Testimonials

"Hi, i'm Sophie and I learnt to drive with Phil until I passed my test in 2011. Before driving, I felt slightly apprehensive and nervous. However, it soon became clear that every lesson with Phil was to be both enjoyable and beneficial. Due to the interactive, fun and well planned lessons, my confidence soon grew and I felt much more comfortable on the roads. Phil's friendly approach led to my enthusiasm for driving and his professional, supportive manner meant that I could progress and learn in a way that suited me. I now love driving and can't think where I would be without it" Sophie Jones (23)

"I had my very first lesson at the start of February 2014. I had no previous driving experience and was very nervous. Driving did not come naturally to me and Phil was very patient with me. Within a couple of months he gradually built up my confidence on the road. I passed my test on the 1st December 2014, less than a year after I started. Phil is an excellent teacher and I would recommend him to anyone". Sara Cryer

"All praise to Phil, who made the art of driving easy and fun. Having had previous lessons and tests with another instructor, I was struggling to grasp key points and even enjoy the driving experience. Phil changed that and explained driving in a way that I understood. Thank you Phil". Chloe Shimmin

"'Phil was really flexible and was able to work around school and work commitments which was great! He gave great tips which I still use to improve my driving. Thanks Phil for getting me through first time!' 'Phil was really flexible and was able to work around school and work commitments which was great! He gave great tips which I still use to improve my driving. Thanks Phil for getting me through first time! :). Emily Rigg (16)

"I put off learning to drive for a long time because I didn't think I'd be able to do it. Phil was great to learn with. He was always calm and patient, which is great if you're intimidated by the thought of learning to drive. He is also very good at focusing on the weak areas in your driving. In addition he was flexible in rearranging slots which is very helpful. Thanks Phil!". Steven Tallach

"Excellent teacher I recommend him all the time he is very friendly and helps talk through each section of the test and road safety". Vicky Cartwright

"Couldn't recommend Phil enough! Such a friendly tutor & talks through each lesson thoroughly with good learning methods & has very good patience. Couldn't be happier now I've passed my test & couldn't thank Phil enough for all he has taught me". Stevie Lea-Evans

"Phil Is a great instructor I finally passed my driving test in November (2014 ) , He has a lot of patience which is good and he needed it for me when I first started learning to drive , He's friendly and he's got a good sense of humour, his lessons are planned well and if your not sure of something he will always reassure you before you do a manoeuvre , I was apprehensive when I first started to learn to drive but that soon went as I grew more confident on the road and in my ability to drive , to look back now knowing I can drive it's a great feeling the freedom is brilliant, so if your looking for a driving instructor I would highly recommend Phil! ". Emily Coldwell

"I came to Phil to do the 20 hours intensive course he offers having had some previous experience with other instructors between terms at university. He was happy to adapt the lessons to times that suited me and to and from places of my convenience e.g. home/ work which was really useful. I have found his lessons to be very helpful in increasing my ability and confidence as a driver, his methods are logical and easy to understand and he makes learning to drive into a fun self-investment rather than an anxiety filled chore. I passed my test first time round thanks to Phil's teaching! I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn to drive with a friendly, patient and extremely knowledgable tutor. If you are investigating, wondering which instructor to learn with, may I encourage you to choose Phil." Corrine Payne

"I passed my test with Phil on 13 July. Phil is definitely an instructor I would recommend if you are considering learning to drive as he is professional, patient and, most importantly, great at explaining what areas you need to improve upon in order for you to pass your test. As others have mentioned, each lesson has a structure and if you're struggling in one area of driving, Phil will ensure you revisit this until you master it. For me it was awkward because i learnt whilst at university, meaning i missed weeks and months of driving at a time. But Phil was great in that he knew my situation and adapted in order for for me to get sufficient lessons whenever possible. With this in mind, it just shows how excellent an instructor he is since, despite my lack of driving due to university commitments, I passed just over a year after my first ever lesson. Brilliant instructor. And he is well up for friendly chats to keep you comfortable behind the wheel. Thanks Phil!" Sean Cassidy

"Phil smith is a brilliant driving instructor, giving me the confidence I needed to pass my test on the second attempt. He was always friendly and gave clear accurate instructions/advice, making every lesson a great learning experience. As well as being a knowledgeable teacher/driver Phil would work around my busy schedule, ensuring I got all the time, help and attention I needed to pass. Thank you so much I couldn’t have done it without you' :D Hannah Glover (17)

