Drive With Smurph - Sophie Murphy ADI

23/08/2026

We know. We know. It's still summer. The sun is out. Nobody wants to think about autumn. ☀️
But here's the thing — the best time to check your wipers, battery, lights and tyres is before the nights draw in, not after. 🔧
Save this post while you're enjoying the sunshine and your autumn self will be very grateful. 🍂

21/08/2026

Ever wanted your own personal cheerleader? 📣

Well, I can't promise I'll follow you around clapping at everything you do...

But I can sit in the passenger seat and cheer you on whilst you learn to drive 🚗

I'm opening up my September diary, so I have space for a few more people who need someone to be in their corner along the way.

I'll teach you the skills you need to drive, obviously(!) but I'll also celebrate the little wins, remind you how far you've come and be there on the days when your confidence is nowhere to be found.

Because sometimes learning to drive isn't just about learning how to drive. Sometimes you need someone reminding you that you can do this.

So if you're looking for a manual driving instructor who'll teach you to drive and be your personal cheerleader along the way... Send me a message 📩

Boring bits⬇️
🚘I cover Mansfield and surrounding areas (message to check if I cover your address)
🚘Manual lessons

19/08/2026

🌧️ FINALLY, we have rain! 🌧️😂

But after such a long spell of heat and dry roads, that first proper downpour can make the roads really slippy as the rain mixes with oil and dirt on the road.

So please take your time, slow down, leave extra space and drive to the conditions! 🚗

Stay safe out there 🤍

18/08/2026

You can now book directly with me 🚗

Thinking about learning to drive? Or know someone who is?

I’m excited to say that you can now book your driving lessons directly with me through my personal Bill Plant booking link! 🥰

Whether you’re:
✨ A complete beginner
✨ Nervous about getting behind the wheel
✨ Returning to driving after a break
✨ Or just looking for a patient, supportive instructor

I’m here to help you go from nervous → confident at your own pace.

📍 Mansfield & surrounding areas
🚗 Manual driving lessons
👩🏼‍🏫 Female ADI
💙 A calm, supportive approach with no judgement

If you’re ready to get started, you can book directly here 👇
https://www.billplant.co.uk/driving-lessons/book?ref=okxc595b

Or send me a message if you’d like to chat first, I’m always happy to answer any questions! 😊

Get local lessons from the UK's National Driving School of the Year. Learn to drive anywhere in the UK using one of our Driving Instructors.

05/08/2026

I don't know who needs to hear this, but...

🚨 If you move your head but don't process what you see, it wasn't a mirror check. It was just a head movement.

05/08/2026

🚨🚨🚨🚨

03/08/2026

"I keep stalling... I'm terrible at clutch control." 😩

Can I let you in on a little secret?

It's probably not your clutch control.

Most of the time, it's your timing.

The clutch isn't an on/off switch. It's a conversation between your feet. 👣
Lift it too quickly, and the car complains. Hold it at the biting point for a moment, add a little gas, then let it come up smoothly... and suddenly everything feels much easier.

And yes, you'll stall sometimes.

Every learner does.

Stalling doesn't mean you're a bad driver. It just means your feet are still learning a movement they've never had to do before.

One day you'll pull away without even thinking about it.

02/08/2026

One thing I hear quite a lot from learners is...

"My mum/dad said they only had 10 lessons." 🙄

And that's usually where the frustration starts.

The truth is, comparing how long it took someone to learn 20 or 30 years ago just doesn't work.

The roads are busier.
Cars are different.
Traffic is heavier.
The expectations of new drivers are higher.
And everyone learns at a different pace.

Learning to drive isn't something that should be rushed because someone else's uncle passed after 12 lessons in 1995.

In fact, passing in the lowest number of hours isn't an achievement.

Being a safe, confident driver who knows how to deal with real-life situations... that's the achievement.

As an instructor, I could rush people to test. But that's not what I'd want for my own family, so it's not what I'll do for yours.

So if your learner starts worrying because "everyone else did it quicker", remind them they're not learning to collect a pass certificate as fast as possible.

They're learning a skill they'll (hopefully!) use for the rest of their life.

I'd much rather they take a few extra lessons than a shortcut that could cost them far more later. 🚗

31/07/2026

🎉 FIRST TIME PASS! 🎉

Huge congratulations to Ethan on passing his driving test first time with just 2 driving faults! 🚗

I'm so proud of the determination you've shown throughout your journey.

Watching you grow in confidence and achieve your goal has been so rewarding. You should be incredibly proud of yourself and everything you've achieved.

Enjoy the freedom, drive safely and keep believing in yourself. 😊

Well done, Ethan! 🚗💫