Start-2-DriveReviews 

I came to Start2Drive towards the back end of my learner driving journey, having had an unpleasant experience with a previous instructor - my confidence was pretty low and I felt like I would never get test ready. At the off Paul was amazing, we spent some time having an open and honest chat about how I feel when driving, because I do have sensory overload moments and how we can work together to get through this. Paul's ability to teach a diverse mix of pupils, understanding that not one student is the same, is what sets him apart. He understands additional needs and adapts his style of learning accordingly.

He was calm at all times, constructive with feedback and listened when I said I didn't understand something on the road - never made me feel silly for giving my perception on how I came to make a decision that wasn't quite road right.

Thanks to Paul I passed in Gillingham with 1 minor - I have been on Cloud 9 since and I know he was so happy for me too. I can't thank him enough and highly recommended anyone to him.

After 70+ hours of driving lessons and 4 failed attempts, I reached out to Paul to help me. My confidence was shattered, but Paul reassured me, identified and tweaked a few things to make me believe that I can be a good driver.

Moreover, Paul maintains a very high standard, with attention to detail. I would definitely recommend Paul as an instructor. I wish I had found him sooner.

Do not use this company, if you’re looking to pass your driving test. They are scammers especially Paul, stay well clear! Don’t be fooled by the 4-5 star reviews as Paul almost immediately will ask you - the learner (after 1-2 lessons to leave him a review) fully knowing that you will feel obliged to give a good review as you want to pass and not upset him as your instructor. That alone tells you about the kind of company this is, what service company will request that you leave a review prior to even completing the experience that they provide you!

Paul will very cleverly prolong you passing your practical test by delaying test dates, doing mock tests with the learner and making you feel your not ready to do your test, regularly informing you that you are making ‘serious mistakes’ which he will say will make you fail your practical test. Paul will regularly be late (always full off excuses) and sometimes drop you off 10-15 mins early almost taking back 30mins off your lessons making him more money per hour. Paul will also use your lessons to run his personal own errands, like go to the car garage to repair his car, pick up his dog from the vet, then says I’ll make the time up to you but never will. It’s is so unprofessional to even consider doing this to someone who pays you for your time. Paul cancelled my practical test this week, because he decided to take on a learner for an intensive course and wanted to start the same time/day my practical test was, because he prioritised the intensive course as he puts money first. Paul did not show up on my test day and never even informed me he was not coming, I later found out about the other learner after I complained, I lost all associated fees because my driving instructor Paul, who only thinks of himself and what best suits him financially. I’ve been booking two lessons a week with Paul for 9 months and paid him £2,880 since I started and he treats me like this because someone pays him £1,500 upfront for an intensive course, Paul has no loyalty to his learners and is nothing but a fraud scamming vulnerable learners for all the money they have.

Paul has been doing this role for many years, therefore knows how to manipulate learners by way of emotions and sometimes putting fear into the learner so he can continue booking you for lessons even if you feel it’s time. The sole reason for this is so he can continue to keep experienced learners booking lessons and make a much money from you a possible as he does not like teaching ‘new learners’ as it’s too much work for him. He prefers learners from other driving schools so he can just pick up from where the other instructor left off. Paul holds on many practical tests dates in all his learners names but will manipulate the DVSA system and swap the tests dates for ‘priority learners’ that pay him extra money for sooner test dates or use the test date to sway a learner into doing a intensive course (like if they’re desperate to pass or had a bad experience with a previous driving instructor). He moved my April 2023 practical test to June without informing me, then never showed up for my June test but later moved this test date to November 2023, so he could keep me taking lessons for another 5 months even though we both knew I was ready to take the test in April.

This company is unprofessional, run like a circus because it’s an independent driving school they think they can do what they like as they have no management to answer to and will take your money and in some cases wave you bye if you even question anything that seems odd or they don’t like with no refund options. You have been warned use the known brands AA, Red, etc at least their instructors are accountable to someone for their actions and don’t need to hold on to the learners forever ever! I have prove of all the above and text messages from Paul to confirm all of this. Friends and family are shocked by reading his messages and I am now taking legal action against Paul and his misleading, fraudulent company. I just hope that I can prevent this happening to anyone else because I’ve lost almost £3,000 and 9 months of my time too.

Passed today thanks to my driving instructor , rumen, legend !

Calmed me before my test making sure i was prepared for what was to come, really helped out.

Would highly recommend Rumen, very good lessons and u learn very quickly. Made me feel very comfortable and guided me to finally passing my driving test.

I would highly recommend Paul from start-2-drive he’s honest, and a very good instructor I have only had 2 lessons so far and I am pleased with my progress.

Would 100% recommend Paul from Start2Drive. After 3 previous driving instructors I found Paul and he is by far the best. Paul helped to build my confidence and made me feel so at ease. With the amazing help from Paul I was able to pass my driving test 1st time with only 1fault. I couldn’t thank Paul enough he is absolutely incredible

Highly recommend Start 2 Drive and Paul as an instructor! Paul helped me to pass my test first time with zero faults in just 6 weeks after some driving experience many years ago! Being 8 months pregnant I was very worried it would be a stressful experience and I wouldn't be able to pass my test before my baby was here but Paul was very encouraging and made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable making sure every lesson I felt comfortable and confident in my driving abilities. Would not hesitate to recommend Start 2 Drive and Paul to anyone in the future.

Paul was an excellent instructor and helped me pass my test with 0 faults! Super knowledgable and professional, and also great to chat to, highly recommend!!

I had such an amazing first lesson never felt so comfortable before in the drivers seat I look forward to my next sessions , Paul is just an amazing teacher

For my first experience Paul has been a very good instructor and has motivated me a lot. I can’t wait when I will have my license

If you are looking for a good driving instructor, I would highly recommend learning with Rumen and Paul. They are so calm and very reassuring even when you make mistakes. Their techniques of teaching especially the manoeuvres are so good. Thank you for helping me pass my practical driving test within the space of two months after abandoning it for so many years.

Brilliant driving instructor Rumen . Very patient and a wonderful tutor

I had my first driving lesson today with Paul.
He is very calm and has a way of teaching that is unlike the other instructors I have used in the past. He explains things in a way that makes you say in your head ‘oh yeah’.
I look forward to continuing to learn to drive with Paul and already have confidence that he will help me to pass before my target date.
Thanks and highly recommended

Paul is an amazing driving instructor. Always calm and patient and sometimes fun too. Very supportive. Thanks to you I passed my test today and I build my confidence in driving. Would recommend him to everyone who wishes to learn to drive.

Paul has been a great instructor. He's very reliable and patient and I would highly recommend him.

Paul was amazing. Very patient and honest. Taught me everything I needed to pass my test in the minimal amount of time.
He is the best. Thank you

I would recommend Paul to anyone.
Good, informative and personalised lessons with a very patient instructor. I can't thank Paul enough for helping me pass my test.

Paul is a very good instructor makes you feel comfortable and relaxed when driving and is very understanding when you make mistakes and in courage’s you to do better and takes you different places when driving to get you use to going different places and to get you use to dealing with different situations.

Paul is a great instructor, I use to have driving lessons before with other driving schools never enjoyed my driving lessons since, I found Paul he has taught me a lot an I’m quite confident in driving now I enjoy driving he makes driving so easy to learn at first I use to be nervous now I’m not I can’t wait to pass my test he is so helpful an understanding. I would recommend him to anyone he’s a top guy.