'Throughout the time that I was taking driving lessons with Phil, i found that he took a patient and thorough approach each time. Excellent knowledge and experience helped me hugely in the preparation for my test. Although I didn't pass first time, there was no notion of negativity going forward and I found that this was key in keeping me looking forward and improving instead of focusing on what I had done wrong. Always took the time to listen to my concerns and was willing to schedule lessons and progress in a way which was ideal for my circumstances and lifestyle. All in all, I found that taking lessons with Phil wasn't the chore I was expecting, with rapid improvement in my driving ability and confidence together. Top guy and great teacher, I would definitely recommend him to my friends who are beginning to take lessons on the road and are looking for someone to give then the tools they need to get their license.' James Furnival

'Phil is a great driving instructor with masses of patience and attention to detail. Every lesson I would been given specific targets to work on and improve, which then helped me to go on to pass my driving test first time! His lessons were always friendly and enjoyable and if you're looking for a great driving instructor who is always prompt and organized then Phil is most definitely your man!' Beth Maudsley (18)

'Phil has been a great driving instructor over this past year, he has remained calm and professional all the way through, which is good for me as I was unsure and panicky to begin with. He knew when I was ready to try new manoeuvres and this made me a confident driver, and then lead to me passing my test first time. I would definitely recommend Phil as a driving instructor. Thanks Phil :)' Lauren Cannell (17)

'I want to say a really big thank you to Phil for teaching me how to drive. I was very nervous when I first started but with Phil's help and patience I quickly felt a lot more confident and passed my test 2nd time around! Thanks Phil for all your help!' Gemma Burnell

'Well what can I say about Phil........ He got me through my test in just under 2 Months Fantastic Instuctor . His lessons are very structured and individually well thought out making you feel like his only student. The feed back given at the end of every lesson and again before each lesson helps you so much throughout the whole driving experience. He is very patient and understanding,(I had no confidence at all) he turned me from someone who didn't really want to drive as now I have a little boy was more of a need, into someone who really enjoys it and looked forward to every lesson. Thank you so much Phil Smith I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone Kind Regards' Vicki Lennox

'My name is Lizzy and I am 26 years old.I started to learn to drive with Phil in September 2013. I passed my test on my second attempt after 4 months of lessons. After having two previous instructors and never getting to a test standard,I found Phil to be a very patient and helpful driving instructor who explains stuff in a clear and understandable way. I would recommend Phil to anyone wanting to learn to drive, from scratch or with previous experience, his lessons are fun, informative and good value for money. He is flexible with his lesson times, which comes in handy with anyone with a busy lifestyle. Thanks to Phil I am now able to transport my three children around without any hassle! Thanks Phil!!!' Lizzy Crawford (26)

"Phil has been such a great driving instructor and his lessons were always fun and very beneficial. His advice and tips for manoeuvres and general driving made something that seemed hard much easier than it initially appeared to be, they were easy to pick up and I use them everyday when I drive by myself. He was very calm and understanding, and I would recommend him to anyone wanting to learn :)" Laura Piggott

'Hello I'm James, I'd like to thank Phil for teaching me how to drive. The first time I ever got behind the wheel was with him, he is a great instructor, very professional. I apologise for my lazy left hand. I got there in the end though! Cheers phill :)' James Woodward (18)

'I genuinely enjoyed learning to drive with Phil and would recommend his lessons to anyone else looking to learn. I found his methods very applicable, successful and well explained. He has a very positive approach and was really friendly which makes all the difference! Ellen Quane (17)

"I had my first driving lesson on my birthday and Phil was very patient with me. He has solid techniques which will make learning to drive easy and fun. I'm glad I picked him as he got me through my test very quickly." Jeremy Crookshank (17)

'Learning to drive with Phil was a very enjoyable experience! I know lots of people who dread their driving lessons but knowing I was being taught by a patient and understanding instructor I looked forward to my lessons every week. The references Phil gives for manoeuvres made them seem so much easier to what they look like! In total I had 23 driving lessons with Phil which is about 5/6 months worth of lessons- this shows there is no messing about and when Phil knows you're ready for your test he'll tell you straight away!! I would thoroughly recommend Phil as a driving instructor- he's brilliant! :)' Beth Christian (16)

'Although I lacked confidence at the beginning of driving, Phil had made me feel at ease and gave me the encouragement I needed. This was enhanced through structured lessons and effective teaching, which helped me pass my test successfully. Altogether I have enjoyed my lessons with Phil and would thoroughly recommend him to anyone! Thank you Phil Smith' Abby Christopher

