Greer’s Gears Driving School Reviews 71

I cant thank Lesley enough for the whole time she taught me and getting me through the test today. I tried 2 teachers before and nearly gave up on doing the test because they made me feel that I would not be capable of driving. Lesley gave me all the confidence back and she was so patient with me. I loved the way she goes through every mistake many times until I make it. She listens very well to all my worries and she truly wants the best for me, she is also very good at making you feel good about taking the test. I would not have had a chance to pass this test without Lesley's help.

My husband said during my process of training with Lesley (as he saw me struggling with other instructors) that she would be given a MEDAL if she gets me through this test. For me Lesley is THE BEST DRIVING INSTRUCTOR IN THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND!

Thank you Lesley and Greer's Gears Driving School so so much for the great experience I had with you, I would highly recommend you all to anyone who would like to become drivers!

I passed my driving test on 22nd April and I couldn’t have done it without my instructor Sam’s support and guidance. He was always patient, professional, and encouraging throughout every lesson. He explained everything clearly, helped build my confidence on the road, and made sure I was fully prepared for the test.

What I appreciated most was how calm and supportive he stayed, even when I made mistakes. His teaching style made learning to drive much less stressful and much more enjoyable.

I would highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a reliable and friendly driving instructor. Thank you again for all your help and support!

Lesley is a fantastic instructor who really goes above and beyond to make sure you feel ready for your test. As someone who was anxious about learning to drive, Lesley’s patient and calm teaching style really helped build my confidence. I passed my test first time with only one minor, and I couldn’t have done it without her! I’d highly recommend her to any learner, as she genuinely cares about her students and their progress.

Massive thank you to Chris (& Stephen!) at Greer's Gears! My daughter passed her test this morning and I honestly couldn't fault our whole experience. Chris has been great with my daughter, making sure she has felt reassured the whole time. He has the patience of a saint for sure! Excellent communication, a very helpful app, flexible, friendly service and gets results! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend, you won't be sorry.

I can’t thank you enough for all your kindness and patience with my son and his lessons. Absolutely five star plus.
If you’re looking for the very best driving instructors, look no further. I really couldn’t recommend them more highly.
Thank you Sam go getting him through.

Excellent driving instructor and my son passed first time around. Would highly recommend. Have now booked him onto their Pass plus course.

Chris is the exact instructor you would hope for. He’s patient, relaxed and explained anything i wasn’t sure about. I thankfully passed this week and it’s down to him.
Thank you Chris! You’ve changed my life x

I spent about 2 months researching driving schools in ayrshire way back in December 2024 as I wanted to make good use of a personal injury claim payout and I had spoke to my husband about restarting my driving lessons again. I had drawn up a list of potential instructors and set about contacting them for information and I have to say I wasn't completely rushed off my feet with replies from driving schools in Kilmarnock and Irvine. From the start the communication was there with Greer's Gears, from the very first call with Trisha on the 20th Jan 2025 right up to the first meeting with Chris. I booked a course of 40 hours fully thinking it would take longer than that to be able to pass my test. I started driving with Chris in the March 2025, I had it in my head that I wanted to learn in a manual car, so Chris brought a manual car up and the first lesson was way too much mental overload trying to master the gears despite driving a manual learning car 17 years ago (I had taken a break as I sat my test 4 times in the past last time was being pregnant with my oldest and I said I would do it after they arrived) it's true what they say time definitely does fly. Chris recommended that I try an automatic car, so the next lesson was a wee toyota yaris. Oh my god what a big difference, the mental overload disappeared and I became a bit more relaxed and I felt that I could do driving again. Fast forward a few weeks later and Chris shows up in this brand new car my first words was I can't drive that it is massive, how wrong was I. The car was perfect I loved the elevated view point from the driver's position. Each lesson was planned perfectly and structured to myself and I felt that I could do this, the learning was relaxed and calm, Chris definitely has a calming persona.
Even when I had wobbly moments and I was convinced that I couldn't do it and I was wasting my time and Chris's time, he still remained calm and so professional and believe me there was a few wobbly moments. I even abandoned my lesson once in morrisons troon car park, I was determined that I was going to get the bus back home, Chris was so good at handling me and calming me down and managed to get me back in the car and drove me home halfway through that lesson. After that sometimes nerves still got to me but Chris would get me to do breathing exercises when I felt stressed and he knew how to bring the nerves down and keep me calm. Even just touching my hand and saying I'm ok and I can do this, this was enough to settle me

