thames driving lessons
Learn to drive, locally right here in Thames.
As Thames is the location for local driving tests for the area, we recommend advanced driving lessons in Thames.
This helps you to experience higher traffic volumes where we can teach you how to interact with other road users.
Thames also has roading infrastructure required for the test that is not available to practice on in smaller towns, such as roundabouts and merging lanes.
High School Students
We work with students at Thames High School and other local high schools like Hauraki Plains College. Lessons are able to start from Thames High School to suit students. Our online driving lesson booking calendar, makes it easy to see which times and days are available to book.
Practice Tests
If you'd like to experience the test - or as real as it gets without doing it - book a practice test with our instructor Gavin Buchanan. Gavin was a Testing Officer in Thames and took over 10,000 tests. Gavin will help you pass the real test by pointing out and correcting any errors you may be making and are unaware of.
Please note: This is a PRACTICE test, not the real test to get your licence. Book your practical driving test online, with Waka Kotahi.
Senior Driving Coaching
We offer senior driving coaching in Thames. You can choose to drive your own car, or ours and Gavin will meet you at your own home, workplace or retirement village etc.
Local Hazards
If you would like to feel more confident on our Thames Coast Road, or a highway like the Kopu Hikuai Rd, open road driving or driving on gravel roads* like the Kauaeranga Valley, or Thames Coast Road - Gavin can cover these in your lesson. He will also discuss managing local conditions such as fog on the Hauraki Plains and black ice on the Kopu Hikuai road etc.
*Gavin likes his car to be clean and and shiny at all times, so we prefer you use your own car for any driving on gravel roads please - to avoid him needing the clean the driving school car immediately!
Defensive Driving Certificate Courses
Find out about our next Thames AA Defensive Driving Certificate course. As well as public courses, Thames Driver Training runs in-house (or off-site) Defensive Driving Courses for groups such as schools, organisations, workplaces etc.
Fleet and Business training
Available in Thames/Coromandel or Hauraki districts by arrangement.