No Gears Automatic Driving SchoolReviews 

235
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.5

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had James Keefe as my driving instructor and would highly recommend him. James takes a thorough and structured approach to his lessons, which not only helped me feel well prepared for my te... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I got James keefe after losing a lot of confidence doing manual but learning to drive with james really helped me get my confidence back and pass first time he gives great feedback and is really nic... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Do not book any lessons with these morons!! One of them has just performed a dangerous overtake. Firstly braking the speed limit and secondly going over hatched markings in the middle of the road, oh... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

James Stevenage James is honestly the best instructor i have ever had. I used James's services for the first time and he was able to drill into every one of my driving faults i was making subconsc... See more

Company details

  1. Driving School

Written by the company

We are a family run national automatic driving school with fully qualified experienced driving instructors located in many towns and cities through out the UK. Customer satisfaction is very important to use which is why we invite all of our pupils, at the end of their No Gears training, to give us feedback via our Pupil Questionnaire Program which is located on our website.


Contact info

4.5

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

235 reviews

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4.5

All reviews

(235)

17 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you James Keefe!

I had James Keefe as my driving instructor and would highly recommend him.

James takes a thorough and structured approach to his lessons, which not only helped me feel well prepared for my test but also made driving feel safer and easier.

He always encourages driving in a way that keeps you safe and confident on the road. As someone who initially wasn't the most confident driver, I can't thank James enough for helping me build that confidence. One thing that really stuck with me was his idea of creating a "safety bubble" around the car. It was a really helpful way of thinking about driving and made me feel much more at ease. I'd also recommend James to any parents who are nervous about their children learning to drive because safety is clearly his top priority.

James also has a great sense of humour and builds a good relationship with his students. He makes lessons enjoyable while still being firm about bad habits and the importance of driving safely. It's clear that he genuinely cares about his students and wants them to become safe, confident drivers.

Thank you, James, for not only helping me pass my test but also for giving me the confidence to trust myself when driving independently.

June 28, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

demotivating, time wasting tactics - No gears Oldham instructor

Unprofessional Behaviour: I have experienced rude and demotivating conduct that has caused me significant distress and made me feel unsafe during lessons.

Time-Wasting Tactics: The instruction has frequently lacked focus, leading to what I consider to be unnecessary delays in my progress.

Last-Minute Cancellation: Most significantly, I was instructed not to appear for my scheduled driving test only the evening before for a 8am test . This short notice gave me no chance to cancel or reschedule through the DVSA without losing my fee.

March 12, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I got James keefe after losing a lot of…

I got James keefe after losing a lot of confidence doing manual but learning to drive with james really helped me get my confidence back and pass first time he gives great feedback and is really nice

I really recommend him to any new drivers

May 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

James

James
Stevenage

James is honestly the best instructor i have ever had. I used James's services for the first time and he was able to drill into every one of my driving faults i was making subconsciously. The other best thing about James is his humour, making driving lessons enjoyable and stress-free. Would highly recommend!

April 29, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

James in Stevenage

I started lessons with James only two months before my test, and the experience was great (passed first time)!

He doesn't just teach you how to tick a few boxes on exam day and pass, instead he focuses on making you a safe, confident driver, which naturally makes passing the test much easier.

He takes the responsibility of his job seriously and genuinely cares about his pupils' safety on the road. I also really appreciated the practical advice he shared which helps you in the long run, even after passing your test such as fuel-efficient driving and protecting your tyres by avoiding dry steering.

April 14, 2026
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very good automatic driving school and instructor

It was a pleasure to have an instructor like James as he pushed me to be the best I can and made sure I passed first time, I couldn't have asked for much more out of him especially with the amount of help he gave me and I would highly recommend doing no gears if your local

April 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Akbar - Highly recommend!!!

I’ve just passed my driving test, and I can confidently say that Akbar has been the best instructor I’ve had. I’ve worked with multiple teachers before, but none matched his level of patience, clarity, and professionalism.

What really stood out was how calm and composed he remained, even when I made mistakes. Instead of getting frustrated, he explained things clearly and helped me understand exactly what I needed to improve. His teaching style made me feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel, which made a huge difference in my progress.

He breaks things down in a simple, easy-to-understand way and focuses on building your confidence as well as your driving ability. Thanks to him, I not only passed my test but also feel like a safe and capable driver going forward.

I would highly recommend Akbar to anyone learning to drive—especially if you’re looking for someone patient, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping you succeed.

