Reliable Private Driving Instructor?

[Kiwily]

I know many years have passed but I'd still like to reply to this thread. So basically I also went to Cathay Driving Centre, learning under a PDI called Mr Tan (I think they have several Mr Tan so not sure if we had the same one. My instructor is Mr Tan Kim Hoon). It's my first time learning driving and I think he's a terrible instructor. To be fair, he starts lesson pretty on time, rarely takes toilet break. He will end lesson about 10 min early usually. But my issue with him is that he always seems to put down the students. I took many lessons with him and every lesson he would say "you should be improving with every lesson, but you seem to be getting worse and worse". Now that is not true. He did, on one or two (very rare) occasions say that my driving skills is improving, but in most cases he talks to the student in an extremely disparaging and impatient tone. I'm not kidding but some lessons really felt like a mental abuse. If you make a mistake accidentally, he'd go on and on about how you're not following his instructions. If you wait for his instructions, he ask why you can't have some initiative, that if you always wait for his instructions you'll 'never' learn how to drive. But if you don't wait for his instructions, and do something wrong, he'll ask why are you acting before waiting for his instructions. It was an extremely frustrating process and I feel that my confidence in driving is getting lower and lower. Anyway I'm taking my exam next week. At this point, all I can think is 'What's the worst that can happen? I just fail only mah'. And if I fail, I will definitely not go back. It was an utter waste of money.

 

[rojak1234]

Pdi

Hi. I have pdi instructors to recommend in CDC.

Lady instructor teaching manual. Wait at Eunos mrt.

Male instructor teaching Auto. Wait at Hougang mrt.

PM for details!

 

[Idme231]

Mean after I pay this $561.75 . I still have to pay him $66 every lesson.
This $561.75 just for him to pay circuit at CDC

Never pay something you never receive. The use of circuit must pay, but where got so expensive one.

 

[Idme231]

I know many years have passed but I'd still like to reply to this thread. So basically I also went to Cathay Driving Centre, learning under a PDI called Mr Tan (I think they have several Mr Tan so not sure if we had the same one. My instructor is Mr Tan Kim Hoon). It's my first time learning driving and I think he's a terrible instructor. To be fair, he starts lesson pretty on time, rarely takes toilet break. He will end lesson about 10 min early usually. But my issue with him is that he always seems to put down the students. I took many lessons with him and every lesson he would say "you should be improving with every lesson, but you seem to be getting worse and worse". Now that is not true. He did, on one or two (very rare) occasions say that my driving skills is improving, but in most cases he talks to the student in an extremely disparaging and impatient tone. I'm not kidding but some lessons really felt like a mental abuse. If you make a mistake accidentally, he'd go on and on about how you're not following his instructions. If you wait for his instructions, he ask why you can't have some initiative, that if you always wait for his instructions you'll 'never' learn how to drive. But if you don't wait for his instructions, and do something wrong, he'll ask why are you acting before waiting for his instructions. It was an extremely frustrating process and I feel that my confidence in driving is getting lower and lower. Anyway I'm taking my exam next week. At this point, all I can think is 'What's the worst that can happen? I just fail only mah'. And if I fail, I will definitely not go back. It was an utter waste of money.

I had thoughts to going there too to take private, but lucky i didnt, got a instructor who uses his heart and time to teach me to dtive.

 

[kero89]

Anybody can recommend a refresher course instructor? Currently only checked woodlands driving school

$360 for auto, 3 sessions of 2 hours each and registration, $300 for manual. Lazy so I'm just gonna refresh auto.

TIA!

 

[swanpeach]

I got. The whole. Of April. Free. So csn learn drivinf. Is it doable? Budget is 1.5 k.. School at woodland is easy?

 

[rojak1234]

School not fexible.
Instructors always change.
Booking of next slot is 2 months later.

 

[Idme231]

I got. The whole. Of April. Free. So csn learn drivinf. Is it doable? Budget is 1.5 k.. School at woodland is easy?

Private lorh. one month where can pass? unless you got do driving before and confident wor. book test also dk when can.

 

[ping56]

Booking of the practical test is by the instructor or ourselves? When can book? Must pass FTT first ?

 

[rojak1234]

Booking of the practical test is by the instructor or ourselves? When can book? Must pass FTT first ?

Instructor can book for u.
If u are good, then 1.5 month later. If not, later maybe 2 or 3 months. Cuz no good, take test sure fail. Tester will blame instructor too that y the student such driving skills still take test. Haha.

And Yes, need FTT to book TP.

 

[nopores]

I have great pdi to recommend.

Hey, can you pm me the info? I would really appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

 

[rojak1234]

looking for auto pdi @ cdc. if have good recommendations, please pm me their name and number please!!

also, what is the main difference between going to a pdi or school trainer, understand that the per hour rate seems relatively comparable.

Driving school vs Private Driving Instructor:

Private Driving Instructor:
- Fixed instructor throughout. Lessons will progress according to your learning speed. If you are a fast learner, you might spend less on lessons and graduate more quickly.
- Same car to take test.
- Flexible slots.
- Last minute booking.
- There's no minimum lessons to take before you are allowed to go for test.
- pick up and drop off can be arranged at nearby mrt stations

Driving School:
- 2 months later then there's available slots for driving lessons.
- Since the driving instructors are also on a rotational basis, you have to take lessons with a different instructor every week who might not be familiar with your progress.
- There's a minimum lessons u have to attend before u can take practical test.
- Cancellation of driving lessons will be charged at $6 per cancellation.
- Meet up usually at the driving centre
- Have to go through redundant lessons like the auto lesson for those getting a manual licence, and the driving simulator.

