Your driver licence is your ticket to success, now more than ever. For work, study, travel and the freedom to choose wherever, and whenever, you want to go. 

Get helpful, friendly driving lessons from NZTA qualified AA Driving Instructor, Gavin Buchanan.

Learn how to drive in a manual or automatic car in the Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Paeroa, Coromandel Peninsula, Mercury Bay and Hauraki Plains area with Thames Driver Training - your local AA Driving School.

driving lessons

Driving lessons, or a Defensive Driving course, are a great practical gift idea! 

driving courses

Learner Licence Courses

An interactive two day course to help you get your Learner Licence.

You'll learn the road rules in the New Zealand Road Code. Find out the difference between compulsory road rules, advisory actions, best practice and the reasoning behind some of New Zealand’s road rules.

Shortly after the course (usually the next day) you will do your Learners Licence test.

Find out more about our next Learner Licence course.

AA Defensive Driving Courses

This course teaches you how to drive more safely and also cuts six months off the time to get your full licence.

The course is 9 hours of learning time in total, held over four evenings in group sessions.
 

Hands on practical skills are taught during an individual in car tuition session in our new Suzuki Swift (or your car if you prefer). Access to e-drive online learning is included for further practice at home.

We run AA Defensive Driving courses in Thames, Waihi and Whangamata and other areas by arrangement for schools or groups.

Find out more about our next Defensive Driving Course.

about me

Hi, I’m Gavin Buchanan, your local AA Driving Instructor.

Coming from a Testing Officer background, I offer you the best of both worlds because I will share my in-depth knowledge of what’s expected of you during your test.
 

I’ve spent most of my life on New Zealand roads. I’ve ridden horses, pedaled bikes, driven cars, trucks, hauled heavy trailers, been an in-house Driver Trainer, Logistics Manager and I was a Driving Testing Officer for 5 years.

I conduct AA Defensive Driving courses and also provide Defensive Driving for Fleet and Business customers.

My goal is to help you succeed to learn to drive safely and to get your driver licence.