Hi.  I’ve been helping people in the western suburbs of Brisbane get their automatic driving licenses for 8 years now.  Whether they are from Indooroopilly, Kenmore, Chapel Hill, Sherwood, Graceville or the Centenary suburbs, I like to think I impart some wisdom and teach skills which will last a lifetime.  I took a test today about the road rules in Queensland, quietly confident that I would score 100%, but I fell short on one question.  Actually, I got another wrong, because I assumed the question was asking who had right of way, when it was asking who had to give way. As a primary school teacher during the week, I failed what I teach my students to always do; read the question first!

There was one question, however, that I did get wrong.  If you want to take the test yourself, the link is down below.  And if you would like me to take you out for a driving lesson, just let me know.  I’ll even know the answer to this question now, if you ask me.  In practice, I don’t think the majority of people would apply it like it is written in the road rules though.  What do you think?

How well do you know the road rules in Queensland?

Crash Test Dummy MINI Driving School is back.  We had a well deserved rest at the end of 2016 but it’s time to get the wheels rolling again in 2017.

In 2017, Crash Test Dummy is available on Saturdays, Sundays, school holidays and also on Saturdays for driving tests at Sherwood.

That’s a little more restrictive than other driving schools, but most clients are looking for weekend lessons anyway.

Drop me a message and find out why only one person in the last 6 years has asked for their money back.  (Hint, they told their Mum after the first lesson I was only available on Mondays!  Mmm, yes, that’s totally what I said, not.)

So, 99%+ customer satisfaction isn’t bad.  Mavis the MINI rubs it in because she has a 100% satisfaction rating.

David and Mavis the MINI

Hi.  Long time, no see.  I often have parents ask me whether I have nerves of steel when they find out I am a driving instructor.  Then they usually follow up with tales of taking their children out for the first time and how it scared them to bits.  I reassure them that it does get better and that in time they will enjoy the experience of spending that time with their child while they work their way up to 100 hours of practice.

I do suggest that the first ten hours should be handled by a driving instructor, to get things sorted and life-long habits set up.  Handing over to the parents once that is complete usually results in a much more enjoyable learning experience for everyone.  Plus with triple time for the first 10 hours with a driving instructor, you can easily get 30 hours of the logbook sorted away.

I recently came across a video which you can probably relate to if you have ever taken out a brand new driver (parental guidance advised; mild coarse language).  Enjoy!  And if you need the services of a calm, patient and encouraging automatic MINI driving instructor, feel free to get in touch – send me a text on 0433 916 214.

Operating a MINI Driving School in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane is lots of fun.  For the past five years I (David) have had the pleasure of being an automatic driving instructor to hundreds of young and not so young clients.  It’s truly the best job I have ever had, which is one of the reasons I have never yelled at a client.  I don’t need to brand myself that I don’t shout; I just get on with the job of helping people achieve their driving dreams.  Accompanying on my journey has been Mavis the MINI, who has quite the cult following amongst my clients.  Sometimes I think she is more popular than I am.

That’s not a picture of me on the left, by the way; I’m never grumpy.  Anyway, as the year draws to a close it is time to reflect on those clients who have made a lasting impact on me, or Mavis.  Thankfully and due to some modest skill on my part, another year has gone by without an accident caused by my clients.  That would total, umm… five years in a row.  Now as you may know Mavis has lost two rear bumper bars in the past, but they were both lost as a result of fully licensed drivers failing to see a bright yellow MINI stopped in front of them.  That is a picture of me on the right.  You can make your own mind up about my expression; am I out with a brand new driver, getting ready for a dentist appointment or remembering that I forgot to shave on New Year’s Eve when updating my blog?

