Driving lessons with Gavin Buchanan in Thames, Waihi and Whangamata
driving lessons
in Whangamata
Learn to drive, locally right here in Whangamata.
(As Thames is the location for local driving tests for the area, we recommend advanced driving lessons in Thames so you can become accustomed higher traffic levels and infrastructure that is not available to practice on in smaller towns i.e. various types of intersections, roundabouts (including a multi land roundabout at Kopu) and a merging lane.)
Whangamata Area School Students
We work with students at our local high schools at Whangamata Area School. Lessons are able to be commenced from and finished at Whangamata Area School to suit students.
Practice Tests
If you'd like to experience the test - or as real as it gets without doing it - book a practice test in Thames with our instructor Gavin Buchanan. Gavin was a Testing Officer in Thames and took over 10,000 tests. Gavin will help you pass the real test by pointing out and correcting any errors you may be making and are unaware of.
Senior Driving coaching
We offer senior driving coaching in Whangamata also. You can choose to drive your own car, or ours and Gavin will meet you at your own home, workplace or retirement village etc.If you're a current AA member aged 74 or above, this is a FREE member benefit you can use very two years!
Find out more about FREE SENIOR DRIVING COACHING for AA members here.
Defensive Driving Courses and assessments
We do Defensive Driving courses and assessments in Whangamata as well as Fleet and Business training.
Local Whangamata hazards
If you would like to feel more confident on a winding road like the Whangamata to Waihi or Whitianga, or the Kopu Hikuai Road, open road driving or driving on gravel roads*, Gavin can cover these in your lesson.
He will also discuss managing local conditions such as fog on the Hauraki Plains and black ice on the Kopu Hikuai road etc.
*Gavin likes his car to be clean and and shiny at all times, so we prefer you use your car for any driving on gravel roads please - to avoid him needing the clean the driving school car immediately!