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Donna is originally from Lewes and moved away to support her husband whilst he was serving in the forces. After living in Oxfordshire and Germany, Donna and her family have been settled in Newhaven since 2007. Her passion is now as a driving instructor in Newhaven and the surrounding areas, providing manual lessons to pupils of all standards. She thrives on seeing people grow in confidence behind the wheel and uses a calm and compassionate manner to achieve this.
Donna has always enjoyed driving and the freedom which this gives her. She now relishes the challenge of new, nervous drivers of all ages and enjoys bringing the best out of them. Donna is able to understand how the pupil and work out their individual learning styles. This is due to her previous experience of working with special educational needs, including Dyslexia, Asperger and ADHD.
Through her personable instructional manner and knowledge she is keen to help students pass first time and become the best driver they can be. She especially enjoys driving on the continent as she has spent 8 years living in Germany. Her ambition has always been to combine her experience within children’s education and her enthusiasm for driving.
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Donna is an incredible instructor. She has a fantastic ability to teach you how to safely and confidently drive. When I started having lessons with her I didn’t feel secure on the road and felt particularly uneasy in the country roads. Donna was patient and help me build up the skills and confidence to drive independently and more importantly safely under any weather condition.
I didn’t pass my first test as I was nervous and failed to do a thorough observation at a junction. Donna continued to teach me and close the gaps in my skills. She build up my confidence and driving skills.
I have now passed my driving test (second time lucky – 5 minors) and I couldn’t be happier as I know I will be a safe driver on the road. That’s what Donna does, she prepares you not just for the test but for life.
Thank you for everything Donna. I couldn’t have done this without you!
I am so happy with my experience with Donna at yes driving school
I feel I have been taught to the best ability to drive safety and feel confident with now being able to drive alone on the roads !
I couldn’t fault Donna and as much of a good teacher she is she also made me feel very welcome and comfortable during my lessons.
As having passed my test first try today I can highly recommend donna as an instructor
Donna is a fantastic instructor! Due to looking my license to a medical an after driving 21 years. I had to start again so I found Donna feeling that she’s was going to be right for me I was not wrong Donna is the best! She is supportive and knows not to over teach! She remains calm and works to boost your confidence whilst helping you to drive safely I have a new way off driving now She is a amazing teacher and she has fun tricks to help you enjoy learning to drive! Going to test was a rush but got a pass 1st time. Thank you so much for all your help and support. Hopefully see you about. 😊
Donna has been amazing, she gave our daughter the skills she needed to pass first time. As a 17 year old who is keen to drive, she could not have wished for a better instructor. Thank you Donna.
Donna is a fantastic instructor! Due to moving around I ended up having 5 different instructors and by miles Donna was the best! She is supportive and knows not to over teach! She remains calm and works to boost your confidence whilst helping you to drive safely. She is a clear teacher and she has fun tricks to help you enjoy learning to drive! 11/10!
Having had a previous instructor who was less than professional, I came to Yes! Driving School with knocked confidence but Donna was brilliant from the get go and quickly worked out what I was and was not good at, proceeding to work on those things that needed improvement and then brush up my better qualities to a better standard. Donna has a thorough yet patient method of teaching which is ideal for everyone. I cannot thank you enough for you patience, time and advice and I couldn’t give you a higher recommendation.
When I first started driving, I was very nervous. Donna was very patient and taught me how to be safe in driving and all her tips and tricks along the way helped a lot with my confidence. I couldn’t thank Donna enough for being calm when it didn’t quite go right and she’d help me with how I could do it better. There was always a positive in the negative! I couldn’t be happier with passing first time but I also couldn’t have done it without you! I can’t wait to get out in my own car and drive my family around and also to have the independence I wanted!
Thank you so much again Donna! It’s been a pleasure!
Donna is such a friendly, supportive and patient teacher!
She always made sure to emphasise that mistakes are learning points rather than something bad. Whenever there was something I found tricky we always took time to talk it through and practice it until I was confident. I could take things at my own pace and the lessons were focussed on what I needed.
As a nervous learner, this really helped me approach my test confidently and pass first time. I’ve already recommended Donna to someone I know, will definitely keep recommending in future!
I started lessons with Donna after starting to learn to drive with my parents. She did a great job of teaching me all the correct procedures for driving safely and for a test, whilst always making me feel relaxed. Donna was always flexible, allowing me to work on what I felt needed improving without needless repetition to pump up the hours. I would definitely recommend Donna to anybody looking to pass their test, whether they’re just starting out or have already begun to learn with parents.
I have been learning to drive on and off for 10 years, never been comfortable or confident enough to book my driving test. Today I passed first time with only 2 driving faults and I cannot thank Donna enough for that! She was amazing, so patient and understating, cannot recommended her enough!
