Tom Mathews Driver Training

12/06/2026

DO NOT USE CANCELLATION APPS TO MOVE YOUR TEST THE DVSA ARE CANCELLING TESTS FOR THIS NOW. 👀

Booking your driving test? Make sure you’re doing it the right way. ✅

Since 12 May, it has been against the law for anyone but the learner driver to book a driving test. Using unofficial apps, bots or automated tools also breaks the terms and conditions of our booking service.

We've already cancelled 450 tests where tests have been booked outside the new rules – and we're continuing to monitor activity closely. 💪

If misuse of the booking system is identified, we can cancel your booking and suspend your ability to manage your test online.

Our priority is to make the system fair for every learner and to stop you being exploited by third parties. The only way to book and manage a test is through GOV.UK. 💻

👉 Find out more about the risks of using unofficial driving test booking services: https://ow.ly/86GB50Zb0Jh

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

Jess passed in Rhyl today. Well done you, I hope you stay safe and enjoy it. Thanks again for trusting me with your journey to safe driving 👍🚘

01/06/2026

🚗 Tom's Top 10 Tips for Supervising a Learner Driver 🚗

So your learner wants some extra practice between lessons? Fantastic! Private practice can make a huge difference, but it can also be stressful for both the learner and the supervisor if you're not prepared.

Here are my Top 10 Tips for making those practice drives safer, calmer and more productive:

1️⃣ Start somewhere quiet. An empty car park or quiet residential area is ideal. Remember, they're driving a car that's probably very different from their instructor's, often without dual controls, so give them chance to build confidence first.

2️⃣ Give them plenty of time to plan. Whether it's a turn, a roundabout or stopping at a junction, avoid last-second instructions. Early guidance equals better decisions.

3️⃣ Make sure L plates are displayed correctly. They should be securely fitted to the FRONT and REAR of the vehicle, not tucked inside the windows where they're difficult to see.

4️⃣ Keep calm. If you panic, they panic. A calm voice can prevent a mistake becoming a bigger problem.

5️⃣ Avoid information overload. One instruction at a time works best. Learners already have plenty going on inside their heads.

6️⃣ Don't grab the handbrake unless it's absolutely necessary. Pulling it unexpectedly can create more danger than the situation you're trying to avoid.

7️⃣ Pick your routes wisely. Don't throw them straight into rush hour traffic, busy town centres or complex junctions before they're ready.

8️⃣ Focus on progress, not perfection. Mistakes are part of learning. Every experienced driver was once the nervous beginner behind the wheel.

9️⃣ Remember it's stressful for both of you. Learners are concentrating harder than most people realise, and supervisors often feel responsible for everything happening around them. Patience goes a long way.

🔟 Finish on a positive. Even if there were mistakes, talk about what went well. Confidence is built one successful drive at a time.

A good supervisor can make a massive difference to a learner's journey. Stay patient, stay calm, and remember that every mile of quality practice is another step towards safe driving and test day success. 🚗💨

Have you supervised a learner recently? What's the best piece of advice you'd add to the list?

30/05/2026

A cracking motorway lesson this morning for Poppy ( ) with a trip all the way to Manchester and back! 🚗💨

Today's drive included tackling the A*5, M56, M62, M602 and the mighty M6, giving Poppy plenty of experience on different types of roads, traffic conditions and smart motorways along the way.

As if that wasn't enough, we also had to deal with some heavy congestion around Runcorn, changing speed limits, lane discipline on busy motorway sections and an unexpected diversion off the dual carriageway on the way home. Real driving at its finest, where plans change and drivers need to adapt.

Poppy took it all in her stride, showing great awareness, confidence and composure throughout. These longer drives are where learners really start to develop, building the experience and decision-making skills that simply can't be taught on quieter local roads.

Of course, no motorway lesson would be complete without a well-earned McDonald's breakfast to start the day off right! 🍟🍔☕

A fantastic drive from start to finish and another big step towards becoming a safe, confident and independent driver. Well done Poppy, you should be proud of yourself today! 👏🚗🌟

🚗 100+ miles of experience, smart motorways, congestion, diversions and a McMuffin. That's a proper driving lesson. 👌

28/05/2026

20/05/2026

Sam passed in Rhyl today. Well done you, I hope you stay safe and enjoy it. Thanks again for trusting me with your journey to safe driving 👍🚘

19/05/2026

Shaun passed in Rhyl today. Well done you, I hope you stay safe and enjoy it. Thanks again for trusting me with your journey to safe driving 👍🚘

12/05/2026

This has largely been my policy anyways, however now it's mandatory. Going forwards all pupils will need to ask for my instructor reference number when booking a test 👍🏻🚘

Putting learners in control 🚗

From today, only learners will be able to book driving tests.

We’ve made this change to:

Clampdown on test reselling and exploitation by third parties ⛔

Make sure tests are accessible only to learners 🔐

Provide a fairer booking system ✅

Read more on GOV.UK 👇
https://ow.ly/viIc50YWwOA

03/05/2026

Join us at Dyserth Waterfalls this Monday for the annual RNLI Duck Boat Race. Choose your duck and watch them brave the rapids, winners take the prize.

Many other stalls on site too... do you know someone to go in the lifeboat stocks?