Reliable Private Driving Instructor?

[ascirdla]

Can anyone recommend me a PDI they had a good experience with for Class 3 Manual at SSDC woodlands/admiralty etc. please pm contact!! so hard to find a good one

 

[M_virgo]

Hi... Anyone been with Cathay Driving Centre before? Any reviews is appreciated. Call them up and found out its quite ex. Been reading this forum for quite some time and i see some of the lessons is $45 per 1.5hrs but at Cathay is $51. Circuit is $100. If can recommend a cheaper PDI near east area also can. Preferred strict, patient and english speaking. TIA

 

[M_virgo]

I'm looking for a PDI who are able to conduct 3A (Auto) lessons on the weekends (morning/afternoon). Serious learner here.

Hoping there'll be a pickup @ the east side MRT. I stay in Bedok.

PM me for any recommendations please.

Thanks all!

hi found your PDI? Can PM the contact no?

 

[M_virgo]

Can I have Frankie number as well thanks.

hi, u have Mr Frankie's no alr?

 

[M_virgo]

Hi all, started lessons some time in October 2016 and just passed my test yesterday at Ubi CDC, manual, on first try, 14 points (should have been 8 as I disagreed with the tester for a 6-point offence but i can't possibly argue with him, can i?).

I had a nightmare initially looking for PDIs, let's just say there are so many fake reviews and crooks out there, and here's hoping my sharing of PDI contact will help. If anyone is looking for a reliable PDI, can consider Mdm Yap Siak Chok. I cannot be more grateful to her. If you've done due research, you'll agree there are no perfect instructors. I was too thrilled to finally start lessons after being played out by another PDI (auto) by the name of William (teaches in Tampines), who dropped me a text (he didn't even bother to call) a couple of days before my first lesson to say he could not commit.How unprofessional. Anyway, with Mdm Yap, she was pretty strict the first 5-6 lessons and I was demoralised. While she wouldn't yell, she may show her annoyance (hence my initial annoyance at her. admittedly, I'm prideful) at certain things I did/did not do. Hindsight is 20/20, and it was her consistent corrections during those formative lessons that (i realised later) good driving habits were formed. I even contemplated searching for another instructor (oops, sorry mdm yap) in case this doesn't work out but my hub advised that I stick around for 2-3 more lessons before deciding. boy was I glad I did. In the subsequent lessons, the dynamics changed. I can't put a finger on it, but we started chatting throughout the lesson (but still corrects me where necessary) and I attribute it to perhaps me starting to grasp driving (muscle memory) and she could trust me a little more on the roads (she has a pretty new Vios). I looked forward to every lesson since then and really enjoyed our convos. she's really quite funny. i found out later it's her way of getting me to relax (my body was very stiff from the stress)so i can drive better. worked like a charm.Also, her mandarin is way superior than her English, and I eventually switched to speaking mandarin with her, and that's when I learnt a lot from her. (she still gave driving instructions in english though, so she codeswitches back and forth).Another thing is,by the 5th or 6th lesson, i began to find lessons a little repetitive (i believe it's called complacency ) but once again, in hindsight, those lessons were necessary to hone certain skills and commit them to muscle memory, before she deems you ready to go into circuit, where those skills (like clutch control) is absolutely necessary.

My take on this is, if you are conversant in mandarin, can take constructive criticism and trust she has your best interests at heart, if you approach driving diligently, then you'll gain much under her tutelage/guidance. However, if you are the type who is super particular about certain things like ending lesson on the dot (she's super punctual. on certain days, she ended lessons 5 minutes before official time.. hello? given the nature of the job and traffic conditions, don;t be an arse and demand that it be made up another time. gosh. or if you start lessons 2-3 mins later cos previous student's lesson ends slightly later, don't go apeshit). In short, I think she teaches well, and from my convos with her, she has a lot of integrity and is very hardworking. in sum, if you can take constructive criticism, are not overly calculative (i believe the hokkien equivalent is "gniao"), do engage her. she is very busy though, cos she has loads of students, so no time to entertain some ridiculous people, so please don't call and ask 1001 questions or bargain for a lower price. Trust me, she'll tell you off (and i think you deserve it ) She's cool that way. Mdm Yap rocks!

I paid $50 for 1.5hr lessons, and $382 for driving test 'package' to be paid on driving test day which includes the usual 1.5hr warm-up, circuit entry on driving test day, car rental for test, insurance, everything lah etc)

additional tip: I personally found the initial circuit lessons daunting, and the learning curve steep. because we are sharing the circuit with other cars, in order not to hog the parking lot so others can come in and learn, there's a limited number of times we can queue up and go thru the motion again. And if you are like me, whose brain is the size of a pea, you may want to ask if you could take some time to write down the steps (after physically going thru all the steps a couple of times though). I prepared a paper and pen and scribbled down the steps hastily before turning out of the parallel/vertical lot. then go home and memorise these steps, revise them before your next circuit lesson. if the circuit is crowded, immediately note down notes after the lesson.