Donna is fantastic, really calm and patient. She’s great to learn with and really gave me confidence. Thrilled to have passed my test.
Donna was a great instructor, very calm and helpful in the car. She was very patient and taught me everything I needed to know for the test. Helped me to keep calm on test day and I managed to past first time!
I passed my test yesterday, first time! My driving instructor Donna filled me full of confidence. She was a very patient teacher all the way through. Thank you very much Donna!
It was so lovely learning to drive with Donna. She is an amazing instructor and is so comfortable to be around. I will truly miss seeing her.
I would highly recommend taking lessons with Donna. She constantly pushed me to be the best driver I could and I passed first time. As quite a shy person, Donna was able to help me become confident behind the wheel. I always looked forward to my lessons with her, and enjoyed learning with her as my instructor 🙂
Donna was an absolutely amazing instructor, our lessons were always filled with laughter while still covering all that was needed to be done in each lesson! I always looked forward my lessons with her and couldn’t have asked for anyone better, she was the perfect instructor! She would persistently give encouragement which helped me believe in myself that I could pass my test, constantly helping me to reach my full potential and keeping me calm. I managed to pass my test first time with 4 minors and I don’t think I could have done that without Donna’s amazing teaching!
Could not of asked for a better driving instructor than Donna. I’ve always been a nervous person and learning to drive was something I had been putting off for many years. I remember looking at Donna’s previous testimonials and getting a good vibe off of her and from the first phone call I knew I had made the right decision. She made driving a real joy, she was always attentive and understanding whilst pushing me to make sure I achieved what she knew I was capable of. I have never needed or wanted another instructor, she was the perfect one for me.
Could not of asked for a better driving instructor than Donna. I’ve always been a nervous person and learning to drive was something I had been putting off for many years. I remember looking at Donna’s previous testimonials and getting a good vibe off of her and from the first phone call I knew I had made the right decision. She made driving a real joy, she was always attentive and understanding whilst pushing me to make sure I achieved what she knew I was capable of. I have never needed or wanted another instructor, she was the perfect one for me.
Absolutely brilliant driving instructor Donna Colwell. Helped me pass first time no dfs. Would definitely recommend to friends and family
I would like to say a big thanks to Donna for helping me pass my driving test first time. Donna is a brilliant driving instructor and I would recommend her to anyone! She is calm, patient and guided me through the whole process providing excellent knowledge, skills and value for money! 10/10
Donna was a really great instructor, very patient and supportive with my nerves and gave me lots of good driving experience, would definitely recommend
Donna was great! It took a while to get use to driving after a massive break but Donna gave me faith and reasurrance I could do it.
The weeks up to test to I was asked what I wanted to do and practice as it was important to build my confidence in areas I lacked. Preparation upto test was key especially as my nerves definitely kicked in on the day. And every question I ask she was always able to help, which was a quite a lot.
With her amazing help and dedication, I passed first time! Honestly cannot thank you enough for what you’ve helped me achieve.
I most definitely recommend Donna to anyone I know starting their driving!
Donna was amazing! She made me feel totally at ease and gave me the confidence I needed to pass first time. I managed to pass my test with only six months of lessons thanks to Donna’s patience and amazing teaching methods. She’s now given me the skills I need to be on the road and be a confident and capable driver. I’d 100% recommend her to anyone looking for lessons. Thanks again you’re a star!
Donna is a great instructor! Made me feel comfortable right from the start! I have really enjoyed my experience learning to drive with Donna. She has been so supportive and such a fantastic teacher! Donna helped me build my confidence with driving which enabled me to pass first time with 2 minors. I couldn’t have done it without her, I appreciate all of the help Donna has given me and definitely recommend Yes! Driving school. Thankyou for everything Donna!
I passed first time with Donna who has been an amazing support. I have really enjoyed my experince learning to drive. Donna has encouraged me all the way through my learning, I’ve always felt calm and at ease during every lesson. I would recommend Yes! Driving School to anyone learning to drive. Thank you so much Donna!
Donna is Absolutely amazing! She created a fun and relaxed environment which really helped me learn. I feel she made sure I was confident and happy with all areas of my driving and the lessons were were always dedicated to my requirements. I will always recommend Donna. I couldn’t have passed without her!
First time pass! Donna was such an amazing instructor! So professional, really calmed my nerves and increased my confidence! She was always so patient with me and always made me laugh and feel at ease. I couldn’t recommend her enough!! Thank you so much Donna
Donna was such an amazing instructor! So professional, really calmed my nerves and increased my confidence! She was always so patient with me and always made me laugh and feel at ease. I couldn’t recommend her enough!! Thank you so much Donna
Passed first time with Donna! She’s been so supportive and calm through my driving lesson, I always felt confident and relaxed in the car with her, I would definitely recommend. Thank you!
