Steve Chaplin Driving School

13/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Hannah Radwell from Ilkeston on passing her automatic driving test at Chilwell Driving Test Centre today! 🎉

What a fantastic achievement—and one that’s thoroughly deserved! 🚗👏

When Hannah first came to Steve Chaplin Driving School, she was understandably nervous after a difficult experience learning with other driving schools. Together, we worked on rebuilding her confidence, and it was wonderful to see her develop into a calm, capable and safe driver.

Today, all that hard work paid off as Hannah passed her driving test with just 3 driving faults. A brilliant drive and a result she can be incredibly proud of. 🌟

Originally from London, having her full driving licence will make it much easier to visit her family whenever she wants. It also means plenty of new adventures with her much-loved greyhound, Willow, who I’m sure will enjoy those road trips just as much as Hannah! 🐾❤️

There’s also a lovely little twist to today’s success. Hannah used to work as a tattooist and told me that, in the tattoo world, 13 is often considered a lucky number. Well, today was 13th July… and it certainly turned out to be Hannah’s lucky day! 🍀

Hannah, thank you for putting your trust in me after your earlier experiences. It has been a pleasure helping you achieve your goal, and I’m delighted you’ve now got the freedom and independence that comes with passing your test.

Congratulations once again, Hannah. Drive safely, enjoy every mile, and have an amazing time making memories with your family and Willow. 🚗✨

🚗 Looking for automatic driving lessons in Ilkeston?

Join my waiting list:
https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk/service-areas/ilkeston

16/06/2026

Many of my pupils are surprised by how much they enjoy learning in an electric car.

While EVs aren’t the right choice for everyone, they’re becoming an increasingly realistic option for new drivers. This guide highlights some of the advantages, costs and considerations worth thinking about before choosing your first car.

Having taught in an electric vehicle for several years, I’d certainly encourage learners to keep an open mind about them.

As more learners choose automatic tests, you might be wondering – should your very first car be an EV? While electric vehicles offer incredible long-term savings on charging and routine servicing, the initial insurance premiums can be higher. Use this quick guide to weigh up the pros and cons be...

08/06/2026

🚗🎉 THEORY TEST SUCCESS! 🎉🚗

A huge congratulations to Amber Manders from West Hallam on passing her Theory Test! 👏

✅ Multiple Choice: 47/50
✅ Hazard Perception: 66/75

A fantastic result and another step closer to gaining a full driving licence. 🌟

Amber prepared using the FREE online Theory Test Pro training available to all Steve Chaplin Driving School pupils, giving her access to realistic practice questions, mock tests and hazard perception clips.

Thinking about learning with me? You can get free limited access to Theory Test Pro here:

👉 https://chaplin-driving.theorytestpro.co.uk/students/new

Well done, Amber! 👏 Keep up the great work as we continue towards the practical test. 🚗

📍 West Hallam, Derbyshire
🌐 Discover more: https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk/service-areas/west-hallam

01/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Courtney Newton from Beeston on passing her driving test at Chilwell! 🚗💨

A fantastic result and thoroughly deserved after all the hard work, focus and determination Courtney has shown throughout her lessons.

Passing your driving test is about so much more than just gaining a licence — it’s about building confidence, making safe decisions and creating the freedom to enjoy new opportunities. Courtney has worked hard to achieve exactly that and is now ready to enjoy the independence that comes with having her own car.

With summer ahead, Courtney and her children are already looking forward to plenty of family adventures, including lots of trips to the zoo 🦁🐘🐒

It’s been a pleasure helping you on your journey, Courtney. Wishing you many safe, happy miles and lots of fantastic family memories ahead 🚙✨

If you’re looking for supportive, professional automatic driving lessons, discover more at https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk

11/05/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to Ellie Ball from Ilkeston on passing her driving test at Chilwell! 🚗💨

Ellie joined me after starting out with another instructor, and together we worked through a mix of challenges along with some really positive breakthroughs.

Today it all came together — a calm, controlled drive that impressed the examiner, who even complimented her at the end 👏

A fantastic result, passing with just one driving fault ✅

With a new job already underway and her own car ready, the timing couldn’t have been better for her next step into independent driving 🚗✨

A brilliant achievement Ellie — you should be really proud 👍

📍 Automatic driving lessons in Ilkeston & surrounding areas
🔗 https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk/service-areas/ilkeston

07/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Sophie! 🎉

A fantastic result for Sophie Chippendale-Scott from Codnor, who passed her driving test today at Chilwell Test Centre with just ONE driving fault 👏🚗

Sophie has found driving challenging at times and has had to work through her nerves, so this is a really well-deserved result. A great example of sticking with it and not giving up 💪

Even better, Sophie now joins her dad, sister, and brother — all of whom have also passed with me. A brilliant achievement for the whole family 😊

Sophie took her test in her own car and showed real determination to get herself over the line.

A big thank you as well to Rob from Apple Driving School for his support with mock tests and valuable feedback in the lead-up to the test — it really helped make a difference 👍

Enjoy the freedom, Sophie — you’ve earned it! 🚘✨

👉 Find out more about learning with me: https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk

21/04/2026

🚗 Another fantastic pass today — congratulations Linda Whitley! 🎉

Linda, from Heanor, got in touch with me a few months ago with one clear goal — to gain her full driving licence.

With some great early road experience from her CBT (motorbike training), support from her partner, and regular drives over to Stoke, she made rapid progress from the start.

Despite feeling very nervous at times and not always believing she’d reach this stage… she proved to herself what she’s capable of 💪

And today, she passed her automatic driving test at Ashfield Driving Test Centre! ✅

As a busy mum to two teenage sons, this is a huge achievement — showing that it’s never too late to start and succeed 👏

Enjoy the freedom and independence, Linda — you’ve earned it! 🚗✨

If you’re based in Heanor and thinking about learning to drive, you can find out more here:
https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk/service-areas/heanor

30/03/2026

A quick heads-up for my pupils (and anyone learning to drive) 👇

The booking system is changing, and a few of these updates could catch people out if you’re not aware of them.

Have a read so you can stay in control of your test planning.

I’ll break this down simply in the comments 👇

19/03/2026

🎉 Congratulations Evie! 🎉

A huge well done to Evie Bexon from Ilkeston, who has passed her automatic driving test at Chilwell 🚗✅

Evie came to me after both her older brother and sister passed with me a few years ago, so it’s been an absolute pleasure helping the third member of the family gain their full licence.

With her own car already waiting, Evie can now enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with being a qualified driver.

It’s been fantastic supporting all three of you on your journeys — thank you for trusting Steve Chaplin Driving School along the way.

Drive safe and enjoy the road ahead, Evie! 🌟

Learn more about automatic driving lessons in Ilkeston:
https://www.chaplin-driving.co.uk/service-areas/ilkeston

23/02/2026

🚗 FIRST TIME PASS at Ashfield Driving Test Centre 🎉

Huge congratulations to James Simon Chippendale-scott from Codnor who passed his driving test first time today 👏

James originally started learning in an automatic, but decided he wanted the flexibility of a manual licence. After getting his own car, we switched to manual — and it didn’t take him long to master the clutch and gears.

With motorbike experience behind him, his road awareness was already strong, and it showed on test day.

Even better, his dad and sister both passed with me too — so it was great to help the third member of the family gain their full licence 👏

Well done James — thoroughly deserved. Drive safe and enjoy the freedom 🚗

Find out more: www.chaplin-driving.co.uk