Elevate Driver Training Reviews 84

I had a very concerning experience with one of this company’s driving instructors, driving a blue Toyota with registration G7 JVM.

The instructor almost hit a 5-year-old child while turning into a road where the child was already crossing. Regardless of any Highway Code argument, this was a young child, and the driver showed no care, concern or basic responsibility towards a child crossing the road.

Instead of apologising or checking if the child was okay, the instructor behaved rudely and arrogantly, and had the nerve to lecture us that a 5-year-old should know the Highway Code. That is completely unacceptable.

The Highway Code gives priority to pedestrians in this type of situation, especially when a vehicle is turning into a road and someone is already crossing. So if this so-called teacher does not even understand that basic rule, it raises serious questions about what they are teaching their learners.

If this is the standard of instructor being used by this company, it raises serious concerns about how they vet their teachers. I would strongly advise others not to learn with this instructor or this company.

I will be taking this matter further.

Brilliant company and instructor, Julian. Really easy to get on with, pointed out driving errors clearly but never once in a way that ever seemed negative and I always looked forward to my lessons which has never been the case with previous instructors. Just really relaxed, comfortable and safe instructor. I passed first time with a single minor after taking the intensive course (I would highly recommend this for any new learners, I struggled only doing one or two a hours a week).

I honestly cannot recommend Julian highly enough. I did an intensive driving course, and from start to finish he was absolutely incredible.
What really sets Julian apart is not just his knowledge and skill as an instructor (which are top-tier), but his understanding, patience, and genuine care for his students. I have struggled with my mental health, particularly anxiety while driving, and Julian supported me every single step of the way. He never rushed me, never made me feel silly or incapable, and always took the time to explain things calmly and clearly — even when my confidence dipped.
He created such a safe, supportive environment in the car that I actually started to enjoy driving — something I never thought I’d say. He adapted lessons to suit me, checked in on how I was feeling, and helped me build confidence at a pace that worked with my mental health, not against it.
The intensive course was challenging, but Julian’s encouragement, reassurance, and belief in me made all the difference. He is professional, reliable, friendly, and incredibly patient — exactly what you need, especially if you’re nervous or struggling emotionally.
If you’re looking for an instructor who truly cares about your progress, your confidence, and you as a person, Julian is the one. I’m so grateful for his support and couldn’t have asked for a better instructor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've been putting off driving for 10 years or more. Due to anxiety and just a general lack of confidence. I had heard about Elevate growing up, in ST Anns. I called and spoke to Julian. Who has single-handedly changed my life, without judgement. Only positivity and progress. My anxiety was gone from the first time I got in to the driver's seat. I have now passed, confidently and safely. I appreciate everything Elevate has done for me. If you're on the fence about driving.. if you're anxious, neuro-divergent.. Elevate is the place to go. Thank you Julian, thank you Elevate 💯
SKRT SKRT 🚘🚗 💨💨

I honestly can’t thank Jason enough for how much he’s helped me grow in confidence behind the wheel. From the very first lesson, he made me feel completely at ease, something I didn’t think was possible given how anxious I was about driving.
Jason’s teaching style is so down to earth, calm, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. He always stays cheerful and professional, creating a relaxed environment where learning feels natural and enjoyable.
He’s a real credit to the driving school and a perfect example of what every learner need especially for someone like me who once saw driving as a major weak point. Thanks to Jason, that’s no longer the case. I now feel confident, capable, and actually enjoy driving and all because of his guidance and support.
Thank you, Jason, for everything!

My experience of learning to drive was a lot more fun than I thought it would be, I started out really nervous about driving and worried I’d never be able to do it but my amazing instructor Julian quickly solved these issues and helped me realise I can and that it can be a fun experience not a daunting one, as soon as you get in the car you feel relaxed and like you can have fun all while seeing very clear improvement in your driving. Overall the experience was amazing and I can’t recommend elevate and Julian enough.

My experience with my instructor, Jeanette, has been deeply discouraging. Although she made a positive first impression during our initial lessons, that sense of promise quickly dissolved. Instead of guiding me with patience and clarity, she often scolded me as though I should already possess knowledge I came to her specifically to learn.
I enrolled in driving lessons to grow in confidence and skill—not to be made to feel inadequate. Each session left me emotionally drained, carrying a heaviness that made me dread the next lesson. Jen frequently raised her voice and offered criticism without explanation, leaving me confused rather than supported.
An effective instructor empowers a student; they create an environment where learning feels possible. Instead, I was told Im like wasting my money, that I should already know this and that__yet the real issue was the lack of constructive teaching. Patience and guidance are the foundation of good instruction, and unfortunately, these were missing from my experience with her.

Indeed I’ve wasted a lot of money with you. For the future students, do not settle for an instructor who doesn’t have the patience to teach you effectively

Julian is a brilliant instructor, got me test ready really quickly and I really enjoyed the lessons , great experience.

