Hi, my name is Robin Samuels and I'm a fully qualified, DSA approved driving instructor (ADI).
I live just outside of Milford Haven and also cover the areas around Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.
Before moving to the local area I worked at the Defence Police College and was a Royal Military Police Driver Training instructor. I'm patient, friendly and, most importantly, I really like my job.
I'm happy to teach people with any level of experience, from those who have never been in the driving seat before to those who just need a little tidying up to achieve test standard.
If you've already passed, then I can take you through the Pass Plus course recommended by the DSA, it's a great way to get extra experience and qualify for insurance discounts. Not all instructors are Pass Plus registered, but I've never met one who doesn't recommend taking the Pass Plus course. After all, insurance companies don't give discounts away for something that doesn't actually help to reduce accidents.
If you passed some time ago but haven't driven for a while, or maybe you have a non-uk licence, then I can give you refresher lessons and cover anything you feel unhappy with, such as motorways.
I always aim to be as honest with my pupils as possible, I WILL NOT tell you that you are not ready for test if you are, but then again I don't put people in for test if they are not ready. Some instructors throw pupils at the test as soon as they think that on a really good day, with very good luck, they might just pass - does this sound how you want to pass your test? I don't believe in relying on luck, it's not safe for you, the examiner, my reputation and, above all, everyone else on the road. Also, with the cost of a driving test these days, plus 2 hours of lesson and car use on the day of of your test, this costs you nearly £100 - money far better spent on a few more lessons to achieve a first time pass.
As a member of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), I am covered by professional indemnity insurance to £3 million and Public liability insurance to £5 million. You also have the peace of mind knowing that I am kept up to date on all the latest teaching methods and DSA requirements. I am also studying with them towards a Diploma in Driving Instruction (DipDi), a university recognised qualification. After all, we all can learn new ways of doing things and I don't like to always rely on old methods and tecniques.
Pass rates are not a very accurate way of assessing how good an individual instructor is, they make no allowance for, for example, nervous pupils, but for the record my pass rates for the last 3 years were:
2005 - 55%
2006 - 65%
2007 - 58%
In 2004/05 Haverfordwest test centre pass rate was 42.1% and Pembroke Dock 47.5%. In 2005/06 these figures were 47.1% and 44.3%. The DSA website quotes a national average of 42.3%.
In 2007, 64% of those people who passed their test with me passed first time, 30% second time and 6% third time. I am proud of these rates and believe they justify my belief in waiting till a pupil is really ready for the test. The DSA's motto is "Safe Driving For Life" and I believe this is the only way to teach people to drive on today's roads.
