Drive With Smurph - Sophie Murphy ADI

11/11/2026

Armistice Day | 11 November

Today, we remember and honour the courage, service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in conflicts past and present.

We remember the Armed Forces, veterans, those who never returned home, and the families who continue to live with the impact of conflict.

Their bravery and sacrifice gave so much, and their stories deserve to be remembered.

Lest we forget.

08/11/2026

🚗 A little challenge for supervising drivers…

I’m seeing more and more learners choosing to learn entirely through private practice, sometimes stopping professional lessons altogether.

I completely understand why. Driving lessons are expensive.

But I’m also seeing things during private practice that genuinely worry me.

Outdated Highway Code knowledge. Rules being misunderstood. Phones being used while supervising. Bad habits being passed on.

And sometimes, it’s simply about learning how to move a car.

But moving a car and developing a SAFE driver are two very different things.

Experience does not automatically mean your knowledge is up to date. And bad habits can be built just as easily as good ones.

So here’s my challenge…

Parents and supervising drivers, send me a message and explain how you teach someone to find the biting point.

Not just what you do, explain the detail.

Because you’ve spent years doing it without thinking. Teaching someone else to understand it is a completely different skill.

I’m not saying this to sell lessons. Yes, I have bills to pay 😂 But my job is about so much more than getting someone through a test.

It’s about helping build safe drivers for life.

We would do anything for our children’s safety. So put your ego aside, refresh your knowledge and consider booking a mock test.

Their safety matters more than being right. 💙

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

🚗 Things nobody tells you about learning to drive…

You might feel like you're making absolutely no progress…

Until one day, you do something that used to terrify you without even thinking about it.

You might not notice the little improvements happening every lesson.

The junction that feels less scary.
The roundabout you approached with more confidence.
The manoeuvre that finally makes sense.
The moment you realise you're thinking less and doing more.

Progress isn't always obvious.

Sometimes it's happening quietly in the background while you're busy worrying about everything else.

So if you're feeling stuck right now, don't give up.

You might be doing better than you think.

07/11/2026

🚗 A little reminder from a driving instructor…

You don't have to be perfect to be making progress.

You don't have to get everything right first time.
You don't have to remember every single thing we've ever practised.
And you definitely don't have to apologise every time something goes wrong.

Learning to drive is a process. Some lessons will feel amazing, others might feel like you've forgotten everything you knew.

That's normal!

The important thing is that you're learning, building experience and getting a little more confident each time.

05/11/2026

🎆 Remember, remember the 5th of November! 🎆

Happy Bonfire Night everyone!

Whether you’re heading out to watch the fireworks, wrapping up warm around a bonfire, or enjoying a cosy night in with the family, I hope you have a lovely evening!

A little Bonfire Night reminder from your driving bestie:

🚗 Keep an extra eye out for pedestrians, especially children.
🎆 Expect unexpected distractions and people crossing roads.
🌫️ Smoke and darkness can make visibility tricky, so take your time.
👀 If fireworks are lighting up the sky while you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road! It’s tempting to look, but those few seconds of distraction could mean missing something important.

Have a safe, sparkly and enjoyable evening everyone!

Drive safely, stay warm and enjoy the fireworks… just not from behind the wheel!

03/11/2026

Can't get out for private practice between lessons? That doesn't mean you have to sit around waiting for your next one!

There are still ways to keep your learning moving forward.

📚 Revise your theory. Understanding road signs, priorities and hazards helps you make better decisions on the road.

👀 Observe when you're a passenger. Think about why the driver slows down, where they position the car and what hazards they might be anticipating.

📝 Write down what you've learned. Make a note of anything you found difficult or want to ask your instructor about.

🎥 Watch useful driving videos. Look for explanations that reinforce what you've been taught, rather than trying to learn advanced skills without guidance.

🧠 Give yourself time to process. You don't have to spend every spare minute thinking about driving!

You can make progress without being behind the wheel every day.

And remember, if you're unsure whether something you've seen online is correct, ask your instructor.

02/11/2026

Let's talk about something that can make driving so much harder than it needs to be...

Worrying about what other drivers think of you.

You take a little longer to move off and imagine the car behind is getting impatient.

You approach a roundabout carefully and feel pressured because someone is following closely.

You stall and immediately think everyone around you is judging you.

Sound familiar?

Here's your reminder: you cannot control how other people react, but you can control the decisions you make.

Don't rush out of a junction because someone is waiting. Don't speed up because a driver is close behind. And don't make a decision you're unsure about just to keep someone else happy.

You are responsible for driving safely, not for making every other driver happy with your progress.

Take your time, keep observing and make your decisions based on the road, not the pressure you feel.

02/11/2026

🚗 PRIVATE PRACTICE: ARE WE GETTING IT RIGHT?

A question for parents and supervising drivers...

If you had to take your driving test tomorrow, would you pass?

Don't feel offended by that question! Most experienced drivers struggle with parts of the theory test, and being a good driver doesn't automatically make you good at teaching it?

I regularly see learners who have had lots of private practice but have picked up incorrect habits, missed important skills or have gaps in their knowledge.

I completely understand that lessons are expensive. But private practice shouldn't be a replacement for professional instruction.

Use it to reinforce what your instructor is teaching. Ask questions, get guidance and make sure you're practising the right things.

Because ultimately...

Lessons are expensive. But so is a funeral.

This isn't just about passing a driving test. It's about keeping your young person, their passengers and everyone else on the road safe.

Private practice is brilliant when it's done right. Professional lessons provide the foundations. You need both.

01/11/2026

The darker mornings are here 😵‍💫🫠 which means there is reduced visibility and more challenging road conditions.

Before you set off this morning, and every other morning this winter, make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey. We recommend giving yourself extra time too - a safer journey always starts with good preparation.

For more road safety advice, click the link below...

https://www.notts-fire.gov.uk/community/outdoor-safety/road-safety/