'I started my lessons with Phil as soon as I turned 16, he was very thorough and professional. I passed while I was still 16. The lessons were structured and organised, with good feedback at the end of every session. I would recommend Phil to any learner, even as young as I am. So thankyou Phil :)' Daisy McGarrigle (16)

'Hi, i'm Holly and i recently passed my test first time. I really enjoyed my lessons with Phil and found him to be friendly, calm and professional. I would definitely recommend Phil to anyone wanting to learn to drive. He helped me to build up confidence and feel comfortable on the roads. Thanks so much Phil!' Holly McGarrigle (17)

'I was really impressed with Phil Smith as a driving instructor. From day one his lessons were well structured and organised, with a useful recap at the start of each lesson followed by constructive feedback and encouragement at the end. I found this useful as it meant that my time behind the wheel was more focused and I could really get a feel for how I was progressing. Although it took me four attempts until I passed, Phil was really understanding and encouraging throughout and he helped by suggesting new strategies and approaches for the areas I struggled with, which built my confidence and ensured that soon enough I was driving by myself. Thanks Phil!' Jennie Mitchell (22)

'From the start Phil was always professional and friendly. He put me at ease and was very thorough and consistent in his teaching techniques. He was encouraging yet realistic and honest. Would recommend to anyone'. Bernie Harding

'Hi thanks for your help in passing my test. I would definitely recommend you to anyone wanting to learn. Very calm and patient and a great teacher. Many thanks' John Gatt

'Phil Smith is an excellent driving instructor and a cracking guy. His practical experience and skills ensure for an excellent teacher which I would highly recommend for anyone. He has provided me with great constructive criticism for the past 12 months and is a fantastic driving instructor. 10/10 for me Phil!' Cameron Avery (17)

"I would like to thank Phil Smith for teaching me how to drive. He is an amazing instructor. He helped build my confidence, and helped me achieve my goal. I would defiantly recommend Phil Smith to anyone who is wanting to learn how to drive. He is a friendly instructor, that's makes you feel so comfortable, and at ease behind the wheel. Thank you Phil so much for all your help, and helping me pass! Seriously thank you so much " Sarah Ozkaya

"Having had no luck with two previous instructors, Phil was recommended to me and switching was the best decision I made. He was professional but still friendly and incredibly patient, boosting my confidence from thinking I'd never get on the road to passing second time round. I would definitely recommend him to anyone. Thanks Phil!" Chloe Sullivan

"'Hi I'm Paige and I'm 17 years of age I have been driving with Phil since I was 16 with a short break in between when I stopped lessons to complete my theory. I would recommend Phil to everyone without hesitation, he helped me become an independent driver and helped me be confident enough to pass my test first time. All my lessons were beneficial and I couldn't of done it without him, thank you Phil!" Paige Mepham (17)

"'At 44 years of age I never thought I would be taking my test. However after contacting Phil and starting lessons in October 2012, I passed my test first time on April 15th 2013. A great achievement having been diagnosed with epilepsy 12 years ago, and never thinking that I would drive. With Phil's understanding, patience and professionalism I would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone. My daughter is now having lessons with Phil. It has been a pleasure and many thanks to Phil." Jonathan Kelly (44)

"I had lessons with Phil for 7 months and I thoroughly enjoyed my time learning with Phil. The lessons are very professional and fun. I found Phil's patience very helpful when learning and with the lessons being very organised I found my time with Phil both enjoyable and beneficial. I would highly recommend Phil to anyone who is looking to learn to drive and if you are thinking about learning with Phil, you will not be disappointed." Kyle McKenna

"I only had been learning with Phil for a short time after transferring from another instructor before my test. After having a bad experience with my previous instructor and three failed test behind me, it felt like I would never pass my driving test. I found Phil's lessons really enjoyable and beneficial. His methods of teaching are so easy and accurate to understand. His car is also really easy to learn to drive in and I am so happy to say that I passed my driving test this morning. I would definitely recommend Phil to anyone who is considering learning to drive. Thank you for all your help Phil." Beth Vickers

"For the past 12 months i have been having lessons with Phil, the lessons were both fun and structured and most of all enjoyable. Phil helped me a lot with my confidence and always made sure i got the most out of my lessons. i would always recommend him to any i know looking to start lessons." James Knight

