Rod Rodrigo - Driving Instructor

13/04/2026

Congrats Jack! Freedom! All the very best for your next ventures!

31/03/2026

Congrats Isla! A nice little first time pass today, enjoy your freedom!

02/02/2026

Congrats Olivia! First time pass for a future pilot with one driver fault - you mastered the ground, now you can start conquering the skies!

24/12/2025

Congrats Lani! Determined, persevering, consistent, smashed it in your own auto car!

07/12/2025

Following the recent BBC article below, I would like to add my dismay at the frivolous exploitation of students (and parents) that these callous people are carrying out.

I have never benefited from third parties block booking tests by giving them my details, or tests being bought from third party resellers.

I will never condone or support third party reselling for a service which is quite readily available directly.

A minority of my students have been forced to use these third party resellers due to the urgency of their test requirement - eg for their new job, or to start a new business.

There have been numerous lobbies and sometimes confrontations with the DVSA - the last I witnessed at a conference recently where the DVSA CEO did a very good imitation of a chocolate teapot (she has since stepped down) where she blamed the government and the system that we are in for not being able to do ANYTHING that genuine ADIs have been asked for, for years.

So many changes that have been brought in by the DVSA were broadly non-consultative with key stakeholders like ADI organisations or Driving Schools being left out of the loop. Changes were brought in without really evidencing how they would sort out the current backlog and problems with Driving Test bookings.

For example they are bringing in 'military examiners'. They will increase capacity by around 1500 tests. The backlog is MONTHS and in the tens of thousands!

My solution (and a lot of ADI's solution as well): In an age where identity is quite reliably quantified, there is no reason why the test booking system cannot require a pupils provisional license number has to be attached to a booking at all times. Sure - allow them to swap but a license must be attached and that license number cannot have more than one test attached to it. Simple.

I implore you to write to your MPs asking for them to bring in this simple change that will put an end to third party reselling of tests and block booking of tests at all.

See you on the road and thank you for all your support!

Touts use instructor login details to bulk-book tests and sell them at a huge mark-up, the BBC finds.

06/11/2025

Congrats Owen! A dreary day for a delightful result - clean sheet!! (Zero faults)

04/11/2025

Congrats Luca! First time pass with just a couple of hesitations at busy roundabouts - can’t ask for more!

25/10/2025

Congrats Brandon! Own car. Own the result. First time pass with just two driver faults. Determined, unwavering, persevering. So well deserved!

13/09/2025

Congrats Becky! After tests elsewhere, never has a test result been sweeter. To paraphrase a saying: when life throws you lemons, you collect them until you have enough for a glassful of lemonade! Sometimes circumstance plays a fateful part in tests. Persevere, stay strong, come back stronger, win!

04/09/2025

Congrats Kyan! Great little pass in Leighton Buzzard - giving you that all important independence you need for your job!

15/08/2025

Congrats Erin! First time pass… without me. One driver fault for fixing the manoeuvre - I call that a clean sheet! Thanks Rowlinson for standing in for me!