Rachel

Bev at Buckland Driving School is a calm and patient instructor for automatic vehicles - just what I needed as an overseas driver who needed to pass the UK practical driver's license exam. When it came to scheduling, Bev was easy to reach and flexible. In the car, Bev put me at ease and helped build my confidence to pass the exam. She was always open to my requests and feedback on areas where I wanted to practice. I found Bev via a referral, and it was just the right fit!

Emily

On starting my driving lessons with Bev I had already taken my driving test 5 times, I had my car for two years sat on the drive, paying insurance and tax while being at university. Nerves got the better of me through each of my 6 failed driving tests, and with each fail i felt I moved further away from wanting to drive. But Bev filled me with confidence and allowed me to use my own car. We laughed and practiced all the things that made me uncomfortable! Bev remained calm and gossiped with me as we drove (or perhaps just listened to me gossip). Which from someone who overthinks and panics was really helpful. We talked through techniques to help with anxiety that I could in my own time to manage my fears. Bev supported me driving with my partner which gave me the chance to get a taste of the freedom passing would give me. On the day I passed my test Bev was so excited and genuinly proud ! I’m now driving down to Liskeard and back on my own everyday for work ! Thank you Bev !

Sabrina

I couldn’t have wished for a better instructor than Bev.  I was a nervous driver and lacked confidence in myself but Bev was kind, supportive and always patient with me. She helped me gain a huge amount of confidence in not only my driving but also in myself. Each lesson was a perfect mix of Bev letting me decide what I wanted to do whilst also giving me consistent feedback and pushing me to believe in and trust myself. I now find driving fun and rewarding, something I never thought I’d be able to do. 

I would highly recommend Bev to anyone who is new behind the wheel or anyone lacking confidence and looking to try again, like I was. She’s an incredible instructor and a truly wonderful person. I really can’t thank her enough! 

Impey

Re Bev,

I came to BDS with my confidence low due to previous failed driving tests, and hoped switching to automatic would do the trick. Sadly it did not. Although I drove fine in lessons, my test day nerves always led to one, out of character, major fault. Each failed attempt made the nerves worse, and that little blue paper feel even further out of reach. 

Bev was patient, calm, flexible with lessons to fit in around my other commitments, and never gave up on me. We shared a 5 year journey to eventually get that elusive pass! At the end of the day, it's the same life changing little blue paper whether you get it on your first test, or your 20th. Never give up, and with Bev on your side anything is possible. Thank you!

Prutha

Thank you so much Bev. 

I had multiple attempts at my driving test before I met Bev which had completely shattered my confidence. 8-9 hours of driving with her made me feel so much more confident. I had approx 30-40 hours of driving with a different instructor before this but my lessons with Bev made a huge difference to my driving. She rightly pointed out the factors that needed improvement, most importantly mirror signal positioning and planning at junctions. She has a very well structured approach to driving and encourages reflection which really helped me improve and feel confident. She was very gentle and yet explicitly clear with her instructions. Very punctual, honest and extremely calm.  Above all she is a great human being and I am glad to have met her through my driving journey. 

Kind regards,

Prutha

P.S. Sorry to have missed an opportunity to have coffee with you today. I will stay in touch with you and will look forward to having you for coffee/snacks soon. 

Liz

Bev is an absolute legend. I struggle a lot with miscommunications and that never happened while I was learning with her. I always looked forward to my lessons. We had the best conversations and had many laughs. She also made me feel to much more confident in day to day life. She is extremely good at explaining different driving aspects and I rarely felt confused, and if I did she was great at clarifying everything. I passed my test yesterday and I am going to miss our lessons a lot. Thank you Bev! :)

Abigail

I have been with been with Bev for 8 months learning how to drive and it’s honestly been the best experience I have had with any driving instructor!

The information and the calmness I got with Bev was incredible. I was such a nervous driver but as soon as I was with her I automatically felt comfortable!

I never thought I would pass my test but instead I passed it first time!

I couldn’t have done this without buckland driving - I will forever recommend Bev for her amazing help.

Georgia

I had about 8 lessons with Bev to freshen my driving up. My confidence was massively down and was so anxious about driving again. This amazing woman in such a short space of time gave me so much confidence and helped me believe in myself that i could pass again. Bev makes you feel so so comfortable, all my lessons were so fun and relaxed. Greeted with the biggest smile every lesson, a smile that could light up the biggest room may i say! I had a great time doing my lessons with Bev, a bitter sweet moment when i passed my test. I would recommend to everyone that is wanting to do lessons, to do them with Bev, you will have a great time and learn so much and be the most confident version of yourself! Thank you so much for everything.

