The Power of the Right Support
As a driving instructor, I’ve had the privilege of working with many incredible learners, each with their own unique journey. But every now and then, someone comes along who leaves a lasting impression — not just for how far they’ve come, but for how much they teach me. Lydia is one of those people.
Lydia had previously started learning to drive with two different instructors a few years earlier, but things never quite clicked. For various reasons, she found those experiences difficult — and deep down, she knew those instructors simply weren’t the right fit for her. A lack of confidence, the financial pressures of lessons, and the demands of starting university all combined to put learning on hold. Driving just didn’t feel like something she could succeed at — so she stopped trying. It wasn’t until after university that Lydia decided to give it another go, and that’s when our paths crossed.
Lydia has ADHD and, like many neurodivergent individuals, found traditional driving lessons didn’t meet her needs. But when we started working together, something clicked — and it’s been amazing to watch her grow into a confident, capable driver.
Lydia kindly agreed to share her experience in the hope that it might help others in similar situations. If you live with ADHD, anxiety, or self-doubt and you’ve been putting off learning to drive, Lydia’s words might just give you the encouragement you need.
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“ADHD makes things harder, but it doesn’t make you any less of a driver.”
When I asked Lydia how ADHD impacted her driving lessons, her response was honest and powerful.
“I’ve found ADHD is less an inability to focus, but more an inability to focus on one thing while still being aware of everything else. It meant I’d overreact to every little thing — a car pulling out 100 metres ahead, or even a dog three streets away peeking out of a window! I’d get exhausted after 40 minutes, and my confidence would plummet as I made more mistakes.”
Simple mistakes felt huge. Her thoughts would spiral, and self-doubt crept in fast. She described zoning out completely — forgetting, in the moment, that she was even behind the wheel. It’s something many neurodivergent drivers will recognise: the invisible weight of mental effort.
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Practical Tips That Worked for Lydia
Lydia discovered that what helped most wasn’t a fancy system or rigid method — it was open, honest communication. She said:
“The answer to all the issues above was much simpler than I would’ve thought. It’s about having open communication with your driving instructor.”
Here are some of the practical strategies she found helpful:
• Pulling over after a stressful moment for a quick breather (and sometimes a sip of coffee!).
• Starting each lesson fresh, wiping the slate clean of earlier mistakes.
• Building confidence with something simple at the beginning of each session.
• Breaking down big topics, like roundabouts, into small, manageable parts.
• Taking ‘easy’ sessions on tough days — a powerful alternative to cancelling.
These small adjustments made a huge difference. And they only worked because Lydia felt comfortable being herself — something she credits to the learning environment we created together.
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Creating a Safe Space to Learn
Lydia summed up our working relationship with kind words I’ll never forget:
“Kevin wasn’t just teaching me to drive — he was helping me become a confident and safe driver, with the tools to carry on without him. If a technique didn’t work, he’d just change it until we found one that did.”
That flexibility, empathy, and willingness to adapt is what I believe every learner deserves — but especially those with additional challenges. Lydia reminded me how important it is to meet people where they are and build from there.
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“You’ll get there when you’re ready.”
I asked Lydia what advice she’d give to others who might be thinking about learning to drive but feel unsure or afraid. Here’s what she said:
“Take the plunge — learning to drive will give you so much freedom and confidence. But don’t rush. You’ll get there when you’re ready. There’s no shame in taking your time. Learning to drive can feel hard and tiring, so give yourself credit every step of the way.”
Those are words I hope others will take to heart.
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Final Thoughts — From Both of Us
For Lydia, learning to drive wasn’t just about passing a test. It was about gaining control, confidence, and independence. For me, working with Lydia reinforced why I do what I do: to make driving accessible for everyone, especially those who’ve been made to feel it’s not for them.
If you’re neurodivergent, anxious, or have struggled with confidence, I want you to know this:
You don’t have to fit into a one-size-fits-all approach to learn how to drive. You just need the right support, at the right pace, with someone who understands your needs. Lydia is proof that with the right environment, you can thrive — and even enjoy the journey along the way.
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Are you ready to get started?
Whether you have ADHD, anxiety, or you’ve simply not had a positive experience learning to drive before — let’s have a chat. You deserve to feel confident behind the wheel, and I’d love to help you get there.
