Phil Gunney Driving Instructor

17/03/2026

We’re putting learners in control of their car driving test bookings 🚘

If you’ve got a booking or you’ll be looking for a test soon, make a note of these dates 📅

31 March 2026 – only 2 changes can be made to a booking

12 May 2026 – only learners are allowed to book a test and make changes

9 June 2026 – learners can move their booked test only to nearby centres

By changing who can book car and change driving tests, we’re aiming to reduce the re-selling of driving tests, giving the power back to learners 💪

Read more on GOV.UK 👇

https://ow.ly/uP1T50YuHaJ

29/01/2025

New car for the new year!

26/11/2024

29/02/2024

Worth a watch! The worrying things is how many people in the comments simple have no idea of the rules of the road!!

Re read the Highway Code everyone

70.4K likes, 4510 comments. “Attention everyone that drives here in the United Kingdom - LISTEN UP! Middle Lane Hogging is the single most hated habit here on U.K roads! The irony, is that most of you reading this are to blame and yet still do it anyway! What are your thoughts on this and how can ...

29/12/2022

Some ramblings from my mind

I started writing this blog a while ago. We went out for a meal a lovely family occasion which for me was slightly spoilt by the fact calories for each meal were displayed on the menu! In a move to…

17/11/2021

It’s road safety week and we all need to be more careful and stick to the rules! The car driver overtaking the cyclist without adequate clearance also cause my student to brake and swerve to avoid them!

Imagine if the cyclist had fallen off the car would have hit him!

What we were in a lorry not a car would there have been enough room?

04/10/2021

Highway Code - Rule 201

Pick up a copy of the Highway Code from the Safe Driving for Life shop - for life, not just for learners.

http://ow.ly/KVhF50FTqb0

01/10/2021

Written by another instructor

Booked your driving test????

Don’t have an instructor for those “few lessons” you “need” and the use of a car just so you can pass?!

If this sounds familiar, it’s worth noting WE ARE NOT HIRE CARS.

Driving instructors are well aware of the many people who book practical tests and then rush around asking every instructor in the local area hoping someone will take you. We get messages from you several times a week! The answer is always the same-no!

So let’s look at why you are you finding it hard to get an instructor to take you on….

The truth is we are busy, and booked up weeks in advance.
We therefore do not take pupils we don’t know and haven’t trained, we concentrate on those we do know and are prepared to put the required hours in.

Why you ask??
Because it takes more than a “few lessons” to assess your ability for a start. We then have to spend time to correct the faults and ensure that you have enough time to practise driving to the safe standard that is required to pass.
We then have to ensure you can consistently drive safely and INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT HELP….

So hopefully now you can start to see why your kind offer of a “few lessons” is often rejected.

I have never met a student yet who has been able to meet the standard required to pass a test in two lessons, and I would invite any instructor to correct me if I’m wrong.

So why have you booked this test?
Maybe you're in a rush to pass- I get it we want it done ASAP.
Also, it’s expensive learning to drive isn’t it, lessons are costly we understand that, but so is a funeral….

Ask yourself this…(and be honest)….
Would you jump into a pool knowing you aren’t able to swim yet….in the hope you might just survive?
Course you wouldn’t!

So then why book (and or a sit) a test you’ve not prepared for, aren’t at the standard to pass and could risk other peoples life’s all to “have a go” - yes I’m talking about the examiner who has to sit next to you fearing for his life, and the other road users you’ve put at risk all to “have a go”?

So please - if you’ve made it this far…don’t book a test until you have spoke with an instructor willing to take you.
Your blocking up an already back logged system, and will no doubt have to cancel that test when you fail to find an instructor to “hire”.
Making it even more difficult for people who are ready to book a test.

27/09/2021

Changes in the Highway Code

Teaching people to drive is a big responsibility so, alongside the Total Drive Driving Instructor App we’re here to help you keep up with industry news and new rules outlined in the Highway Code.

09/09/2021

This week we are focusing on raising awareness of vulnerable road users and how we can all do our bit as motorists to keep the roads of Surrey as safe as possible. Those referred to as vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. 🧍🚴🛵🐎 It can also apply to children, older and disabled people, and learner and inexperienced drivers and riders.

If you are behind a vulnerable road user, remember to be patient and give others time and room. By being extra vigilant we can all do our bit to make Surrey roads safer for everyone.

19/05/2021

This driver came flying up and tailgated us at the start of the video before using the wrong side of traffic islands and mini roundabout to overtake!

Got them a long way!

Dangerous and intimidating driving around a learner