Automatic driving lessons in Sunderland, East Durham and Hartlepool, taught by an ex-DVSA examiner

Hi, I am Tony Straughan, and I run North East School of Motoring. I teach automatic driving lessons in a fully electric, dual-controlled car across Sunderland, County Durham and Hartlepool, and I help future driving instructors prepare for the ADI Part 2, ADI Part 3, and Standards Check tests.


With 8 years as a self-employed driving instructor and 22 years inside the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as both an examiner and a trainer of examiners, I bring something most local schools simply cannot: first-hand insight into exactly what your test examiner is looking for.

Why people choose NORTH EAST SCHOOL OF MOTORING?

Calm, patient lessons in an automatic car, taught by an ex-DVSA examiner with 30+ years on both sides of the L-plate. Pickups across Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool. Lessons from £32 per hour.

Why learn to drive with North East School of Motoring?

Choosing the right driving instructor matters. You are paying for your time, your confidence and ultimately your full UK driving licence, so it is fair to expect more than just a friendly face behind the dual controls. When you book lessons with me, you get the full benefit of my career on both sides of the L-plate.

As an ex-DVSA examiner, I know how the practical test is marked, what counts as a serious fault and where most candidates lose points. As an ex-DVSA examiner trainer, I taught new examiners how to set the standard fairly and consistently. As a qualified ADI with over 30 years of experience, I know how to bring out the best in nervous, neurodiverse, and confident learners alike. That blend of teaching qualifications and inside knowledge is rare in the North East, and it is why my pupils tell me they feel genuinely test-ready when the day comes.

Why automatic?

All of my tuition takes place in a fully electric automatic car. There are no gears to crunch, no clutch to stall and very little engine noise to add to the stress of a tricky junction. Most of my pupils need fewer hours, build confidence faster and arrive at their test feeling far more in control than friends learning in a manual.

Who I help

I work with two main groups of people across the North East:

  • Learner drivers who want a calm, structured route to their full automatic licence
  • Trainee (PDI / pink badge) and qualified (ADI / green badge) driving instructors who want bespoke ADI Part 2, Part 3 and Standards Check coaching from a former DVSA examiner trainer

Whether you have never sat behind the wheel before, or you are a green-badge ADI preparing for your next standards check, you will get the same patient, structured, DVSA-aligned coaching every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many automatic driving lessons will I need to pass?

On average, learners taking automatic lessons need fewer hours than those learning manual, partly because there is no clutch control to master. Most of my pupils take their test within 25 to 35 hours of professional tuition, but every learner is different and I will give you an honest progress review at every stage.

Pay-as-you-go lessons are £35 per hour, with discounts available on block bookings:


  • Single 1.5-hour lesson: £57
  • 10-hour block booking: £340 (£34 per hour)
  • 20-hour block booking: £660 (£33 per hour)
  • 30-hour block booking: £960 (£32 per hour)


There are no hidden fees, no joining costs and no pressure. If you would prefer to start with a single hour to see how we get on, that is absolutely fine.

Will I be allowed to drive any car after passing in an automatic?

Once you pass in an automatic, your full UK licence allows you to drive automatic vehicles only. If you later decide to drive a manual car, you can take a separate manual test. Given that the UK is moving rapidly to automatic and electric vehicles, an automatic licence is increasingly almost all that most drivers ever need.

Areas I cover

My pupils come from the following areas:


  • Sunderland
  • Boldon
  • Washington (some exclusions)
  • Chester-Le-Street
  • Hetton-le-Hole
  • Houghton-le-Spring
  • Durham
  • Seaham
  • Easington
  • Peterlee
  • Harlepool
  • Seaton Carew


Tests are taken at Sunderland, Durham or Hartlepool test centres, so your lessons are tailored to the routes the examiner will use on the day. If you are not sure whether your postcode is in range, please give me a call and I will let you know.