I’m incredibly grateful to my driving instructor Julian for guiding me to a successful pass at Colwick Test Centre after doing an intensive course. From day one, he was fully committed to ensuring I became a confident and safe driver. He was supportive, flexible, extremely reliable and equally very professional.  His patience, clear explanations, and calm approach helped me overcome challenges and driving anxiety. I couldn’t have asked for a better instructor—highly recommended to anyone learning to drive. Thanks, Julian!!!

I had only 5 lessons with Jen and passed my exam on my first attempt. It was really short notice when I contacted her due to work commitments, and she was really nice to find times that would suit us both. She was very patient and adapted to my needs as I had already been driving in the UK and had an international license, so it was mostly figuring out what things I needed to adapt/correct from my driving to pass the exam and drive around the test routes. She was brilliant and made me feel really comfortable. Highly recommend her!

I honestly can’t recommend Elevate Driving School enough, the school is simply amazing. Passed my driving test on the first attempt with just one minor. Being completely new to driving, I was quite scared about learning to drive but thanks to my instructor, I grew very confident and started to love driving. My instructor was very professional, friendly, patient and always made learning fun, which made me less nervous.
I enjoyed my lessons and had an amazing result.
Thank you elevate driving school 🙏🏾❤️

I would not recommend Brenda as a driving instructor. During many of my lessons, she was often on her phone instead of giving me her full attention. This left me feeling unsupported and unprepared, especially in situations where proper instruction was important. For example, she did not explain how to handle going down a hill at 30mph and then needing to take a tight left turn, which requires switching down into first gear.

Some manoeuvres were also not practised enough. We hardly went over forward bay parking, so when I was asked to do it, I couldn’t remember the process. Similarly, I was rarely asked to practise pulling up on the right, which meant that when I needed to do it I got it wrong and instinctively pulled up on the left first. Rather than preparing me thoroughly, Brenda gave me a funny look and told me I wasn’t ready for my test the day before it was due, which knocked my confidence.

I also found it unprofessional that she asked me if I had “something wrong with me” and whether I had ADHD. Comments like this were unnecessary and undermined my confidence even further.

My girlfriend also had a very similar experience with Brenda. She was often on her phone during lessons and didn’t cover bay parking properly until the actual day of her test, which left her feeling underprepared.

Overall, I felt underprepared, judged, and discouraged. A driving instructor should build confidence and provide clear guidance, but unfortunately, that was not my experience with Brenda.

Great instructed to clear my test, I didn’t had any chance to pass but he polished me like greatest.. I had confidence to achieve my goal.
My family is feeling grateful at my results. I am feeling safe to drive for my life time.

I passed my test first time with Julian and without him I would never of passed, I came to Julian after having over 8 months with a previous instructor I didn’t realise quite how bad at driving I really was, within 3 weeks Julian has managed to get my driving sorted and get me a test booked and I passed with just one minor, not only did he sort my driving out in no time he was also an amazing instructor and so easy to get on with and have banter and a laugh with, couldn’t recommend a better instructor and definitely the best in Nottingham. Thankyou for all your help Julian without you this would never of happened

I would highly recommend Elevate. I had failed previously with a few driving instructors. I almost gave up, then I found Elevate and my outlook changed.
Jen managed to help me control my nerves and made me feel comfortable driving. She instilled the confidence I needed to enable me to pass my test.
At the age of 48, I finally have the freedom and independence I always wanted. Thank you so much Jen and Elevate.

I wish I could give my instructor Julian 6 stars…
I passed my test with Julian on the Automatic Semi-intensive Driving Course, after almost losing faith in myself from having other driving instructors who made me believe I would not be able to achieve it.
Julian took me on a journey of believing in myself- the way he invests in you as a person is unbelievable, he recognises each persons individual struggles, quirks & anxieties and works his magic for you to overcome the strongest challenges.
I couldn’t have passed my test without his help, support and dedication to me and my needs.

Des was a great instructor, really made sure I didn’t make any silly mistakes for my test. Would recommend him.

I highly recommend Elevate Driving School. My instructor, Julian, provided excellent guidance and support throughout my lessons, which enabled me to pass my driving test on the first attempt. His professional approach, clear instructions, and effective teaching methods gave me the skills and confidence needed to succeed in my practical exam.

My experience with Elevate Driving School is a very positive one. I was privileged to cross path with one of their most dedicated driving instructors Julian. His patience, his calm demeanor, his firm but clear advice, his constant engagment in interactive funny but sound and wise communication with me throughout my learner driving journey whcih has made it possble for me to be on this reviewing plathform to share my own personal experience. Julian, makes driving fun, he is passionate and intentional about the progress of his pupils. I am one those pupils who benefitted from Julian knowledge and skills. I would like to say a resounding shout out and thank you to Julian for his positive infulence in my life. Thank you for your contribution to society at large. You have earned my atmost respect and I will always recommend ELEVATE DRIVING SCHOOL. ALWAYS!

I can't thank my instructor Julian during my time learing to drive with him he was patient and helped me overcome my anxiousness when driving I would highly recommend Elevate Driving School and you would be lucky to have an instructor like Julian helping you on your journey to get passed as soon as possible this was an enjoyable and anxious 2 months of driving with him so glad I passed first time and it's all thanks to my instructor Julian.