April 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I went to call for my daughters driving…

I went to call for my daughters driving lessons.The person that picked up the call had no professionalism you could hear laughing and sniggering in the background which felt hostile.Then they immediately cut the call with no explanation whatsoever.Then my daughter went to call,thinking surely they didn’t mean to be that rude,the same exact thing happened to her,again more laughing and no explanation. How unbelievably rude!!! I would not recommend,horrendous customer service you can clearly see they had no interest in their job as they didn’t try to engage or help.This happened Wednesday 25th March 3:50.Sort your customer service team out

March 25, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Akki :) (Akbar)

I've been learning to drive for over a few years now with various instructors and have never felt truly comfortable with any of them. I first met Akki a few weeks ago and he put me at ease straight away; I knew I had a good chance at passing my test. Akki is a brilliant instructor. He's patient, kind, funny and it was a privilege to be able to learn to drive with him. I passed first time today and would like to thank Akki for giving me the confidence I didn't think I had to enable me to do so. He succeeded where many have failed. Lauren C x

March 18, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Steve who covers Rickmansworth/Watford

Steve who covers Rickmansworth/Watford is a brilliant instructor. After giving up my manual lessons years ago, I was nervous to get back in the car. Steve put my nerves at ease from the first lesson, and I actually looked forward to having my lessons each week! When arranging my lessons the customer service was also great and got me booked in quickly. Thank you so much for helping me get my 1st time pass!

March 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Alan Smithson is absolutely fantastic

Alan Smithson is absolutely fantastic! His kindness, patience, and constant support make a huge difference. He listens carefully and prioritizes your success without rushing, ensuring everything is practiced to perfection. Thanks to his guidance, I passed my test on the first try with just a single minor error at the Bishops Stortford test center.

January 6, 2026
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I highly recommend my driving…

I highly recommend my driving instructor James Keefe who is very patient, caring, and truly dedicated to his job. He explains everything clearly and makes sure you really understand how to drive safely and correctly. He can be a bit strict, but that’s because he genuinely wants his students to succeed and pass their driving test. You can tell that he loves what he does, and his guidance really helps you gain confidence on the road.

December 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Akbar was my third instructor

Akbar was my third instructor. I had failed twice with two different instructors. After 20 lessons I passed on my first attempt with him.

Akbar instilled the confidence I was missing and always remained calm and professional. He constantly reassured me reducing my nerves and anxiety. Thank you always!!!

November 4, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Andy !!!

I would like to extend a big thank you to Andy from No Gears No Fears for helping me achieve my goal of getting on the road with confidence. From the very first lesson, Andy demonstrated exceptional professionalism. His approach was not only thorough but also patient, ensuring that I understood each concept clearly.
Andy has an incredible ability to make complex driving techniques seem simple and manageable. His calm demeanor and clear explanations eased my nerves, turning what could have been a stressful experience into an enjoyable learning journey.
Throughout my learning process, Andy provided consistent encouragement and support. His positive and constructive feedback boosted my confidence significantly. He was always quick to acknowledge my progress, which motivated me to keep improving.
Overall learning to drive with Andy was a fantastic experience. I felt well-prepared for my driving test and comfortable behind the wheel thanks to his guidance. If you're looking for a driving instructor who is knowledgeable, supportive, and patient, I highly recommend Andy from No Gears No Fears.
Thank you, Andy, for your dedication and for helping me become a confident driver!

July 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

passed first time !

James is a great and super clear instructor! I passed first time with barely any minors in my own car. He gives out sheets with explanatory drawings of the manoeuvres and acronyms to understand better in your spare time, which is super helpful; going above and beyond.
Would recommend

August 18, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

James from Stevenage is Phenomenal

James from No Gears Stevenage. He is a absolutely phenomenal instructor. For someone who started to learn in Manual and had their confidence shattered, James did more than restore my confidence in driving! His patience, his coaching and his sense of humour made every lesson enjoyable. Driving along solo, I still vividly remember everything he told me the day of my test, which definitely proved a difference maker! But keep it stupidly simple! 🤣

May 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

James

James is an excellent instructor, he helped me pass first try he's very patient and friendly and I absolutely recommend him!

April 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

High recommendation for James Keefe No Gears Automatic Driving School

James Keefe from No Gears Automatic Driving School Stevenage has helped me so much to become a brilliant safe and defensive driver. Could not thank him enough for the time, effort and dedication he put into to making me the best driver i can possible be. I now have the confidence and pleasure to drive safely onto the roads without any fear. If anyone were to ask me for any recommendations for driving instructors, i would not hesitate one bit to recommend James. He has done everything he can to help me pass and it has worked.

May 19, 2025
Unprompted review

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