Brake Thru Driving School

I rang up to ask about lessons and got treated like an absolute mug. I asked about lessons, as I have autism and I am anxious, and I have stopped driving for a while. He kept sighing at me when I could remember how many hours I’d done over 5 years ago! If I couldn’t even get over a phone call without feeling awful good job I didn’t start any lessons.

Arriving to the test centre after 42 hours of driving lessons, I was confident in my ability to drive a car and understand the rules of road given the excellent training I had received. I passed first time with 5 minor faults. The price of lessons is very reasonable, especially so given the quality of the lessons themselves. I was always able to book a lesson despite both the instructors and my own busy schedule. The instructor Gary is very knowledgeable about operating a car, rules of the road and a typical learner thought processes. He provides clear instructions and is exceptional at noticing mistakes when they occur, identifying why they occurred and assisting you to squelch them before they become a bad habit. His guidance was indispensable for me during my lessons and kept me realistic and confident in my abilities. I will advocate for any local friend or relative to use Brake-thru Driving School in future. .

I had Garry about 15 months ago when I moved from Brighton to Portsmouth. My previous instructor had told me I was ready for a test and Garry had denied this. I was happy to have more lessons however he continued to up the lessons continuously and charge more. When it came to my test he took his badge out of the car so that my test was not associated with him, he told me this which massively knocked my confidence. Prior to this Garry had asked my profession (RE teacher) and once he knew this he continuously recited to me religious scripture and completely undermined my beliefs and knowledge (3 degrees in the subject) as I do not consider myself a ‘born again Christian’. Because of this he told me I was unfit to teach and would go to hell. He then handed me multiple leaflets from the door storage of local churches I should attend and scripture and information on how to convert to his faith. I consider myself to be very open and understanding but in this situation, it was incredibly rude and unprofessional - especially telling me I was going to hell. He also shouted at me continuously to knock my confidence and used his phone all throughout the lessons.Moreexpand_more

Appalling! If you are thinking about starting your driving here STAY AWAY! It was my first ever driving lesson on automatic and the driving instructor was on his phone for half the time. I messaged him nicely asking not to be on his phone on our next lesson and he then cancelled our lesson and claimed another student booked a test, he then texted me saying if I am so desperate I find another instructor. Very horrible Guy, he shouted throughout most of the lesson at me, saying I’ve got a coordination problem and getting a angry when I wasn’t doing things to his level, IT WAS MY FIRST TIME DRIVING AUTOMATIC! I had only had one previous manual lesson before! Please stay away from this nasty company! And do not trust the reviews on google, I am almost certain they have bought fake reviews!

Would certainly recommend. Garry was able to fit me in with very short notice to my test. Very to the point and will tell you exactly what you’ve got to improve which is important to be able to pass first time. Very organised and reliable! .

WARNING- IF YOU HAVE FAILED MORE THAN TWICE DO NOT GO WITH BREAK THRU, THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO PASS AND INSTEAD WILL RINSE YOU OF AS MANY LESSONS AS POSSIBLE AS THEY ARE MONEY GRABBING! Have had a hard time with my driving, am an OK driver but unfortunately nerves get the better of me and make silly mistakes. Things like 3 point turns and mirrors are something I am very confident with as have been driving for 6 years and never received a minor for these things. Instructor did not understand my situation, just wanted my money as opposed to helping me. Had lessons for 2 months and did not mention booking a test until I asked. Then when I booked it he just wanted to get as many lesson out of me as possible. Would rarely take me to test centre area. Would constantly talk about bikes and motorcyclists as he rode them, did not pick up on my actual weaknesses but instead just used to find faults in everything as opposed to recognising my weaknesses. Told me he would charge me £50 for test then went through his folder and tipexed out the £50 and replaced with £60 without telling me! I by chance saw it and questioned him. Money grabbing.Moreexpand_more

Lucky enough to get Garry as my instructor, within only a few lessons my confidence in driving improved and I continued to improve as the weeks progressed. I often looked forward to lessons because Garry was such a cool guy and made me feel comfortable behind the wheel. He was easy to talk to and also gave constructive feedback in accordance to my driving ability. I would recommend this driving school to anyone.

Was grateful to Garry at brake thru for encourageing me to continue doing lessons in a manual car even though I was very tempted to go automatic after failing two tests with a previous school. He was effecient and helpful and told me to book a test when he knew I was at test standard. I passed first time with this school with only 1 minor in a manual.

I had 3 lessons only with this driving school and I have to stop as the driving instuctor is shouting at me and I become panic and then he told me that driving is not for me. He should more patient and understanding as I am a beginner and have no experience in driving and besides it is only my third lessons. He is nasty and should not teach driving at all.

I learnt to drive with Garry, I had had a few driving instructors in the past but found I never had that feeling that I had learnt something after each lesson. Garry personalises each lesson to push you in areas in your driving that need the most improvement. As a result I got to the test confident that I would pass, because I knew Garry had covered all areas and made sure I was ready. As a result I passed first time and not only saved money on repeated tests, but feel confident in my driving ability. Mark Shaw.

I was given lessons by Garry Banks and passed my driving test first time yesterday. Garry is very skilled in teaching people to drive, aswell as having a personal touch, and has a great sense of humour. If you want to pass first time, and enjoy learning to drive, and save money then go to him! An honour to have been tought by you. Ryan Drake.