Rachel Flenley (Passed @ Winchester, 17/1/2012)
"Relying on a dodgy public transport service gets irritating very quickly, so I decided that it was high time I learnt to drive. Sam has been absolutely wonderful. Encouraging, funny and amazingly patient, she made me feel confident about my driving and was kind enough to put up with my random stories. I would recommend her absolutely, to anyone wanting to learn to drive. It is thanks to her that I can now bid late buses and cancelled trains good riddance!"
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Frances Smith (Passed @ Winchester, 19/12/2011)
Sam is a wonderful driving instructor; she is always calm and never gets angry and I always looked forward to my lessons with her. She explains everything clearly and is always happy to go over points as many times as necessary. Sam is dedicated to her job and quickly helps you to feel confident when driving, she is always friendly and I really recommend her to anyone looking for lessons.
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Mike Lydon (Passed @ Winchester, 15/12/2011)
Having spent many years avoiding my driving test after failing it 25 years ago I finally took the plunge and began learning again with Sam. I honestly never thought I'd pass my test and had resigned myself to a life of trains, taxis and buses. However pretty soon after beginning with Sam I actually started to believe that I could pass. I quickly realised it wasn't so much the techniques I was lacking in as the belief that I could actually pass my test. Sam pretty quickly put me straight on this and I passed first time with her. She has the patience of a saint and that rare ability to instil confidence and belief. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
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Emily Magennis-Prior (Passed @ Winchester, 15/11/2011)
"If you are worried about driving or are a nervous driver then all those worries will totally dissapear when your are in the car with Sam. She is such a friendly and patient driving instructor, who explains everything clearly and calmly, I never once felt under pressure or nervous in any of my lessons with her. Sam has such a bubbly personality , she is so easy to get along with therefore makes the lessons much easier and way more enjoyable! I know I can go to Sam with any questions or queries I have, shes amazing, a friend for life! I owe you so much Sam.. thankyou!x"
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Sarah Chakraborty (Passed @ Winchester, 17/10/2011)
"When my confidence to drive was at an all time low and I thought I might just stop trying to learn to drive all together a friend recommended Sam Watson. Not only did she make me feel at ease straight away she explained in a clear and precise way how to drive while all the while encouraging my confidence and gently correcting any mistakes made. Her car is a dream to drive and is always very clean, smart and tidy. My lessons became something to look forward to on a Saturday morning, Sam was always on time and very accommodating as to when I could book my lessons. I would have no hesitation in recommending Sam to anyone wanting to learn to drive and wish her every success in the future. "
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Alex Illsley (Passed @ Winchester, 5/8/2011)
"Sam is an excellent driving instructor, she is truly dedicated to her job and getting you to pass your test. After having an experience with another instructor, I can say she is by far the best! She is very knowledgeable of her subject and well organized. She is also a very friendly and caring person. I passed my driving test first time and I certainly would not have been able to achieve that without her."
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Sam Leckie (Passed @ Winchester, 21/7/2011)
"Sam is fantastic instructor, from the word go she made me feel very comfortable and confident in what I was doing, although driving was completely new to me, I never felt put under pressure to get it right first time and she always made me feel good about myself even when I did something wrong. She has such a likeable, friendly and bubbly personality and is really easy going, much like myself, so we got on fantastically which when it comes to driving, being comfortable and relaxed is an important aspect. Sam was really accommodating when it came to arranging lesson times (or test times) and it was never too much trouble to shift lessons if I couldn't make it, also she was very flexible when it came to being picked up from various locations which made it easier especially around college times. Driving was my relaxation time during the week, I looked forward to the break from college work and being able to just chill out, having a good chat and comfortable driving lesson and without her I definitely would not have passed first time! I can't wait to go on and do pass plus with her as I know it will be just as great as my lessons were. Thank you Sam, you're the best!!"
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Jemma Percy (Passed @ Winchester, 19/5/2011)
"Having previously not felt comfortable with other instructors, I got in contact with Sam who was "more than happy to help". She catered specifically to my requirements and never failed to impress me! Not only is she a dedicated, patient and caring instructor but has a bubbly and warm personality to match. I never dreaded my lessons and always felt comfortable! I couldn't have passed first time if it wasn't for Sam and would highly recommend her to anyone! Thank you so much for being such a great friend and instructor! "
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Kirsty Trudgill (Passed @ Winchester, 12/5/2011
"Sam was an amazing driving teacher, she never shouted and always went through things calmly. Sam was the first driving teacher I had and to be honest I wouldn't of changed, always on time, always enjoyable lessons and she made things simple. I felt very comfortable driving with Sam and she could calm me down straight away if i got worked up. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for stress free enjoyable lessons. Thanks Sam :)"
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Nikki Parnell (Passed @ Winchester, 4/5/2011)
"In the past I had many bad experiences with driving instructors, I really didn’t enjoy driving at all, and dreaded having lessons. As soon as I had my first lesson with Sam I instantly felt comfortable with her and quickly began to love driving, I would look forward to my lessons and especially having a good chat with Sam as we were driving. She is such a fantastic instructor and I am so grateful for all her guidance and help. I will recommend her to anyone who is looking for lessons."
