What we do

Driving Lessons for All

At Community Driving School (CDS), we offer both paid lessons for standard driving students and free lessons for those who are part of our community-driven project. Whether you're looking to invest in your driving education or need support through our community initiative, we are here to help you reach your driving goals.

We’re More Than Just Your Average Driving School…

KCC Approved Safeguarding Policy

Our unique safeguarding policy, approved by Kent County Council, sets us apart. We are the only driving school in the UK equipped to teach incredibly vulnerable individuals, including victims of sexual abuse, those experiencing homelessness, and ex-offenders. This dedication to safety and respect is a standard not required nationwide, making us a trusted choice for your loved ones. While other instructors must undergo DBS checks every three or four years, our enhanced policy ensures greater protection and peace of mind.

We provide top-tier, tailored driver training, specialising in supporting individuals with Anxiety, Autism, Self-Confidence issues, and other mental health challenges.

Respectful and Reliable Instruction: Our instructors are committed to professionalism and respect. We ensure punctuality, politeness, and a respectful learning environment.

Book a paid lesson

The Community-Driven Project

As a not-for-profit organisation, we offer “Sponsored” driving lessons and employability training to those who have experienced trauma or adversity. This program is specifically crafted to enable individuals to "earn" their driving license, offering a beacon of hope amid challenging circumstances.

Earn to Learn

For those who qualify to enter the project, we offer an "Earn to Learn" initiative. Ensuring that every student has the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning their driving lessons. This program not only prepares them for their driving test but also enhances their employability skills.

Eligibility Criteria

We do NOT TAKE direct application requests for the sponsored program. Our funding is extremely limited and as a result, we have to ensure it is spent in the right way and accounted for.

Once we have sufficient funding available, we approach a local organisation or charity and work with them to identify who will benefit most from the sponsored scheme. For example, who is the person with a willingness to engage in the program and will complete it.

It is a rigorous approach and by working with those causes to select the best person, we know the sponsor or funding body is getting the most for the generosity and the funds are being spent wisely.

We are sorry, but we cannot respond to direct requests by people wanting these courses. It isn’t that we don’t want to help, we simply have to use the funds we have wisely to benefit those in our care.

Pupil Process

If you have been through a difficult situation and need to get your driving license, here's how our referral scheme works:

Referral: You must be referred by one of our charitable partners.
Questionnaire: We start with a questionnaire to understand your needs and challenges, including any learning difficulties, prescribed medications, or substance use.
Volunteering: You'll volunteer in your community as part of our "Earn to Learn" program—one hour of volunteering equals one hour of driving lessons.
Training: Every driving course is set at 40 hours, including theory and practical tests. The average number of hours to pass the test is 47, and we help you find a suitable volunteer placement that matches your interests and career goals.

Think you might qualify to join the community-driven project? Contact us to find out more.

Our community's kind words

I was so lucky to find John as a driving instructor, he was so professional but incredible easy to get along with, making lessons so enjoyable, and at times purely hilarious. He gave me so much confidence, helping me overcome any anxiety I had in doing my driving test and helped me pass after being with him for only a short period of time. Thank you so much for all your help John, I will definitely miss our lessons!

Siobhan Gayle Casha - Pupil

An amazing driving instructor: Incredibly patient, great at explaining things and just a really nice guy that’s easy to get on with (which helps a lot!). Couldn’t have passed without him!

Richard Oyewolé - Pupil

Recently just passed my driving test with John, Couldn’t have asked for a better driving instructor. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to start driving. Thanks John and all the best

Peter Assor - Pupil

John was a great driving instructor, and makes an effort to suit your times and needs and is very reliable, thanks very much John, would defiantly recommend.

Jack Watts - Pupil

Best instructor you could have. Pure respect to this man.

Luke Marsh - Pupil

Dear Johan, Thank you so much for all of your help and for being so supportive whilst I’ve been learning to drive!! You’ve been a great teacher and I can’t thank you enough!

Maddie - Pupil

Thanet Local Children’s Partnership Group are excited to be working with the Community Driving school who are delivering this innovative approach to supporting our young people getting back into work and training.

Having had the opportunity to access a similar scheme myself twenty years ago in the West Midlands I can testify that not only did this open up the job market for me but also gave me a sense of achievement and independence which we want to share with our young people.

We would like to thank John for helping our young people access this opportunity.

Sharon McLaughlin - District Manager 0-25 Thanet | Early Help and Preventative Services | Kent County Council

For anyone that suffers with driving anxiety like myself, I would definitely recommend John, he is very laid back and takes your mind off of stressful situations on the road, we had a lot of laughs and that’s what got me through it and gave me the confidence to pass my test first time! I never would of thought that would be possible, but I did it! Thank you John

Sarah Fitt - Pupil

John is an amazing instructor!! He resorted my faith in driving instructors! Couldn’t have asked for anyone better!!

Becca Palmer - Pupil

I want to write this review as John has been such a fantastic instructor. I get anxiety whilst driving and learning with John has taken that away, he is so patient and such a humble lovely soul! He made me feel at ease every step of my learning to drive journey and never did he once get angry at my little mistakes he just helped me overcome them in such a way that made me feel more confident in myself. He also focuses on what you weakest on and will help you build on it by listening and understanding.

He’s is also full of wisdom it makes learning fun and he’s good at making you feel happy even when you don’t feel 100%.

It’s really rare to find such a nice, genuine person not only did he help me with driving he also helped me overcome my driving anxiety. Which is why if you’re looking for a driving instructor I would 100% recommend John. He’s one In a million and generally cares about the people around him.

Jesmine Choudhury - Pupil