
Thomas, a skilled make-up technician at Sephora in Newcastle, has successfully passed his driving test with just a single fault, marking a significant personal achievement. Excited about his new freedom, he already has a car ready to hit the road. In a few weeks, he will be taking part in a PassPlus course to enhance his driving skills further. As a gesture of appreciation, Thomas offered his instructor, Peter, a full makeover—though Peter politely declined!
Jabir passes at the first attempt
Jabir has successfully passed his automatic driving test with Instructor Rubel. As a quality inspector at the Nissan Car Plant, this achievement marks a significant milestone in his life. Gaining the ability to drive independently will undoubtedly enhance his personal and professional opportunities. The entire team is proud of Jabir’s accomplishment, recognising the dedication and hard work he has put into preparing for this moment. This success not only signifies a new level of freedom for him but also the potential for growth in his career and daily activities.