"My Name is Rob and I started to learn to drive with Phil in October 2012 and passed my test in January 2013. I took lessons and two tests as a teenager but I had not sat in the driving seat of a car for over 18 years, so the prospect of learning after all that time was daunting!! Phil uses his knowledge and experience to find your level and also learning style very quickly. By the end of the first lesson he had a clear idea of what I needed, how I liked to be taught and importantly also reinforced what I was good at. He explained each skill brilliantly in a way that is very easy to learn and with each success really builds your confidence while always giving you some areas to practice and improve. His approach makes learning fun and really concentrates on the right skills to help you improve and importantly pass! I had the assumption for many years that “driving just isn’t for me”, with Phil’s help I now know that’s just not true. I am really enjoying driving and I wish I had found Phil years ago! Thanks Phil" Rob Dickinson

"My name is Jodie and I passed four months after turning 16 in January 2012 (first time). I am really pleased that I chose Phil as my instructor. His lessons were thorough and well planned and I felt comfortable being taught by him. I always enjoyed my lessons and found Phil to be understanding and calm no matter what! I would have no hesitation recommending Phil to anyone wishing to learn to drive as I found him to be professional, friendly and flexible. Cheers" Jodie Green (16)

"I've been absolutely chuffed with having Phil as my driving instructor and although it was a joy to pass on my first attempt it was also an abrupt end to some good times. We had quickly progressed from basic controls to cruising the streets and I had evolved from a nervy greenhorn to a confident driver - Further progressing through overconfident, anxious, cautious, and finally becoming competent. Phil carefully plans his lessons and runs through sitations clearly so you are prepared to deal with them when the time comes. He is friendly, fun and gives you the confidence to be a good driver. I would recommend him to anyone." Chris Bell

"My name is Rachael Butterworth, I am 17 years old and I recently passed my driving test on the 16th of July 2012. I would definitely recommend Phil to anyone wanting to learn to drive. He was very supportive and patient, offering encouragement to achieve the desired result and providing helpful tips. From the very first time I sat in the car on my first lesson I felt comfortable and throughout my lessons he built up my confidence on the roads. He has very well planned out lessons, and makes notes on what you need to improve on. I couldn't have done it without you, thank you Phil!" Rachael Butterworth

"I have just passed my test on the second attempt! After changing my instructor to Phil,he is very professional in what he does! He explains everything in detail, but in a fun way wich makes it easier to learn! Just after a few lessons with Phil the penny dropped and i was ready for my test. Now after passing i would like to give a massive thank you to Phil... Cheers buddy top man!" Ryan Valentine

"My name is Thomas and I passed my test on the 4th September 2012 (first time!). I had previously had lessons with another instructor before I tried 'Phil Smith Driving Tuition' but feel Phil's positive and patient approach was far superior. The lessons were well planned and helped me understand in a short time what was required from me to pass my test and become a confident, safe driver. I would highly recommend Phil to anyone". Thomas Barradell

"Hi I just want to say thank you to Phil for all his help in teaching me to drive. I was an extremely nervous driver and gave up learning to drive when I was 17. I decided to start learning again as felt at 29 it was something I needed to do.Phil was extremely professional but also provided a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to learn in. He was very supportive and provided easy to remember techniques to assist with my driving! - thank you for all your help Phil couldn't have done it without you!" Vicky Cartwright (29)

"My name's Pippa and I'm 17 years old. I passed my test on the 17th July 2012. I would recommend Phil to anyone who wants to learn to drive. Having had a bad experience with my previous instructor, switching to Phil was the best decision I could have made. Not only does he make driving lessons fun and enjoyable, but he teaches in a manner that makes you feel calm and confident. His methods make even the trickier manouveres seem simple. He is eager to tailor your lessons to suit you by straightening out any worries or doubts you may have through his endless amount of patience and persistance. I always looked forward to my lessons, and I am grateful for all his help and effort! " Pippa Hempsall (17)

"Learning with Phil has been a pleasure. His friendly and well planned lessons helped boost my confidence on the roads and improve more with each lesson. I was a fairly nervous driver at first, however Phil makes you feel at ease and was always willing to answer questions. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for driving tuition - thanks Phil! " Kelsa Manser-Smith

"Hi i'm Kerry and i recently passed my driving test whilst having lessons with Phil. I had lessons a year before with a different instructor but never really felt comfortable or confident enough with him to continue learning to drive. I felt completley different when i started lessons with Phil. I actually started to enjoy driving!!!! I started to believe i could actually get to doing my test one day. He gave me the confidence and the ability to drive and i always felt like he explained thing clearly. Thanks Phil :-) :-)" Kerry