Good luck!

Hi can u pm me the PDI no? TIA

 

[Dales88]

Anyone can share contact for a reliable quick pace PDI for woodlands area? Looking for manual car. Thank you.

 

[Dales88]

Can anyone recommend me a PDI they had a good experience with for Class 3 Manual at SSDC woodlands/admiralty etc. please pm contact!! so hard to find a good one

Hi, Found any good PDI?

 

[kaexanne]

Anyone here wants a damn good and reliable punctual and caring driving instructor @ ubi cdc class 3 manual can PM me. Just passed my tp under him. His car is also very well maintained and clean!

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Hi there, could you kindly send me his name, contact and rates? Am a new member so couldn't PM you!

 

[kaexanne]

hi, u have Mr Frankie's no alr?

Same please! Thank you!

 

[kaexanne]

sent both of u his contact.

all the best!

Hi there, can also please send me Gordon's rates and contact?
I can't PM as I'm still new!

 

[kaexanne]

Anyone needs a PDI at ubi?
Both of my friends passed at 1st attempt.

He teaches manual using Nissan sunny , mon-sun, teaches til night.
You have to meet him at the coffeeshop outside ubi.
Basically, he teaches you stage by stage, u-turn- filter lane - right turn- main road u-turn - parking - circuit.
He can converse well in Mandarin and English.
He have good teaching techniques for every stage in circuit. Step by step method, usually can get the hang of it within 2~3 circuit lesson.
He is usually fully aware of your mistake in circuit, for example turning too slowly, positioning mistake etc.

However, he do scold. but won't nag, as long as you acknowledge your mistake.
He will be very attentive if you are new learner, guiding step by step. Timing for clutching in, braking, accelerating, signal etc.

If you are really good and ready, you can book your tp on the 3rd or 5th lesson. By the 12th lessons, you can enter the circuit.

I think he charges $28/hr.

Do PM me if you think he's suitable for your learning style.

Hi there could you pass me his contact and name please? Can't pm as I'm new!

 

[M_virgo]

Like finally after searching high and low, asking for PDIs contact no, i found one, which is highly recommended by most of u in this forum. Starting this coming 4th july. Wish me luck. Hope he turns out to be like the recommendations. First thing i ask when he ans the call is, "do u speak english." When he says, "yes", was such a relieve.

Mr Frankie is my PDI.

 

[putrasocool]

Tmrw is my TP guis... Wish me luck!!

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[twocupsoflatte]

Hi... Anyone been with Cathay Driving Centre before? Any reviews is appreciated. Call them up and found out its quite ex. Been reading this forum for quite some time and i see some of the lessons is $45 per 1.5hrs but at Cathay is $51. Circuit is $100. If can recommend a cheaper PDI near east area also can. Preferred strict, patient and english speaking. TIA

I'm *currently* with Cathay! I'm learning with Mr Ang for 3A! I've already cleared quite a number of lessons. They seem very comprehensive as they have 3 sections. They touch on a closed controlled environment as the first section. It's conducted at the truck carpark behind. Second, road behavior and third, circuit. I've not been to the circuit yet.

Mr Ang is friendly and doesn't really scold, is very patient and will make small talks. Moreover, his passing rates is 58.62%, out of 29 tested.

Hope this helps!

 

[geeniee]

Just dropping in to ask if my instructor's rates are not too high:

$54/1.5 hours for off peak, $57 for peak. Pick-up at Aljunied.

I am kind of confused because I am seeing some of you going as low as $20+ for one hour?

edit: Also wanna ask - do you all wait for your instructor to prompt you to get a test date or should I take the initiative to take it myself and let him know of the date instead?

Currently just done with my 6th lesson with him, almost every lesson is just parking which I can understand why, but wondering roughly when is a good point to move on to driving test routes and circuit.

I have personally taken almost 20 over lessons with another instructor last year, dropped out at the very last minute (2 weeks before PT) as he was very discouraging. Most importantly, he kept mentioning that I will confirm fail, which then made me snap out of it and not throw another few hundred dollars to get a fail and let him mock at me.

 

[BlurKillerEX]

Just dropping in to ask if my instructor's rates are not too high:

$54/1.5 hours for off peak, $57 for peak. Pick-up at Aljunied.

I am kind of confused because I am seeing some of you going as low as $20+ for one hour?

edit: Also wanna ask - do you all wait for your instructor to prompt you to get a test date or should I take the initiative to take it myself and let him know of the date instead?

Currently just done with my 6th lesson with him, almost every lesson is just parking which I can understand why, but wondering roughly when is a good point to move on to driving test routes and circuit.

