Excel Driver Training owner James Whitaker offers point of difference for Whanganui learner drivers

Excel Driver Training owner James Whitaker is a United Kingdom-trained driving instructor with years of New Zealand experience.

Whanganui is a very different proposition to Auckland when it comes to teaching people to drive but it's all in a day's work for James Whitaker.

Attracted by Whanganui's lifestyle, house prices and history, last year Whitaker decided to relocate from Auckland after 15 years of driver training there and now operates Excel Driver Training for local learner drivers.

The independent driving instructor says there are some key differences in working in Whanganui.

"Auckland is very competitive and aggressive and you see that in people's driving," he said.

"I don't need to teach about road rage and how to deal with it in Whanganui."

Whitaker does not teach students the driving test route in Whanganui, focusing instead on other roads and more challenging scenarios so students have more experience when it comes to the test itself.

He will also sit in as a support person when they take their test to give them more confidence.

"In Auckland I worked in Westgate which had the lowest pass rate in the country. It was a difficult test route but [my students] always got it on their second attempt if they didn't get it first time."

Whitaker's lessons last two hours, something he said was standard in the United Kingdom where he trained but he had not heard of in New Zealand.

The two-hour timeframe is a mental challenge for students and good preparation for the 45-minute test for their restricted licence, Whitaker said.

"They need to be able to concentrate for a long time for their test and also if they're driving out of town," Whitaker said.

"The two-hour lesson is also better value for money as they don't need so many lessons.

"I like to invite their parent to observe the lesson. They sit in the back seat so I'm indirectly teaching the parent as well. They can upgrade their standard of driving and see what I do.

"I make it interesting and the parents enjoy it."

Whitaker trained as a driving instructor in the United Kingdom after previously working as a funeral director and on cruise ships.

"There aren't many UK-trained instructors in New Zealand," he said.

"It's a really difficult exam over there. They really teach us how to teach. You spend two years training. In New Zealand the training system is eight days."

Whitaker says being a driving instructor is his hobby as well as his vocation.

"I'm excited to get someone from being a brand new learner through to their full licence. It's something I excel at."

Whitaker also offers training for people who hold a driver's licence but want to update their skills or increase their confidence.

More information about Excel Driver Training is available online at www.ihelpyoudrive.co.nz or on the company's Facebook page.