"I would like to thank Phil for his professional and fun approach to driving instruction. Throughout all my lessons with Phil I both enjoyed myself and learnt how to improve my driving. His lessons were always well planned, fun and constructive. I was always made to feel comfortable and confident whilst in the car with Phil and after every lesson had improved my driving. Because of all this I have now passed my test and thanks to Phil, changed my life. I now have the ability to drive myself to school and I no longer have to rely on buses and lifts for transport. Thanks a lot Phil for such great tuition, I would recommend you to anyone who wants to start driving." Dan Martin (16)

"Hi, my name is Matty Collister and I am 30 years old. I have just passed my test in May 2012 after only 9 lessons with Phil. I had previously failed my test when I was a teenager and Phil gave me the encouragement and confidence to try again and iron out any bad habits. His friendly manner and individually planned lessons helped me no end in achieving my goal. I am now able to drive myself, whereas previously had to rely on others to drive me back and forth. Phil is someone I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to pass their test. Cheers." Matty

"Hi my name is Saida and I totally recommend Phil Smith as a first class instructor. Before driving with Phil I been struggling and failed my test a few times and didn't think I was ever going to pass my test. I was about to give up, but I thought I would have one last try with a different instructor and what a difference Phil made to my driving. I only had two months worth of lessons from Phil and am very happy to say I have now passed in march 2012. His attention to detail is excellent and made me feel very confident about my driving, so I highly recommend Phil to anyone wanting to pass their test." Saida

"I would like to thank Phil Smith for his Fun, Friendly and Professional approach to Driving Instruction. His methods and techniques were extremely well explained and easy to follow and resulted in me passing my Test. 1st time as well!! I now have the freedom to come and go as I please, Driving has made a real difference to my life. And this is all down to Phil who I would throughly recommend if your interested in learning to Drive. " Andrew 'Skippy' Lancaster (22)

"Hi my name is David Western and have to say the thought of learning to drive at the age of 49 was scary to say the least. I booked my lessons with Phil who made it friendly easy going and have to say he had a lot of patience with me, he made the whole experience an enjoyable one thanks Phil. And your never to young to learn !!" David Western (49)

"Hi, I'm Illy. Phil always explains things in the easiest and simplest way possible, and always knew how to push me and encourage me to be a better driver. Lessons are always enjoyable and with his teaching it didn't feel like it took me long at all to pass my test, so cheers Phil". Illy

"Hi, I'm Herman. I learned to drive with Phil Smith and I passed in 2011. His driving lessons are fun but are also very helpful. Phil shows you the best and the easiest way to do everything so when it comes to the Test you know exactly what you are doing. I wasn’t nervous when driving with Phil, because he makes you feel comfortable and he really cares. I enjoyed each lesson and I’m very grateful for having him as an Instructor because now I have my licence. I use my car all the time and my life has totally change now, so thanks a lot Phil." Herman van Rooyen (20)

"I had lessons with Phil for 6 weeks and passed. I found Phil to be a great tutor, he was patient, organised and made you feel confident about your abilities. I would strongly recomend him to anybody who is wanting good, friendly driving lessons. Thanks Phil." Jason Smith (28)

"Hi, my name is Kayleigh Callow and I passed my test with Phil Smith on the 13th October. I would definitely recommend Phil to new drivers as he helps to make you feel very comfortable when driving. Before I started lessons I was very nervous, but Phil made me feel at ease, and was always eager to answer any questions I had about driving on the roads. If I had any problems with particular parts of my driving we would always go back and perfect, making me feel much happier at the end of each lesson. Phil offers a friendly approach to driving which personally helped me to relax, and soon after led to me gaining higher levels of confidence. Thanks Phil". Kayleigh Callow (17)

"I had lessons with Phil for a year up until I passed my driving test in October 2011. I was made to feel very at ease under tuition from Phil and the lessons were well planned. I found that I gained confidence quickly and was able to progress at a steady rate. I would highly recommend Phil to anyone looking to start their driving lessons."
Steve Leach (35)

" Congratulations to Adrian Smith who successfully Passed his Driving Test with Phil Smith Driving Tuition on 05/09/2011. Good luck Adrian, look forward to seeing you out and about on the roads!! "

About

Hi, I’m Phil Smith and I’ve been a fully qualified Driving Standards Agency and Isle of Man government Driving Instructor for 13 years.

Areas Covered

I primarily give driving lessons in Douglas, although I do offer an island-wide service.

Contact me

I would love to hear from you and help you pass your driving test.