First time pass with Donna. Such a great instructor who has been so calm and patient with me, would definitely recommend! Thank you 😊
Donna is a great teacher and has been really kind and patient with me. She has helped me gain confidence in my driving despite me being quite nervous and thanks to her teaching I passed my test first time. Couldn’t have done it without her support! Would definitely recommend.
Passed my driving test 2nd time today. I couldn’t thank Donna Colwell enough. I definitely couldn’t have done it without her. She has patience of a saint teaching me how to drive as I was always a bag of nerves but she helped me through all of that. She is such an amazing instructor. So thank you so much for all your help and support.
When I first came to Donna for lessons I was really scared of driving, after a small car accident when I was younger. Throughout our lessons she has helped build my confidence, teaching me in a really calm and gentle manner. She is constructive with her feedback, helping you with what you need to work on whilst never making you feel disheartened. I would highly recommend Donna as an instructor, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her! I will miss our lessons together.
Donna has got this instructor business down to a tee. She works amazingly and gives you the time (and patience) to get you through all the nerves and doubts that you may have. The lessons are just like Donna; relaxed, fun and bubbly.
I’m so thankful for having Donna help me achieve my license and I will be recommending this lovely lady to anyone wanting to drive.
I passed my driving test today thanks to Donna!. She was extremely patient and understanding as I suffered really bad with nerves. She made learning to drive fun with her very bubbly personality. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!.
Thank you so much Donna!.
I would like to start off by saying how grateful I am to my instrutor Donna. After many failed attempts with other instructors and driving schools, Donna made me feel comfortable and confident within my lessons. If it wasn’t for Donna I would have never passed my test first time. I will definitely be recommending her as an instructor and YES! as a driving school. Many thanks Adam.
When I joined Yes! I had only 12 hours previous driving experience. It seems that 12 hours is a long enough time to pick up bad driving habits but Donna showed me the correct, safe way to drive unlike my previous instructor. This led me to pass first time! Thanks Donna!
I want to say a huge thank you to Donna, she’s an amazing driving instructor. I passed first time and I have had a lot of driving instructor before her and I can honestly say she is the best instructor I have had. I felt comfortable, relaxed i felt confidence behind the wheel which I never had done before. Not only did I pass first time with Donna so did my husband. She wants you to pass and she is so happy for you too. Thank you so much Donna! You truly are a wonderful lady! 😊
I have really enjoyed working with Donna over the last few months,
Donna’s ability to encourage confidence and bring out the best in you is second to none. She has made our lessons together alot of fun and I will miss our weekly drive. Not being able to drive had become a big obstical in my life and Donna enabled me to conquer it first time.
I was a bag of nevers on my test day but she helped me keep calm and I passed first time, thank you so much for all your help!
Can’t recommend highly enough.
Thanks to the great instructor that is Donna Colwell i managed to pass my practical driving test first attempt today.
I had never driven a car before I started my lessons and to this day have only done 36 hours driving, and that has all been with my instructor. She taught me everything I needed to know about driving and how to pass my test successfully.
Although she has only been teaching students how to drive for a short amount of time I can truly say that she is one of the best driving instructors around my local area and would advise her to anyone who is thinking about learning to drive.
Hi everyone my name is kayleigh. I passed my test on the 3rd of August thanks to Donna Colwell and Bubbles the car 🙂
I had a different driving instructor first who I drove with for over a year. I did my first test with my old driving instructor and failed I was getting sworn and shouted at. Coz I suffer really badly with anxiety.i changed driving instructors and found Donna I’m so glad I did and wish I started with Donna from the start. My first lesson with Donna I was so scared but because of she was so calm and relaxed, it made me feel at ease. I had 2 hour she with Donna and over all we had 5 lesson in that time Donna taught me things I didn’t even know. And now I have passed my test thanks to Donna such an amazing driving instructor she made all my fears go away. Now I can take my little boys out for the day. Good luck to anyone in the future that goes with yes drive thank you so much again .from Kayleigh 🙂
Hi all,I just passed my test first time with the amazing Donna…I’d had lessons with 2 other instructors prior to meeting donna,but donna taught me things in the first 2 hour lesson that i hadnt learned in 20 from the other guys!Donna is calm, patient,very friendly and makes you feel very at ease in the car.she has a great way of explaining things and breaking a subject down so its easy to understand and digest.I am truly thankful for meeting Donna and my only regret is that I didn’t meet her sooner!she is an absolutely amazing woman and a real treasure!!!i would (and will)recommend donna and yes driving school to anyone looking for a great driving experience.thank you so sooo so much Donna and yes driving school,you guys rock!!!Gavin x
Bradbury Centre, 300 Aldermoor Rd, Southampton, Southampton SO16 5NA, UK