I've wanted to be a Driving Instructor ever since I had driving lessons and passed my test when I was 17. As soon as I was 21 I started training with the Driving Instructor Training Centre in Redhill. I passed Part 1, then when I was preparing for Part 2, they moved offices quite a long way from my home and I found it impossible to fit in training with a full time job and a horse. So I didn't complete it at the time, but always regretted it. Many years later, in 2018, I started looking into it again when my youngest child started college, and discovered SmartDriving. I had contacted other training organisations, but I loved the professional literature SmartDriving sent me, and after a conversation with a member of their team - who confirmed I would be able to do the in-car training locally to me - I signed up on 31 December 2018. I've been working in a school for nearly 14 years, so my school holidays became study times, along with every evening when I got home from work. I've enjoyed every aspect of my training: from the theory at the start, right through to the PDI surgeries at the end. I attended more PDI surgeries than I needed to for my ADI21AT forms, but I found them so helpful and enjoyable. There was no part of the training I didn't enjoy. I felt as though I was getting an incredibly thorough education in driver training. I would say to anyone who is thinking about training to be a Driving Instructor, speak to SmartDriving. Be prepared to put in a lot of work, but you will definitely reap the rewards. When my first learner passed their test, I was ecstatic! To be a part of such a life-changing moment in someone's life is so amazing. I love what I'm doing now and I'm so thankful to SmartDriving for getting me here. I passed my Part 3 test on the second attempt, and am so proud to be graded "A".