Bennetts Driving School Reviews 

Dharmesh is an excellent instructor, taught me everything i needed to know, made me feel prepared and built that confidence within myself. He always gave his all and made sure i perfected everything to a good level, I would 100% recommend being taught by him, i genuinely am so grateful.

Had my first lesson today with Stephen Trimnell and I’ve got to say he’s brilliant, really couldn’t fault him he’s a very understanding instructor I’ve not drove or done lessons in 6 years so I was abit rusty behind the wheel but he put me at ease and guided me threw it with no problems, one thing I will say is he’s very firm but fair! 5🌟’s all round!

I am writing this review on behalf of my son, who had an extremely poor experience with Bennett’s Driving School. Based on what we experienced, I would strongly advise others to avoid them.
My son’s instructor, Dan, repeatedly failed to turn up for lessons on the scheduled day. He would often book the wrong dates and then turn up on alternative days instead, despite being aware of my son’s schedule and commitments. When these issues were raised, Dan would purposely avoid communication, because he thought it would be funny (this was his remark when asked) making it impossible to resolve problems.
This pattern continued over several months.
After months of working towards a planned driving test date, my son was informed less than 24 hours before that the test was being cancelled. Excuses were given, no alternative instructor was offered, and there was no effort made by the company to resolve the situation.
On the day of the driving test, the instructor turned up with further excuses, offered no apology, and showed no accountability. When my son failed the test, the instructor attempted to place the blame on him, despite the fact that no mock test had ever been offered or carried out.
When a new test date was arranged, the instructor again pulled out with more excuses. As a result, my son lost money and valuable time.
This experience appears to reflect wider issues within the company rather than a single individual. The school does not operate in a collaborative or supportive way and seems more focused on taking payment than properly supporting learners.
We were also told by this instructor that:
One older male instructor had behaved in a creepy and inappropriate manner towards young female students and required intervention.
A female instructor frequently cancels lessons due to illness.
Following an earlier issue regarding a potentially cancelled test towards the end of 2025, I requested a call from the owner, Karen. Despite this request, she never contacted me.
Overall, this was a completely unacceptable and unprofessional experience. I would strongly recommend avoiding Bennett’s Driving School.

Had a great learning experience with Stephen Trimnell helped me pass first time and was very knowledgeable

I just passed my driving test. Dharmesh is a calm, polite, patient, and gentle teacher.

During class, when I made mistakes, he always corrected me calmly and peacefully, never embarrassing me. He gave me confidence and made me feel capable. I could feel his genuine desire for my success. Dharmesh is a fantastic teacher, and I would recommend him to everyone. Choose him, and you're guaranteed to pass the test!

I passed my driving test today thanks to Dharmesh. He is an excellent instructor, always patient, supportive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He’s also very reliable, and I had a fantastic experience learning with him.

100% recommended to anyone who’s starting lessons.

Sham Patwal is an excellent and very experienced driving instructor. He’s patient and really great at explaining things clearly, especially tricky stuff like parallel parking and roundabouts, which helped me master them. He helped me fix every little mistake without ever making me feel silly and was always very supportive.He was always punctual, prepared, and made me feel comfortable from the very first lesson. I was really nervous to start driving, but he made it easy to relax and actually enjoy it. Thanks to his support, today I passed my driving test in Basildon on the first try. I’d highly recommend him to anyone learning to drive!

Steve was my sons instructor and was excellent. My son passed 1st time thanks to Steve. He was a great instructor and even though it took such a long time to get a test, Steve was patient and booked my son in once a month so as not to waste money

Instructor Dharmesh Soni
Good teaching and friendly. Always points out mistakes and checks progress throughout lesson

Had a great experience having lessons with Sham Patwal. Passed my test in Basildon today. Sham was always patient and listened to what I wanted to work on. His methods were good and helped me on tricky parts such as roundabouts and parallel parking. Sham was always friendly and made me look forward to driving lessons. Overall, I would highly recommend Bennett’s and Sham.

I passed my test first time with the help of peruese hyat in Pinner area. He was very helpful and patient

I just passed my driving test. Had Tony as a instructor, and he helped me a lot to improve every minors. He elaborate every methods with references and this is the way I improved myself. I definitely refer my friends and relatives to him.

Thanks Tony and Bennett driving school.

Do NOT waste your time and money. Booked and paid for an intensive driving course which has been anything but. Unreliable instructors who cancel at short notice, cut lessons short and do not stick with agreed plan. Still awaiting hours over 4 months later for a course which should have lasted a week! Shocking and no response from management when you complain. Have reported to DVSA. Please do NOT waste your money. Look elsewhere. They didn’t even deserve one star!

Aberdeen, September 30 is when I booked 10 lessons (£390).
Unfortunately, the instructor claimed not to receive my messages in order to book lessons, cancelled one and didn’t show up for another scheduled lesson, with no communication. I let the driving school know that he didn't show up or communicated with me and asked for a different instructor.

I was told that the manager will contact me.
I have not been contacted by the manager ever even though I tried calling asking for them 4 times.

I did get another driving instructor but I'm still chasing a refund of the 8 hours remaining as the instructor is still trying to give me back the wrong amount/ignoring me. This is very stressful and unprofessional.

I wanted to have 5 lessons 2 hours each before October 20 and it's now November 2 and I have only had 3. 2 lessons were with the new driving instructor which I'm very thankful about.

I would advise others to be mindful before choosing this driving school and confirm they are paying through school when paying upfront. My driving instructor didn't make it clear that I was directly paying him and not the driving school.

Update on 9 November: The first instructor is still contacting me for the refund I had requested via my bank WAY prior to him actually refunding me (after various attempts of claiming it back and days waiting). He's accusing me of trying to steal his money lol. Obviously this situation is not ideal and I for sure won't be choosing or recommending this school to anyone. Way too complicated for something that should just be a straightforward service.

I want to say thank you to Steve Trimnell.

My daughter passed first with him.

He was so patient, understanding and empathetic with her.

Thank you so much Steve

David Watson in Coventry taught me for just over a year, and I passed after the second attempt. I was a complete newcomer to driving, made mistakes on the way, and he taught me well, and was patient and understanding. He has a great car to learn in too! Thanks Dave!

Tony from Bennett’s Driving School He was very supportive and helpful. He created a relaxed and encouraging environment during our lesson.

Had Steve Trimnell as my driving instructor, who was recommended to me by a neighbour, he’s very experienced and great at explaining things clearly. He offered motorway and night/dark lessons for better practice which some instructors don’t provide. He can be firm sometimes when mistakes happen but he is also very understanding and supportive. His pricing is very reasonable and lesson times were flexible. Steve was easy to contact which made scheduling and fitting in lessons to my timetable a lot easier.

Sham was a great driving Instructor, after intensive training from him, I am pleased and he thought me things in different ways, My Pass was a big relief. Thank you Sham

I have been learning with Red over the year with 30 lessons, I thought I would try Bennett as they seem cheaper. Although out of a 2 hour lesson I only drove 40 mins with the instructor giving a lecture about the theory test for the rest of the time, which I have already passed. I would give a negative score if it was possible but a total waste of time any money was my experience in London. I would have paid for a video if I wanted a lecture, its far cheaper. Red driving school seems to have better instructors in London area.