Thames | Ngatea | Waihi | Whangamata
Driving Lessons & Defensive Driving Courses with Gavin Buchanan
Next Defensive Driving course: To be advised
Get low-stress driving lessons with your local professional Driving Instructor, Gavin Buchanan at Thames Driver Training. Learn to drive safely at your own pace in our dual-controlled automatic car, or your own automatic or manual car.
Established in 2018, our students continue to achieve a very high success rate. Previously operating as the AA Driving School and as the AA Driving Instructor in Thames, Paeroa, Waihi and Whangamata, in 2023 we chose to become your local independent driving school.
Book your driving lessons online, anytime. Easily see at a glance which days and times are available for driving lessons in Thames, Waihi, Ngatea or Whangamata, to you can book a time that suits you. Our clever booking system can even send you a free (opt in) text to remind you of your lesson.
We run public AA Defensive Driving Certificate Courses in Thames and other areas by arrangement for schools, organisations and workplaces, as well as driving courses for businesses, such as "Unsealed Roads" training and "Learner Licence" courses. We can create a customised course to suit your business or organisation's needs for upskilling.
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services
Local Driving lessons to gain your Restricted Licence or Full Licence.
Manual or automatic. Your car, or our dual-controlled automatic car.
Practice test - our Instructor, Gavin, was a Testing Officer for 5 years!
Everyone welcome!
Neuro diverse
Anxious
All ages (our oldest student was 80)
LGBTQ+ friendly
Differently Abled. We have helped people learn to drive with CP, deafness, various physical disabilities.
Senior Driver Coaching
Driving Assessments
Find out more about
driving lessons to get your
Restricted Driver Licence
Driver training for businesses and corporates etc, to suit your business and improve health and safety for your employees.
Unsealed Roads
Group class and individual practical instruction and assessment on local Coromandel unsealed roads.
Overseas Conversion
Assistance for businesses bringing in international staff who need to convert their overseas driving licences to New Zealand driving licences.
Defensive Driving
Advanced Driving
Find out more about
driving lessons to get your
Full Driver Licence
Learner Licence Courses
Two days group training with your Learner Licence test on the third day.
Defensive Driving Courses
Or the equivalent advanced driver training course that replaces the current Defensive Driving course...
Corporate Courses
In-house to suit your needs
School & Community Courses
In-house courses to suit for schools, community centres, local NGOs, Iwi-based organisations etc.
Find out more about
doing a
practice driving test
driving lessons
Now you've got your Learner Licence, I’ll help you move toward your Restricted Licence.
First we’ll talk about how much driving, and what type of driving you have done (if any) and what you’d like extra help with.
As a NZTA fully qualified and endorsed Driving Instructor, I'll show you how to drive, what to do - and what not to do.
Have driving lessons in your own automatic or manual car, or in our dual control automatic Suzuki Swift.
Find out more about
driving lessons to get your
Restricted Driver Licence
The Full Licence test is very interactive and comprehensive.
It's a test of your observation skills as much as your driving abilities.
You'll learn to identify what hazards are and how they could affect you.
Learn how to safeguard yourself and others from each specific hazard.
I'll help you to understand what you need to know, so you can practice and become confident before you take your Full Drivers Licence test.
Find out more about
driving lessons to get your
Full Driver Licence
Save money, time and stress - be completely prepared for your test by doing a practice test.
I conducted over 5000 tests as a Testing Officer before I became a Driving Instructor, so you can’t get any more like the real thing!
You'll learn what's expected and marked for in your practical Restricted or Full Licence driving test.
I'll point out any skills you need to improve on in your driving, or any errors that could see your test terminated.
Find out more about
doing a
practice driving test
REFRESHER or
senior driving coaching
I provide relaxed in-car refresher coaching for all ages including seniors.
Stay confident and safe in your driving skills knowing your knowledge of the current road rules is up to date.
I'll help you prepare for your practical test and can also provide a written driving assessment for your doctor (if requested).
about me
Hi, I’m Gavin Buchanan, your local Driving Instructor.
Coming from a Testing Officer background, I offer you the best of both worlds because I'll share my in-depth knowledge of what’s expected during your test, including a practice test when you're ready.
I provide driving lessons for all levels, run local AA Defensive Driving courses in Thames, Defensive Driving for Fleet and Business customers, as well refresher lessons and Senior Driving Coaching and driving assessments.
My goal is to help you succeed to learn to drive safely and to get your driver licence.
Find out more about me.
