AdaptAbility North

Noel worked very patiently for over 2 years to get me test ready. My anxiety was crippling along with other disabilities and I can 100% say I would never have passed without him!

Noel went that extra many miles to accommodate my complicated needs. Great car, steady advice that inspires confidence. All in all a gold plated service.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Noel for the time taken to assess my 87 year old Dad for his suitability to use a push/pull hand control mechanism. We had a really valuable lesson concentrating on car control using the push/pull mechanism, Noel really patient and gave great confidence to my Dad. Based on Noels extensive knowledge of vehicle adaptations Dad is now looking at the next steps to keep him mobile. Thank you Noel for the care and time taken to help my Dad, I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for assistance with driving adaptations to keep them mobile.

Living just over the Border in the south east of Scotland I was referred to the Scottish Driving Assessment Service (SDAS) in Edinburgh to assess my suitability to drive an automatic vehicle with a left foot accelerator. As far as I could ascertain there were no Disability Driving Instructors with suitably adapted vehicles actually based within a large radius of my home. SDAS helpfully gave me details of instructors who may be able to help including Noel Bracken who was happy to cover the Borders region of Scotland (as well as his base in the North East of England). The instruction was carried out in Alnwick which lies between our two bases. Thanks to Noel’s expert tuition and patience and understanding I was able to successfully complete my driving assessment in Edinburgh.

Noel was very understanding and very patient, I would highly recommend his service.

I had NoeI he is an amazing instructor, l have suffered with high anxiety and many other illnesses and my instructors was calm help me cope with my anxiety never thought that I would ever pass my test but with a lot of work I passed there just fantastic at there job really understanding and nice people.

Having driven for 45 years I found myself in driving difficulties caused diabetic neuropathy in the feet and ankles. I decided to have my car adapted for hand controls for brake and accelerator. I decided to take some driving lessons in an adapted car, to see if I could manage them. Noel Bracken was recommended to me by the adaptation company. This turned out to be an excellent choice. Noel immediately put me at my ease, and allayed all my fears, giving me confidence that I could make the conversion. Several lessons ensued with Noel over a period of weeks. He was thoroughly professional at all times, with a friendly, easy, attitude, and a likeable personality. Under his direction, with many helpful hints an tips, I became proficient in a fairly short time, in this new manner of driving. Having now had my car adapted, I am driving again on a regular basis, thanks to Noel's excellent tuition. He made the lessons really enjoyable. I can't praise him highly enough, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone contemplating a similar adaptation, or in fact, anyone setting out to learn to drive for the first time.Moreexpand_more

I am a case manager working with clients with catastrophic injuries. Recently one of my clients received training from Noel Bracken in readiness for his assessment to drive. My client reports Noel very pleasant and showed patience with him. My client passed his assessment and is back driving. I will use Adaptability North again I highly recommend their professionalism and understanding of people with needs. Good Job Noel, Thank you.

Noel is incredible, he’s patient and kind. He understood me when most don’t, when I first sat next to him I felt instantly at ease and relaxed, I cannot recommend Noel enough! I never thought my dream would become a reality. People with learning disabilities and autism can do anything they put their mind to, thank you Noel for everything.

I can't thank Noel enough for everything he did for my daughter in the past 6 months. She has ASD, learning disability and Social Anxiety. His whole approach, calmness, gentle, kind and thoughtfulness was incredible. My daughter had her first driving test yesterday and passed with only one minor fault. I worked alongside Noel to give my daughter some extra support in her journey to learn to drive and I throughouly enjoyed every minute. I would highly recommend him to anyone. Thanks Noel!

Noel provided an excellent level of support and attention, making time for me when I asked for it and adapting the schedule of lessons to my needs. He is extremely knowledgeable with regard to the required driving standard as well a range of disabilities. He provides clear and detailed instruction which is tailored to the individual. In particular, he was able to empathies and accommodate the issues caused by my poor mental health throughout the learning process. I would recommend Noel to anyone as the ultimate 'safe pair of hands' to facilitate you to drive to a high standard and ensure that you obtain your license.

I suffered a traumatic illness when I contracted Guiiiane Barree Syndrome which causes loss of mobility to lower limbs. Noel was able to give me driving practice in his car on Hand Controls until such time as I was able to have my own car adapted. His expertise, confident approach and all round helpful attitude, has enabled me to regain my own confidence and be able to take to the road once more. None of this would have been possible without Noel's assistance and I can not speak highly enough of him and the service he has provided me.

I can't recommend Noel highly enough. After a traumatic amputation Noel has given me my confidence back to get behind the wheel and to start living my life again. His manner is so calming and understanding and he really took his time to find about about me and why driving would improve my quality of life. I felt ready for my driving assessment and was equipped with a new outlook. His skills as an instructor are outstanding, he listens to what you think and truly understands his pupils. An all round nice guy. Top Job Noel you have given me my life back.

Noel is a fantastic instructor. I am deaf and was worried that I would be struggling to find anyone who would be able to adapt or to be patient with the communication issue. Noel have no issue whatsoever with the communication as he found the way to communicate with me that means we could understand each other without any issue. He have so much patience whenever I made any mistakes and ensure that I understood the mistakes I made and any adjustment I may need to avoid making the mistakes again. He gave me so much resources that I could study from with plenty of time ahead and in context of the lessons as well. I passed on my first try with only one minor and that's all thanks to Noel who strive for the perfection in all area which match up perfectly with my standard. I would really recommend Noel to anyone that want to learn driving. The best instructor I could ever ask for. Will really miss his car I drove in.

What can I say… Noel is brilliant, I suffer from left side Hemiplegia and was worrying about my ability to drive, as there are very few instructors who have specially adapted cars. I started with Noel this year at around April. Through the last few months Noel has been a great mentor and really has horned my skills in driving, Noel was very reassuring and was patient when I made mistakes. Noel is fantastic at making you realise your areas of improvement and giving tools to be able to reflect and improve. I started work in September and was amazed at how flexible Noel was, as he catered our lessons around my working hours, it just shows how much he cares About his students progression. On the lead up to my test I was pretty nervous but Noel was great to help calm my nerves. I passed first time! That’s all done to Noel ability for getting the best out of me. I will definitely miss our lessons. The best instructor around.Moreexpand_more

Passed my driving test first time with no minors with Noel in July. Built my confidence up enough to be able to sit it in my own car without Noel there. Noel was able to fit in around my job with early morning lessons.

My son passed his test with only 3 faults first time and it's all thanks to Noel. A fantastic instructor with so much patience and understanding. Thoroughly recommend.

What a excellent Instuctor Noel is. He catered very well to my needs. And got me on the roads in a very short time! Would really recommend if you want to learn to drive.

Cant thank Noel enough he got me through my test and I passed first time. Couldn’t have done it without his knowledge experience and calm manner which put me at my ease from the get go. I have autism and struggle to communicate with strangers. He made me feel so comfortable with his calm manner. It’s a bit of a shame I passed as I don’t get to go out weekly with Noel anymore. Can’t recommend enough he truly went above and beyond.

Noel is a phenomenal driving instructor and I’m very pleased that he was the one who taught me. I would recommend Noel to anyone.