I have personally taken almost 20 over lessons with another instructor last year, dropped out at the very last minute (2 weeks before PT) as he was very discouraging. Most importantly, he kept mentioning that I will confirm fail, which then made me snap out of it and not throw another few hundred dollars to get a fail and let him mock at me.

for myself, I have a set date to attain my driving license. So after a few practice I requested to book the test already. But it also depends on your instructor, if he think's you're not ready he won't let you book(he needs to give you his NRIC for you to book test date).

 

[tuzantar]

Any reliable pdi teaches manual at bbdc? Pls recommend thx

 

[Iloveham]

Hello it's not ex actually. Mines worse $57 for 1.5 hours. And I have the opposite problem from you. My instructor just makes me drive round and round Ubi practising turns and says I'm driving well.. But he's not teaching me parking at all which is what I'm most worried about..

Just dropping in to ask if my instructor's rates are not too high:

$54/1.5 hours for off peak, $57 for peak. Pick-up at Aljunied.

I am kind of confused because I am seeing some of you going as low as $20+ for one hour?

edit: Also wanna ask - do you all wait for your instructor to prompt you to get a test date or should I take the initiative to take it myself and let him know of the date instead?

Currently just done with my 6th lesson with him, almost every lesson is just parking which I can understand why, but wondering roughly when is a good point to move on to driving test routes and circuit.

I have personally taken almost 20 over lessons with another instructor last year, dropped out at the very last minute (2 weeks before PT) as he was very discouraging. Most importantly, he kept mentioning that I will confirm fail, which then made me snap out of it and not throw another few hundred dollars to get a fail and let him mock at me.

 

[geeniee]

for myself, I have a set date to attain my driving license. So after a few practice I requested to book the test already. But it also depends on your instructor, if he think's you're not ready he won't let you book(he needs to give you his NRIC for you to book test date).

So I should raise a request? I tried testing waters after the lesson and asked if I continue at my pace, when can I get a test date. He casually replied "a few more lessons". I think I will probably probe him a bit more in the coming lessons.

Hello it's not ex actually. Mines worse $57 for 1.5 hours. And I have the opposite problem from you. My instructor just makes me drive round and round Ubi practising turns and says I'm driving well.. But he's not teaching me parking at all which is what I'm most worried about..

I am not sure what's the standard practice as my previous instructor (apparently one of the top PIs for CDC in terms of passing rate) just made me drive long the roads for several lessons before allowing me to advance to circuit and things kinda went downhill from there. He did not teach me parking in a random carpark at all, unlike my current instructor, and I also did not know back then that they were supposed to do so.

My only conclusion is that my previous instructor teaches students how to pass the test, while my previous instructor teaches students how to drive. Eventually for my previous instructor, parking was literally taught only during circuits where you have very limited time with each component. He expected me to follow his step-by-step method which he says confirm will work, but I feel that in driving a lot of factors can result in varying success. For example, the speed that I turn the steering wheel, sometimes I turn a bit too early or too late and therefore resulting in the car being slanted or even hitting the kerb despite following his method. End up every lessons also very stressful as each step has to be super precise and his opinion of me got worst with every lesson.

So based on my experience, I highly suggest you ask him to teach you parking, or ask him if he is the type that teach you parking only in circuit. If he is the second type, please just change away asap as you won't get to learn how to park properly. Sure, you can pass the TP, but not parking a car in a real lot itself.

 

[Iloveham]

Oh no he is the kind who will only teach parking in circuit because I asked him on my first lesson. He said practising parking elsewhere is illegal... where does your current instructor let you practise parking?

So I should raise a request? I tried testing waters after the lesson and asked if I continue at my pace, when can I get a test date. He casually replied "a few more lessons". I think I will probably probe him a bit more in the coming lessons.



I am not sure what's the standard practice as my previous instructor (apparently one of the top PIs for CDC in terms of passing rate) just made me drive long the roads for several lessons before allowing me to advance to circuit and things kinda went downhill from there. He did not teach me parking in a random carpark at all, unlike my current instructor, and I also did not know back then that they were supposed to do so.

My only conclusion is that my previous instructor teaches students how to pass the test, while my previous instructor teaches students how to drive. Eventually for my previous instructor, parking was literally taught only during circuits where you have very limited time with each component. He expected me to follow his step-by-step method which he says confirm will work, but I feel that in driving a lot of factors can result in varying success. For example, the speed that I turn the steering wheel, sometimes I turn a bit too early or too late and therefore resulting in the car being slanted or even hitting the kerb despite following his method. End up every lessons also very stressful as each step has to be super precise and his opinion of me got worst with every lesson.

So based on my experience, I highly suggest you ask him to teach you parking, or ask him if he is the type that teach you parking only in circuit. If he is the second type, please just change away asap as you won't get to learn how to park properly. Sure, you can pass the TP, but not parking a car in a real lot itself.