In the past, my end of year awards have invariably focused on my clients (which would make sense), but I would like to start by giving myself one first, for being a pretty darn good instructor (there’s that modesty again).  Now it’s not the Australian way to toot your own horn (though I do toot Mavis’s on occasion), but every now and again you’ve got to recognise that you’re good at what you do and give yourself credit.  So congratulations David, you receive the first 2014 award.  Why thank you David, I never thought I would receive one.  I would like to thank…

The second award I would like to give goes to Mavis the MINI, for being a constant fun companion and for keeping my clients happy and safe as they learn some new skills or go for their Practical Driving Test as Sherwood or Rosalie.  I’ll accept that award on Mavis’ behalf.  The third award I would like to bestow is to the driving examiners at Sherwood and Rosalie who each day examine 10 learner drivers to determine whether they are ready to get their Ps.  On the whole, they do a great job and the feedback they give after the tests is always first rate.  Just like Mavis, I’ll accept that award on behalf of all those examiners, as they’re not allowed to take gifts (naturally).

One day I’ll get around to designing an actual award statue, like they have at those fancy Hollywood red carpet events, but for today and like every other day I take my clients out, I like to know that nothing is set in stone and each drive will have its own challenges and rewards, much like this space cow, which I dub the honorary End of Year Awards of 2014 statue.  Let’s call it “Moovis”.  So, here in no particular order, are those clients who will be receiving a Moovis this year;

Robert, for the “I haven’t seen you in a long time, actually a really long, long time, more than two years” award

Jun, for the “OK, it’s really time to nail this, 8 weekends, Saturday and Sunday, in a row before the test” award

Anita and KK, who share the “I can’t believe anyone is always so happy and positive every time I see her” award

Kristi for the “Don’t blame yourself every time we go over a bump, it’s OK, Mavis has shock absorbers” award

Kristi again for the “Can’t do the Rubik’s cube” award

Evie and Georgie for the “which sister will get their Ps first” award (I won’t divulge the outcome)

Tahmina, for the “Well, it may have taken five years because you were busy with your medical studies but you’ve finally done it” award

Ella, for the “Hi, it’s Ella, I passed my test with zero errors” award

Sylvia, for the “one lesson, one test, all done, see you on the road in my big 4WD” award

I could go on, as you probably have guessed by now, but I would like to thank all my clients for sharing their driving journey with me this year and I look forward to welcoming many more in the following years (maybe you, yes you).

Mavis the MINI Cooper, has finally celebrated her 100th, 100,000 km that is.

On a warm Saturday afternoon, Crash Test Dummy MINI Driving School client Liam from Kenmore Hills had the honour of seeing 99,999 roll over to 100,000.

Mavis took it in her stride.  In her time she has seen many things and often gets a pat from David at the end of the day to say thanks old pal for a job well done.

Countless learner students have taken their practical driving test at Sherwood and Rosalie and a couple of other centres as well.  Countless learner students took their first driving lesson in Mavis the auto MINI.  And countless fell in love with the way a MINI Cooper makes the driver feel.  If you haven’t experienced it yourself, you deserve it.

So what next for Mavis?  Is she in her twilight years, ready to wind down into retirement?  Far from it.  Barely 3.5 years old in human terms and looking good, pulling hard with her turbo diesel engine and smooth automatic gear changes, Mavis wants more.  More learners doing their practical driving tests, more learners doing prep tests, more learners learning how to do u-turns, reverse parks and all the other manoeuvres Queensland Transport might throw at you and generally having lots of fun learning how to drive.  Because when it comes down to it, learning to drive should be fun.  Challenging, but fun.

So where does that leave David the driving instructor, Mavis’ copilot?  Well, he’s quite happy to keep teaching.  Teaching 16 year olds how to steer using the push pull method, teaching people in their twenties what the five second rule is, teaching people in the thirties what they need to get their license and their motoring independence.

So on behalf of David and Mavis’ many wonderful clients, who have enjoyed the difference between a MINI Cooper Driving School in Brisbane and an ordinary driving school in Brisbane, here’s to Mavis.  Hip hip, hooray. Hip hip, hooray. Hip hip, hooray!

Practical Driving Test, three words that strike fear into the most competent of learner drivers.  PDT, may as well be PTSD.  As the day of the big test comes closer, the more nervous some clients get despite being really good drivers.  So Mavis (my MINI) and I have just got back from taking Jessica for her second stab at the test.  I wasn’t there the first time around but thanks to some less than stellar instruction from another driving school, Jessica contacted me to help guide her through her second attempt.