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Owain Masters (Passed @ Winchester, 6/4/2011)
"I was a very nervous driver having already failed two tests. I had given up for several years when I decided to try again. Sam dramatically improved my driving and built my confidence so that by the time of my third test I felt very comfortable in a car. We focused on my weak areas as well as all round driving practice. Sam is personable and sociable, being serious when neccessary and I would recommend her."
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John Hannah
“Sam has a very friendly manner which puts you at ease throughout your lessons, and makes it easy for you to gain confidence even in the early stages when you may be feeling nervous. Sam always explained things with patience and understanding, and she was always there to give me the extra push if I needed it. I would, and have recommended Sam to both family and friends.”
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Jane Lawes (Passed @ Winchester, 10/2/2011)
"I am a very nervous person by nature and driving for me meant independence. After experience with two different instructors I still wasn’t comfortable going more than 10mph. I thought that maybe driving wasn’t for me, then my fiancé begged me to just give it one more try, one random internet search later I found Sam and it all changed. Sam allowed me to take my time and get comfortable in the driving seat but she still gently pushed me when I needed it, all the while keeping up a friendly and encouraging chat. This was a winning combination for me, here I am less than 6 months later a fully qualified driver with the confidence to be out there doing it on my own, next stop anywhere I want, thank you Sam."
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Jonnie Harding (Passed @ Winchester, 7/12/2010)
"Any worries i had before starting to drive were gone as soon as i got into the car with Sam. She made me feel instantly at ease and explained everything perfectly. Sams lessons were well structured and were adapted to suit what i needed to improve on rather than what i could already do, which made me feel that none of my time or money was wasted. We went out on a few different routes and would always have a chat about something so the lessons never got boring. Thankfully i passed first time and i put this all down to Sams lessons as i had no other means of practicing. When it came to the day of the test i was not that nervous as i knew Sam had taught me everything i needed to know and i knew how to do it all. Thanks again Sam for getting me through it and i hope to see you on the roads :)"
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Michael Andrews (Passed @ Winchester, 22/11/2010)
"For some, learning to drive can be a long, tedious and sometimes disheartening task. Not for me however. Me and Sam got along like good friends rather than teacher and pupil. And this made the whole experience much more enjoyable and gave me the confidence to pass my test first time without panic. As my test date drew closer, I recall losing confidence in myself and I was more prepared to fail than pass. However, Sam gave me the confidence I needed and constantly reassured me that I would do fine! And I did with 4 minors, which is really good!
I have no doubt that I would have done worse with another instructor on my test, if not failed. This is because a lot of instructors give you exact instructions and do not let you learn for yourself, which means when the unexpected occurs on your test (and it does often) you will not know how to react safely. Sam teaches you to think logically. She teaches you to identify your own mistakes, and how to correct them. Safe driving relies on common sense a logical thinking. That is why when you make a mistake, Sam will explain what you have done and why it is bad. Other instructors will just say "Oh you forgot to indicate at the third exit" or "You didn't check your right blind spot". Sam will explain why it is necessary to do these things, making you understand and respect these procedures.
Sam is also very open to questions and discussion. If you do not understand something, you can just ask! Also, if you (like me) think you are never wrong, you can discuss your opinion with Sam and better understand why you are actually wrong and then (like me) make up excuses as to why you made a mistake! "The sign was wrong" or "other people do it!" are old favourites! Now, you can probably tell I am joking around a bit here, which is good because it shows how you can easily have a laugh with Sam on lessons. I don't recall ever having a dull lesson with Sam. In fact, when I passed my test I was both happy and sad. I was happy because I could drive anywhere I wanted! But I was sad because my new insurance premium was sky high, but also because I wouldn't be able to have any more enjoyable lessons with Sam.
Although I'm an ex-student, I still see Sam every now and again and we always give each other a wave. We're friends after all!"
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Jack Kirby (Passed @ Farnborough, 1/10/2010)
"Sam is a very good driving instructor. She makes lessons enjoyable and even though she is teaching, the lessons are fun and she makes you feel at ease.
This makes learning to drive a great experience. I passed first time which is a credit to Sam."
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Stewart Palmer
"I was very apprehensive when it came to learning to drive hence i had put it off until i was 33 after a bad experience when i was 18. Thankfully Sam at Alton Driving School was calm and collected at all times taking any stress out of the whole experience, she even managed to make the lessons an enjoyable event. I have now passed and feel confident and self assured behind the wheel and am enjoying the freedom of driving. I can only highly recommend Sam Watson and Alton Driving School."
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Charlie Plumb
“Like many other young people, I wanted to past my driving test as quickly as possible. After having lessons and disputes with another instructor in the Alton area I decided to change to Sam. My test was booked and I was nowhere near prepared for it. Sam identified areas in which I needed to practice to pass first time and gave me the confidence and reasons as to why I needed to practice those specific manouvres. Sam is a very warm and caring person and has the sense of humour to match, I have every confidence in Sam’s ability to teach and always recommend her to younger friends that are seeking instruction. After passing my test first time, I returned to Sam to complete my Pass Plus which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend it to any new driver.”
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