It was in 1983 when a new driving school was opened in Bungay.
The owner, Mike Daniels.
Mike had spent his early days after training as a motor vehicle technician and workshop foreman for large a motor vehicle distributor in Norwich.
He was then head hunted away by the road transport training board, teaching young mechanics, and then to train and join their transport division.
After training as a fully qualified driving instructor and working for RITB, Mike decided the time was right to venture out and start his own training school.
Thousands of people are now driving and enjoying the open road after gaining help from Mike.
During the first month of trading, Samantha Pettitt from Bungay, Muriel Care from Poringland and Tracey Rowley of Toftwood, all passed their driving test first time.
Mike has seen many changes over the years, from the days when at the end of the test the examiner asked highway questions, and showed road signs that needed identifying, but now in the present day we see the theory test and hazard perception test all computer based.
The theory must be passed before any practical test can be booked.
The practical test recently re-vamped to cover reverse parking, bay parking, longer tests including more national speed limit open roads and the examiner asking 2 mechanical questions about the car.
Mike really does enjoy teaching road safety, meeting nice people, and many evenings he can be seen visiting local clubs and organisations giving talks on the life of a driving instructor. Adding humour to the serious points of how to survive on our highly condensed traffic situations on the roads today.
Mike has also appeared on television talking about driving, and was a guest on Louise Priest Programme on BBC Radio Norfolk, talking of his job and taking part in a live phone in by a number of people with driving problems.
Mike belongs to many associations in his industry and is proud to be a member of the elite Institute of Master Tutors of Driving – only gained by recommendation. He also holds the Diploma in Driving Instruction gained through Middlesex University.
Mike would like to see the day where new drivers must have a set number of training lessons both theory and practical before attending for a test.
The training programme of a modular type.
Only driving school cars used on a driving test.
And most of all a compulsory assessment for all drivers on a one to one confidential basis.
People forget, their cars are MOT tested for road-worthiness, but the drivers are not!
Mike also provides many courses: advanced training, instructor training, theory workshops, skid control, and working with health and safety at work.
Many people say it’s Mike in the fast lane always involved helping others to promote and keep our roads safe, but he says it is also down to the backbone of his business which is his wife Jenny.
Tel: Bungay 01986 893025
Mobile: 07860 452421
email: Danielsm80@aol.com
Web site: www.danielsdrivertraining.co.uk
Also see: Mike’s Driving Hints
Thompson Transport
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