Sarina

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your support over the last year and a bit with helping me build my confidence in being able to drive. You've shown patience and compassion and have a wonderful sense of humor, which helps any nervous learner get through the lessons! I can't recommend BDS enough to any new learner or someone trying to get back into it. Bev is fantastic at her job and well worth every penny! :)

Malcolm

Challenged with MND, I applied for help through Motability, only to be told that I had first to learn to drive an adapted car. My initial annoyance at what seemed to be a deliberate stalling of my application was more than offset by my meeting Bev, who, quite apart from being an excellent driving instructor, is an incredibly nice, friendly and charming person.

Bev's professionalism is enhanced by her positivity and patience, and after a couple of months of weekly lessons I felt ready to be reassessed and passed easily!

Whether an entirely new driver or, like me, one who's held a license for thirty odd years, I would, without reservation, recommend Bev. Not only will you benefit from her expert tuition, you'll meet a fantastic person who I'm glad to count among my friends.

Amy

My driving instructor, Bev, was fantastic; she was calm, patient, and encouraging!

I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to begin automatic driving lessons. I was having trouble finding a driving instructor after covid, but I knew Bev from previous manual driving lessons with her. She made me feel comfortable from the moment I stepped into the car and made a daunting task feel just a little bit easier.

Bev it very inspiring when you are struggling with something, and I passed first time!

Naomi (Disability Driving Experience Day)

I was looking for a driving school/instructor to run a one-off driving experience for adults with leaning disabilities and had no luck, until I asked Bev at BDS - Buckland Driving School. Bev offered to drive up to West-Point Exeter to run the session and at a great price too.

She was east to communicate with throughout the process and out group had a brilliant day. We had a really great feedback from our service users and the staff that accompanied them to the driving experience. Bev also made the effort to provide each person with a certificate which was a lovely thing to do as the group loved having something they could take back to show their parents/carers.

We already have another group who would love to take part. I would highly recommend.

Kirsty

Learning to drive with Bev was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; after my confidence was knocked by a previous instructor, I was far from keen to get back behind the wheel and continue learning to drive. Bev was understanding of this from the start and always made me feel comfortable by providing the perfect balance in lessons by letting me decide what I needed to work on, and giving me advice on weaker areas she had noticed too, creating adaptable and personalised lessons. Bev is an excellent teacher, but more so an incredible person – she is friendly, helpful and made an experience I dreaded not only manageable, but actually really good fun. My only regret is not picking her the first time around! I highly recommend her to everyone learning to drive, particularly anyone who’s a bit nervous to get behind the wheel.

Abi

Bev was my second instructor and I couldn't ask for a better person.

My first instructor and I didn't get on very well and I lost confidence in my skills and ability, but with Bev I was able to work at my own pace and choose what I do each lesson. Each lesson was different and I began looking forward to each one. It's organised and professional but Bev is still really lovely and such a nice and kind person.

Whilst I began to stress about my approaching test, Bev was able to put me at ease and I would definitely recommend if you want a better chance at passing first time like I did then choose her. Thank you so much Bev, couldn't have passed so quick without your guidance and I hope you enjoy teaching my brother next year when he starts to drive.

Ashleigh

Bev was my third driving instructor after my first two experiences left me anxious and convinced that I would never be able to drive. At 23 I knew it was time to try again and a driving instructor friend in Taunton recommended Bev for her skill and ability to work successfully with nervous drivers.

From my first lesson Bev put me at ease and made me feel empowered. I went from hating and dreading my driving lessons to feeling excited and actually enjoying them (a revelation for me)!

Bev teaches in a very cool and confident way, she's very thorough and patient and teaches you not only how to pass your test, but also how to be a safe and competent driver in the 'real world'.

Bev makes you feel like you CAN do it (which I obviously can because I've passed)! She is one of the most friendliest people I've ever met and our conversations alone were priceless. I'm going to genuinely miss our lessons and recommend Bev to anyone learning to drive in a safe, relaxed and professional environment.

She's wonderful.

Joe

I would thoroughly recommend BDS to anyone. Bev was good at settling my nerves in my earlier lessons, as well as giving detailed feedback to help me refine my skills as I approached tests. The lessons were always tailored to my needs whether that was pushing my abilities and confidence on more challenging routes, or having a more relaxed drive when needed. Once past the initial nerves lessons became even more enjoyable.

A massive thanks!

Suzanna

I was a very nervous first time driven and was suggested to Bev Kiltie. She gave me one key point to driving that was to stay focus and not worry about drivers wanting to over take me. She was kinda and funny, settling me into the drivers seat very well. I would recommend Bev to anyone. She is a great diving instructor to the most nervous students.

Vic

Bev was the perfect driving instructor for me: my lessons were always relaxed and friendly but the content was always precisely tailored to fit my needs. I would recommend buckland driving school to everyone but particularly anyone who has had a negative experience of learning to drive or finds it nerve-wracking. In my experience not only did it become possible but actually enjoyable - which is more than I had hoped for!!

Thanks again!