Here’s the scene ; Rosalie Testing Centre, a hot November day, one nervous client.  Not as nervous as the first time around, I was assured, because her hands weren’t shaking.  We had just done our pre-test drive, covering some of the main roads around the centre and providing a few last minute tips of wisdom (better watch out, my head will explode with that kind of ego).  Out came the examiner who I hadn’t met before.  She had been running a touch late because the previous learner she took out had to replace his tyre in the hot Sun.  Good on him, he did it and passed his test.  That’s brilliant in my books.

Sometimes Jessica forgot to breath during her test.

Anyway, the Qld Transport Examiner got Jessica to hop into the MINI and do the pre-test checks.  Left and right indicators front and back, brake lights and the horn.  Then she hopped in the car with Jessica, got her to identify a couple of internal controls and off they went for the drive.  Rather than stand outside and get fried, I took shelter in the testing centre and watched a soap opera with the sound turned down.  I had to make up my own story.  About 20 minutes later, I braved the heat again to await Jessica’s return.  Mavis the MINI rolled back into the parking lot and I strolled across to hear the verdict.  The examiner opened the door so I could hear the verdict and Jessica piped up, “I can breath again.”  Apparently she had asked the examiner and had been given the thumbs up to continue her life-long pattern of breathing.

It was a good drive and a good pass, just two minor marks off.  We shook hands, went inside, Jessica paid for he new shiny license and I drove her home (because my insurance doesn’t cover provisional license holders!)  We shook hands again, this time left handed because Jessica was holding all her stuff including her brand new P plates we picked up from the service station on the way home and here I am.  As always, all credit goes to Jessica for a great drive.  All I did was polish a few little things.

Seeing it is near the end of November and I have just turned 40, the mind starts to reflect over the year that was and starts to consider what annual awards shall be given out.  So today, just like how some of the Oscars are pre-announced, I’m happy to award Jessica two 2012 Crash Test Dummy Awards.  The first is for the least amount of breathing prior to or during a test.  I counted two breaths on the way to the test and I think one was taken during the test.  This is quite ironic given Jessica’s profession (that’s an inside joke).  The second award is for her infectious laugh.  When Jessica laughed, I couldn’t help but smile.  My job might be to guide people to their Ps and that gives me great pleasure, but it is all the different people I meet along the way that keeps me loving my job.

So congratulations Jessica, you can breath safely again.  You only have to pass your driving test once and you’ve done it.  All the best for a lifetime of safe driving and I’ll see you on the road!

Sometimes everyone needs a little TLC.  Mavis the MINI is no different.  She works hard for our clients providing driving lessons in Kenmore, Indooroopilly and pretty much all the Western suburbs.

So recently we took Mavis to German Prestige Services and told Sam to give her the works.  And he did just that.

New Mobil 1 oil and filter, engine flush, diesel additive, upper engine clean, microfilter, air filter, fuel filter, new brake fluid and new coolant.

Wow.  Thanks Sam!  Mavis felt so much better after her day spa and now she’s ready to take you driving.  Beep beep!

UPDATE : Yellow is the new silver.  Mavis is back in action, looking better than ever with all her missing decals replaced and looking like new!

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Poor Mavis the MINI. She was just minding her own business when she was kissed from behind by a Toyota Landcruiser. It wasn’t even during a lesson.

So off to the repair shop she went and now she’s looking a little worse for wear, showing off her silver underneath instead of the bright yellow decals which usually cover her behind. Rest assured, though, that Mavis is still keen to take you driving!

Beep beep!

What could be better than giving the gift of a lifetime of safe driving?  The only thing that springs to mind is giving someone so much cash that they can chauffeur driven for the rest of their lives… But come to think of it, that would be pretty boring, compared with learning to drive in Crash Test Dummy MINI Driving School’s awesome automatic MINI Cooper.

Anyway, I’ll leave that conundrum with you.  I would like to introduce our thoughtful gift cards.  What makes them thoughtful?  They are both a gift card and a handwriting exercise in one.

Check out these images and then I’ll explain.

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