Naomi: From Morning Routines to Open Roads — A Milestone Worth Celebrating
There are victories that change days, and there are victories that change lives. Today we’re celebrating Naomi — mother of three, tireless full-time carer for her son, and now, officially, a licensed driver.
If you know Naomi, you know she runs on determination. Between school runs, therapy appointments, and 24/7 care for her son, free time is a rare luxury. Every errand requires careful planning, every trip is a mini-operation. So when she told us she’d booked lessons, we all felt it: this was about so much more than passing a test. It was about freedom, practicality, and opening up a thousand small possibilities.
And she did it. She passed.
The relief and joy are easy to imagine — fewer logistical hurdles, faster access to appointments, the ability to be there for her kids and her son with less stress. A car doesn’t solve everything, but for Naomi it will make life measurably easier, safer, and more flexible.
A huge shout-out to Tony, her instructor, who’s been “proud as punch” every step of the way. Patient, encouraging, and steady — Tony helped turn Naomi’s hard work into this well-earned achievement. Their teamwork is a reminder that success is often a shared journey.
Naomi, we’re so proud of you. You’ve balanced responsibility with resilience and come out the other side with a license and a whole new range of possibilities. Here’s to the open road, smoother days, and the many small freedoms that make family life a little easier. Drive safe — and enjoy every mile.
Bayley: Fast Feet Off the Pitch and Behind the Wheel — Zero Faults, All Heart
Today we celebrate Bayley — freshly 17, a lightning-quick U18 winger for Sunderland, and now a brand-new driver with a flawless test: zero faults. If his performance on the road matches his football, watch out Premier League.
A career already marked by promise, Bayley first caught attention with early signings at Bristol City and Southampton before joining Sunderland’s ranks in July 2024. On the pitch he’s a nightmare for full-backs: pace, sharp feet, and a hunger to take the game to the next level. Off it, he’s just a great lad — humble, quick with a laugh, and always up for a bit of banter.
Speaking of banter, instructor Peter has been taking the mickey out of Bayley since lesson one — playful photos, cheeky videos, and even a custom chant to keep the mood light. It’s that mix of fun and focus that clearly paid off today: a perfect test result and a beaming smile to match.
Everyone at Only Automatic Driving School is bursting with pride. This isn’t just about a licence — it’s another milestone in the journey of a talented young footballer destined for bigger stages. We’ll be cheering every step of the way, from youth fixtures to hopefully Premiership nights.
Congratulations, Bayley — zero faults today, countless possibilities tomorrow. Keep flying down that wing.
Charlie's Big Win: From Arguments to Automatics!
Well, folks, gather 'round! We've got a tale today that's as big as the heart of Durham and twice as amusing. Our very own Charlie, infamous for his love of a good debate, has passed his driving test this morning with flying colours (and perhaps a few colourful words, too!) thanks to the fantastic folks at Only Automatic Driving School.
A Perfect Pass! Huge Congrats to Tran Phan Bui Nguyen
The examiner was genuinely impressed and had high praise for Tran's exceptional driving skills, which is the highest compliment you can get. This perfect result is a massive payoff for all the hard work and dedication Tran put in, especially considering how nervous he was feeling.
Tran, who is originally from Vietnam, is a little on the shy side and politely declined a pass photo (we respect that 100%!). But trust us, his smile was as bright as his driving performance today!
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.
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 :)
The Prognosis Is Good
Congratulations to Uwadia — he passed his driving test today with zero faults! The examiner even called it “a lovely, lovely drive.” What a fantastic achievement.
Uwadia, a dedicated doctor based in Sunderland, has shown incredible commitment and focus throughout his training. His hard work, calm attitude and attention to detail paid off beautifully. Beyond being a diligent learner, he’s also a well-travelled, thoroughly interesting chap whose stories and good humour made every lesson enjoyable.
Wishing you safe and confident miles ahead, Uwadia. It’s been a pleasure to teach you — see you out on the roads!
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.
Another First Time Part 3 Pass for Stu
Stu Cavanagh, our highly experienced Instructor Driver Trainer, offers expert training not only for trainees at Only Automatic Driving School but also for individuals from other driving schools seeking top-quality instruction. If you are aspiring to become a qualified driving instructor or feel that your current training relies too heavily on the ‘Buddy’ system, our dedicated one-to-one training approach could be the ideal solution to help you succeed in passing your Driving Instructor Qualifications. Contact us today to learn more about our personalised training programmes tailored specifically to your needs.
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.
Great job, Fazle!
You’re officially a fully licensed pharmacist and driver now! With only five minor faults recorded—that’s truly impressive and speaks volumes about your careful attention and skill. Another successful pass added to the excellent track record of our highly skilled driving instructor, Rubel.
The entire team here at Only Automatic Driving School is incredibly proud of this outstanding achievement.
Onwards and upwards to even greater successes in the future. We look forward to seeing you confidently out on the road, enjoying your new driving privileges.
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.
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!
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.”
A Lovely review for Rubel
Passing my driving test was a huge milestone, and I couldn't have done it without Mr. Rubel. From day one, he made sure I felt comfortable behind the wheel, explaining things clearly and patiently. His encouragement helped me stay calm, even when I struggled with parallel parking,roundabouts etc. Thanks to their guidance, I not only passed my test but also feel confident driving on my own. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, supportive instructor who genuinely cares about your success, I highly recommend him.
Another nice review for Tony
Are you ready to begin your journey, learning to drive with Only Automatic Driving School?
Tom uses his noodle!
Tom, the owner of PHO 179 restaurant in Sunderland, is expanding his culinary footprint with a new location set to open in Newcastle. Managing multiple restaurant locations can be challenging, but with the convenience of driving, Tom finds it easier to navigate between both establishments. This streamlined travel allows him to oversee operations, ensure quality, and maintain the standards that have made PHO 179 a local favorite. As he embarks on this new venture, the ease of commuting will be instrumental in the success of his expanding business.
Malaika passed for Ian today 😁
“BINGO - You did it! Malaika started her driving experience doing laps of the bingo car park in Pallion, but she put in an assured performance this morning and passed at the first attempt with only a few driving faults. A friendly student with a positive attitude, Malaika has been a pleasure to teach. Stay safe and I’ll see you on the road.”
A brilliant result for Ian and Stu
It's great when your students pass their driving test but better when one of your team passes their Part 3 exam to become a fully qualified ADI.
Ian was our first PDI, qualifying in double quick time. Instructor trainer Stu has yet another pass to add to his record. This achievement highlights the effective training and dedicated support provided to our instructors. We are proud to see our trainees excel and look forward to more success stories in the future.