 

[Idme231]

Driving school vs Private Driving Instructor:

Private Driving Instructor:
- Fixed instructor throughout. Lessons will progress according to your learning speed. If you are a fast learner, you might spend less on lessons and graduate more quickly.
- Same car to take test.
- Flexible slots.
- Last minute booking.
- There's no minimum lessons to take before you are allowed to go for test.
- pick up and drop off can be arranged at nearby mrt stations

Driving School:
- 2 months later then there's available slots for driving lessons.
- Since the driving instructors are also on a rotational basis, you have to take lessons with a different instructor every week who might not be familiar with your progress.
- There's a minimum lessons u have to attend before u can take practical test.
- Cancellation of driving lessons will be charged at $6 per cancellation.
- Meet up usually at the driving centre
- Have to go through redundant lessons like the auto lesson for those getting a manual licence, and the driving simulator.

For private instructor, if he suddenly have reasons to cancel your lessons even after you came... the instructor might even return some money and charge you a lesser price for the next lesson. My instructor did that.

And my instructor booked my test before my PDL expiry and before i start my final lessons on roads and circuits.

For school , if the instructor is sick, someone will takeover.
The theory lessons is entitled for school only for those who failed his/her BTT once.

 

[ping56]

Anyone can Intro any good private driving instructors at ubi?? Or actually all r roughly about the same ?

 

[silvermlk]

Anyone can Intro any good private driving instructors at ubi?? Or actually all r roughly about the same ?

hi all, please pm me too for good private driving instructor for auto car at ubi!

 

[blu_black]

who got intro for 3A at BBDC?

 

[mxrcuslg]

I have great pdi to recommend.

Hi, can I have the pdi number?

 

[mxrcuslg]

Hey there, I’m a new user so I’m still unable to pm you, could you please pm me Uncle Gordon’s contact? Sorry for the trouble and thanks in advance!

Hi, can pm me Uncle Gordon’s number too?

 

[mxrcuslg]

Hi. I have pdi instructors to recommend in CDC.

Lady instructor teaching manual. Wait at Eunos mrt.

Male instructor teaching Auto. Wait at Hougang mrt.

PM for details!

Can I get the auto PDI number too? Thanks!!

 

[mxrcuslg]

Hi all. I just passed my driving test today (First attempt!). Kena one of the infamous "terrible" testers but I managed to pass with 16 demerit points (all anyhow give one).

Proof pic!


Anyway would sincerely recommend my PDI. Let me share my experience with my fellow HWZers.

I was recommended by a friend to engage Mr Lee Liak Hong to learn Auto driving. He teaches both Auto and Manual but prefers to teach Auto. His car is a chrome toyota and is very clean and well maintained. Now his charges are higher than the average fees from other PDIs but it's DAMN worth it. You pay for the quality. (Read on...)

Basically, he is the down-to-earth kinda instructor who is very patient and attentive in teaching. (Never sleep/doze off on the job) He will not scold or raise voice at you even if you make grave mistakes (+1 as you know how terrible a student will feel if kena F for every mistake).
One particular incident I will never forget was during my initial stages of learning. I made too wide a turn that almost hit the car turning behind. He pulled the steering wheel and didn't say a word. After the car was out of danger, he told me to slowly go to the side of the road and stop. He explained very calmly about my mistake and the dangers, and went through with me what I did wrong and what I should have done. I was really scared but impressed with his teaching methods. The way he teaches is very reassuring and honestly, makes you feel confident in driving.

Every lesson is a relaxed atmosphere. Not those tense, kanchiong type. He will not waste your time asking you do stupid things. Every lesson you sure learn something new and he will correct your mistakes. He is also very flexible and accommodating to your changes (even last minute ones). MOST IMPORTANTLY, he is VERY well mannered!

Before your actual driving test, he will usually schedule a circuit and road lesson on the same day to give you a very thorough "pre-test" course. He will also give you a map of the circuit and tell you to look through it before every circuit lesson.

From his record, most of his students pass on the first if not second try. Many students also jump from school/other instructors to him so his schedule is always packed. So must arrange subsequent lessons in advance.

Summary
Name: Mr Lee Liak Hong (PM me for his contact. I am always active and will respond to all PMs)
Location: Comfort Delgro Driving Centre (Ubi, meet up point at the coffee shop outside the school)
Car: Toyota (Chrome colour think is camry or axio)
Charges: $32 weekdays. $34 weekends & PH
Total sessions: 20+ sessions including minimum of 6 circuits. (Each session can be 1 to 1.5hr)

My total learning fees under him
Registration fee: $50 (standard fee)
25 sessions including 6 circuits: $1,289
Total lesson hours: 36.5hrs
Test vehicle rental fee: $180 (This includes the vehicle insurance)
Total: $1,519

Really appreciate his efforts to helping me pass on the 1st TRY!
You can quote me (Roy) if you wish to contact him!

Hi! Can you pm me his contact? Thanks!