I passed my theory test first time in August 2025 with tools supplied by greer's gears, and I had been trying to book my practical test but I could never get a slot to book at the Irvine test centre. Chris stepped in and managed to get a test date for me in February 2026, so that gave us a target to work to, a cancellation space came up in September and I was offered it but I refused it as I didn't feel ready and I was quite happy to wait for February.

February 2026 came round very quickly and the nerves kicked in big time, things that I knew I could do suddenly felt tough and I felt very stressed as the time got closer to test date, Chris advised me to go to h&b health shop and buy some things to help with focus and calming the stress levels. The day before my test, Chris rolls up with the action plan for that day's lesson, a sat nav guided trip up to silverburn and back on a day where the rain was lashing down and dealing with the bellfield interchange. Phew stress levels kicked in big time but for some reason I knew I was in safe hands as Chris was beside me. We got back to ayrshire and continued the lesson in and around Irvine.

Test day came round and pick up in the morning, before we started Chris spoke to me in such a calming manner and said so this was the day we had been working towards and the end goal was in sight asked me how I was feeling and he could see I was a little bit nervous despite me trying to hide it, so off we go for the lesson and final practice before showtime. Around 10am we headed to the test centre and I could feel the nerves rising until I sat in the waiting area of the test centre where the nerves seemed to start settling down, went out on my driving test and it felt like the quickest 35-40 mins of my life. The driving examiner then told me that I had passed (4 faults) and my reaction was "what, oh my god" and tears flowed. Chris was waiting outside the car so I opened the door for the debrief and I said that I failed trying to convince him that I had failed but I don't think he was buying it at all. I came out the car and hugged Chris and the tears flowed as all the nerves released. Chris said he knew I could do it.

Chris even helped me to go and view a car that I saw and he gave me his honest opinion and advice, that is not something that every driving instructor offers to do.

I'm going to miss our chats in the car. Chris is not just a driving instructor, Chris becomes a good friend.

Chris is hands down the best instructor I’ve ever had. He gave me the confidence I needed to get on the road, helping me to pass my test first time! Chris instantly makes you feel at ease and is able to convey instruction in a friendly and assuring manner - not one that makes you freeze up. I felt incredibly prepared for my test and was over the moon to have passed with only one minor. I couldn’t have done it without Greer’s Gears. I highly recommend them to any learner driver. And as one other driver said - I will miss our chats now that lessons are over!

I can speak highly enough of Chris and Greer’s Gears. My son took lessons after turning 17. Chris was very flexible as we had to move some booked lessons due a holiday and then when my sons started uni. He kept me updated with my son’s progression over the weeks. He was well prepared when his test came up and passed first time. Highly recommended, many thanks Chris.

I've had a couple of instructors over the years with other companies, but Sam was definitely the best one by miles! He was super relaxed and friendly and was able to get me test ready within a handful of lessons with him! Especially since I had to learn in a completely different town from where i live because of test availability. So i had 0 experience with this town before.
He was able to get me confident on these new roads and I passed first try! His calm and friendly nature made the whole experience very pleasant as he is super easy to talk to! He's an awesome guy! So thanks again Sam! Couldn't recommend him more!!

Fantastic driving school my son Alan had lessons with Chris he made Alan feel so comfortable and made every lesson a pleasure for him he passed first time cannot thank Chris enough

The idea of learning to drive felt like a wall I’d personally never be able to get over. After starting and stopping a few lessons with other instructors previously, the idea of ever being a driver felt intimidating, overwhelming, and just not for me. But Chris changed that. He helped me take it one step at a time, remained encouraging and patient, and he is always full of great advice—not even just about driving, but about shifting into a more positive mindset overall. If the driving thing fails, he definitely has a career as a life coach ahead of him! :)

Chris made lessons feel relaxed - he is so easy to chat to, and genuinely made each lesson a pleasure. Seeing him each week took the scariness out of it.

