Driving instructors you should AVOID

Today is a happy day because I passed my TP test! 🥳 Although it took me two tries, I felt significantly less stress for the second time since I knew what to expect.

The main motivation for me to pass it once and for all is because I am tired of camping for classes and meeting driving instructors whom I cannot work with.

For context, I am an introvert who prefers a nurturing or at least patient instructor that teach me calmly instead of pressurising or demeaning me. I’ve learnt that instructors who are less chatty help me to better concentrate during my lessons. And since I’m on common pool 3A, I don’t get to choose my instructor. Every lesson is like a blind box.

While a majority of the instructors at CDC are ok, a handful are quite disturbing to spend 100mins with.

That’s because they are not very respectful in terms of the topics they choose to chat about. E.g., one instructor (will not be naming) was looking at a student walking along the road and said that “nowadays the girls ah, face all like baby, but wa the chest and butt…whoaaaaa”. Another one told me that “my ex-student always wear sexy sexy come for class, very distracting. Then ask me want to go out make friends she recommend girls to me.” Dude is married. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄

So just sharing my thoughts on the instructors I’ve met through my 26 lessons, in hopes that my fellow school learners can blacklist the ones they don’t want to encounter or at least go to lessons with some 心理准备. I’ll only put their serial number and initials of their names.

❌ Instructors I blacklisted:

0381 CTMA - He was my instructor for my first public road lesson, and right off the bat he told me he damn suey need to be the first to bring me on the road. This was very demoralising. Then he kept drawing his instructions on paper (not very helpful because his drawing is bad) and then forcing me to look at the paper while I’m driving on open road. As such, I almost ramped into the barrier on a left turn and he shouted at me, and after that refused to teach me. Just kept sneering every time I fumbled and shaking his head. I have never wanted to alight a car so badly.

1052 APCC - Dude kept chatting with me instead of teaching me anything. He also made a lot of dirty jokes. What a waste of 100mins of my life and my $83. Maybe some might find him friendly and humorous, but I didn’t appreciate his jokes.

0700 TPJ - Not very chatty, but very thorough with his pointers and explanations. He can explain a bit fast so you might want to ask him to slow down. Generally, he made me feel very rushed because he will do impatient gestures and keep fidgeting, but quite a nice uncle overall. If you get nervous easily and will be affected by his impatient comments and gestures, suggest to void him or he’ll affect your confidence. I got him for my last lesson before my first TP test and I felt demoralized because I made so many mistakes after he rushed me.

1308 FKBJK - Nice Malay dude who gives good pointers but a bit too chatty. Made quite a few dirty jokes, and he is heavy smoker so the whole car smelled of cigarettes.

✅ Instructors that were good:

0432 TKL - 🌟If you get this instructor, you’re in for an insightful lesson. He is a bit stern, but more like a stern father who nags for your own good. His instructions are very clear and concise, and he doesn’t chat much so that I can focus. However, that doesn’t mean he is unfriendly because he is actually a very humorous instructor. He just takes some time to warm up to people. Most importantly, he will give encouragement and compliments when I do well. Doesn’t make dirty jokes at all. My fave fave fave instructor, I think I got him at least 6-7 times. He understands my driving style and gives me the confidence to do well. I got him for my last lesson before my 2nd TP test and he really recap all my strengths and weaknesses and told me he’s confident in me so I should not be too nervous. I tried looking for him after I passed my TP test to thank him, but sadly could not locate him.

0491 NBA - Friendly Malay uncle with a bit of dirty jokes (quite subtle so I still can tahan). But very clear in his instructions and helped me with my S and crank course (his tips for these 2 courses are damn good!). Will ask for your number and claims to be able to open up classes even for common pool. And he really managed to do it because I have received several texts from him asking if I want a class (but the timings clashed w my schedule so I never attended).

0952 MCKB - A fatherly uncle who was very understanding, not too chatty. But when you make mistakes he will tell you other people laughing at you, which can make you very self conscious. He may sound a bit impatient and will rush you to turn turn turn or go go go, but just take it as mental resilience practice and drive based on your own judgement. He means no harm, just his personality ganjiong. Doesn’t make dirty jokes.

0903 AHTJ - Very nice instructor who gives a lot of reassurance and patience. He will tell you that as a learner you should make as many mistakes as possible so you can learn and experience. Did my first heavy rain public road driving w him and he was so calm, I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and learnt a lot.

7087 OKLJ - He’s a patient instructor who gave good tips on narrow courses. I told him I was not confident with the S and crank course, and he allowed me to practice that quite a bit. Also brought me to drive test routes and told me what to look out for.

1266 OEHV - A patient instructor who kept quiet when I drove, without giving too much comments unless necessary. He was very encouraging and will tell me important tips. If you get him nearing to 20th lesson he will tell you whether he think you can go for test alr.

7076 TWTP - Very fatherly, will patiently teach you and give you suggestions. I often do stationary turning and he tried to show me that it isn’t so scary to turn while moving. Tend to give directions on the road a little late, but maybe he’s trying to simulate how TP might give instructions during the test. Overall, a comfortable instructor who made my 100mins worthwhile.

1056 OWK - Extremely patient and kind instructor who speaks in such a calming voice I could drive without anxiety even when it’s pouring outside. He will gently give you feedback and encourage you to try again until you are confident. Very lucky to have met him one week prior to my second test too!

The above is more or less all the instructors who taught me over the past 6 months. I hope this is helpful for students in common pool, and may you meet an instructor that suits your learning style at every lesson!

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