Manual driving instructor

and taxi assessor in Stevenage.

My pass rate for learners is 52% above the local test centre average! Book your lessons and start learning to drive today.

Learn to drive with me

I offer manual driving lessons only

exclamation icon

Learn to drive in Stevenage 

Hello! Driver Training courses are taught by me, John Billingham. I am a driving instructor in Stevenage with over 20 years’ experience.


I'm a qualified DVSA Grade A Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) since 2002, fleet qualified, and I’m also qualified to train and assess taxi drivers wanting to take their Local Authority Taxi Assessment. 

I have lived in Stevenage most of my life and really enjoy coaching local people to become safe drivers.


As a learner driver you may be nervous about getting behind the wheel of a car. I can help you overcome your nerves and become a competent, safe driver.

What I offer 

Driving lessons

I offer manual only driving lessons in Stevenage with a pass rate that is 52% above the local test centre average! You can use this lesson plan to decide what you want to learn next and discuss your progress with your family. 

Read more →

Taxi assessments

I also offer taxi assessments, and my pass rate is over 90% for the taxi test. Let me help you get your Hackney Carriage or private hire taxi licence.

Read more →

What you can expect from Hello! Driver Training:

lesson board icon

Lesson plans and personalised feedback on your progress

Hello! Driver Training lessons are personalised to suit your learning style using Client Centred Learning (CCL), helping you to become a safe, confident, and knowledgeable driver.

steering wheel icon

A high pass rate from a fully qualified, highly experienced driver

The pass rate for Hello! Driver Training candidates is 52% above the local test centre average.

notes icon

Flexible driving lessons to work around your schedule

Lessons can be arranged on a day and time to suit you.

steering wheel and book icon

Independent journey planning

Mainly to Luton, Beford, or Cambridge.

driving lessons website

FREE access to the Theory Test Pro website

Get theory test ready before you take your practical exam.

motorway icon

Motorway training

Driving instructors are now legally entitled to take learners on a motorway provided they have dual control in the vehicle. Parents and friends cannot do this, only qualified ADI’s.

Testimonials 

  • Slide title

    I’m Carl Pendlebury, I’m a Radio Presenter on Hertbeat FM (now Bob FM) and I passed my driving test first time with John from Hello! Driver Training. When I first started at Hertbeat FM, I had no driving licence, which was a massive disadvantage for the job. 


    Hertbeat FM put me in contact with John, on the condition that all the lessons would be recorded to be played out on air, just to add to the pressure. My stand-out memories include the Luton experience, which involves driving undirected to Luton and back. To anyone learning to drive, I thoroughly recommend this as it really gets you to apply everything you’ve learnt so far. 


    Also, I’m fairly sure I will hold the record for getting lost on the way back for many years to come. Further optional experiences that John offers include driving into London, which I would strongly encourage anyone who is learning to take up. Driving in London is completely different to anything you will ever have to do as a driver, so it is a sensible and worthwhile decision to undertake this journey for the first time under the supervision of John. 


    The key reason for me passing first time is down to John’s excellent method of teaching. All the manoeuvres and observational points are cleverly broken down and easy to remember and John’s calm and reassuring manner mean that your confidence is built up and maintained increasing your likelihood of passing first time. 


    Carl

    Button

  • Slide title

    I was previously with a different instructor before John. I didn’t feel comfortable in the way that I was being taught and found it hard to communicate with my instructor. John was completely the opposite. He was easy to talk to, tolerant and understanding towards me. The Luton experience was one of the lessons that I would never forget, along with driving down country lanes in complete darkness! The free NLP also helped to boost my confidence from failing my test from my previous instructor. Not only that, I have applied the experience learnt from NLP to everyday life and feel like a more confident and successful person in general. I have no hesitation in recommending John as a quality driving instructor. Thank you John for getting me through my test. 


    Kind Regards, 

    Kim 

    Button

  • Slide title

    I was recommended to John by my friend Mel who has also passed using his expertise and I am so thankful to her for recommending him. John is an absolute star!! He has taught me everything that I know and I really couldn’t be more grateful. Due to his continuous perseverance with me, I managed to pass first time and I put that all down to John’s excellent teaching strategies. 


    He always makes sure you’re comfortable and happy and doesn’t make you do anything you don’t want to. There are key moments that I will never forget that I experienced with John which includes, the Luton experience that taught me so much giving me more confidence and experience on a variety of roads and placing me in everyday situations.

     

    Another memory I will keep forever that always placing a smile on my face is the song I created for John, “I Love My Driving Instructor”. There was never a dull moment with John and I couldn’t be more satisfied and appreciative for all the hard work and effort John supplied me. I would recommend John to anyone who is wishing to learn to drive the whole experience is unforgettable!! 


    Thank you ever so much John. 

    Chloe 

    Button

  • Slide title

    Like many brave people before me, I gave John Billingham (as recommended by many) a call for some serious driving lessons. To begin with “Must check your mirrors… mirrors, mirrors, mirrors” would be John’s favourite phrase. However, gradually, lesson by lesson, I found myself excelling behind the wheel and occasionally checking my mirrors. John recommended that I booked my test ASAP, which gave us a goal to work towards during lessons. 


    Each lesson was a new and exciting experience on the road, none as unforgettable as the legendary “Luton Experience”. What happened during the events of the “Luton Experience” is still unknown, but somehow both car and an unnerved John made it back in one piece. John’s dedication and flexibility were key during the build up to my test; each lesson was challenging and a good laugh, which was bound to contain a bit of banter here and there. I would recommend any learners to take lessons with John.

     

    His teaching methods are second to none with his diverse out-of-the-box thinking makes him different to your average driving school. I would not have PASSED FIRST TIME without the guidance, confidence, and encouragement John has provided during our 10 (!) hours of lessons. So if you’re serious about driving, get on the dog and bone (phone) and give him a call! 


    Laurie Brown 

    Button

  • Slide title

    John is an excellent instructor, I got recommended to him by my brother and since I have recommended him to 3 of my friends who have all passed, If your serious about driving give him a call. 


    Richard 

    Button

  • Slide title

    The Hello! Driving school program is about so much more than learning to drive. The teaching environment is fun, safe and encompasses a host of lessons about how to be a better driver. I was pleasantly surprised how complete the program really is, I have told all my friends and they’re all having a fantastic time, passing with fun and confidence! 


    Matt Dower

    Button

Got any questions?

If you’d like to book driving lessons or taxi assessment, want to know more about my driving training, or have any other enquiries, please get in touch with me.