Like any successful business with a tight appointment book, his schedule sometimes shifted to accommodate other students’ tests and appointments, but in return, Chris was incredibly flexible and accommodating with me. Nothing ever seemed too much trouble for him and his attitude kept me calm(er) whilst I was facing my fears of driving.

If you’re nervous, unsure, or convinced you’ll never pass, then please let me assure you that Chris is the instructor who will prove you wrong. I’m so grateful I reached out to him and can't thank him enough for the time he spent with me.

My son was constantly messed around by Greers gears driving instructors constantly cancelling lessons sometimes even 10-20 mins before the lesson was due. We have paid for 40 lessons which is around £2800. Two different driving instructors who work for Greers told my son he was ready to pass his test so he was to book it. Both times he was let down by the instructors weeks before his test changing cars etc. on the second test the instructor told us that he was on holiday only a few weeks before the test date. Then Chris showed up himself the day before my son’s test and said that he felt my son wasn’t ready to pass. He showed up in another new car which my son had said he was taking time to adapt to. I asked if he could provide maybe an extra lesson before the test so he could get used to the vehicle. Chris then said that people should be able to drive any car without any issues.Anyone who drives knows it can take a little time to adapt to clutch etc on a new car especially different sized engines and models. Chris then said he wanted to take the test and give it to one of his other clients. Even after this we tried to stick with this company but was constantly let down and fobbed off. The instructor he was using has since left Greers and we have waited for Greers to find a solution but instead they haven’t contacted us at all. So yeh unfortunately it’s been a dreadful experience and a lot of money spent and no progress. Anytime we try to contact Chris we would be put to an answer machine unless any payment was due before a lesson then he would make sure he would be in contact. Personally I don’t like leaving any time of negative comments about a business but my son really did deserve better and was let down massively.

Absolute fantastic driving school. My son Connor had lessons with Chris which he thoroughly enjoyed and passed his test first time. When Connor started working and his lessons had to be changed these guys made it happen very easily. Would highly recommend Greer’s Gears and a very special mention to Chris for his professionalism and commitment.

I had the pleasure of learning to drive with Chris and passed my test first time with only one minor. From the very first lesson, Chris was very patient and understanding of my needs and weaknesses as well as the approach I took to different situations and allowed me the independence as I like but was always there to step in and give me support when needed. Chris’ car was always to a very high standard and clean on the inside and out. I will miss our chats every week now that I have passed and moving on with the confidence to jump in my own car for a solo drive straight away.

Greer’s Gears Driving School comes highly recommended from me!

Excellent service! Contacted them regarding my new cars previous service history and they gave me all information which they had on the car, including that the timing belt had been changed by them which is a big relief. Thanks guys!

I have waited 15 years to drive always saying to myself I would do it every year and never did. But this year I finally started my journey with Greer's gears. Chris from Greer's gears really helped me gain confidence and was always patient,kind, professional & funny to break any nervous nerves I had while learning to drive. Over time I gained amazing confidence and greatly enjoyed every lesson I had which then led me to securing my pass on my test first go. So thank you Greer's gears for believing in me and making me strive to drive! I would highly recommend you guys for anyone learning to drive.

After my 16 month old car broke down for the 3rd time with an electrical charging fault, Greers Gears Dual Control hire were a life safer. I hired one of their automatic dual control cars for the 3 weeks it took the garage to be able to remedy the fault of the alternator not charging fully. Great service from the guys and very helpful, with me in arranging collection from Ayr, driving there from Fife, with short notice from the new car supplier/garage and late notification from them that my car was fixed. The guys bent over backwards and even drove me to the Ayr Train Station to return home after drop off. Thanks guys