Starting 2026 with a perfect score - Twice!

What a start to the year!

In the space of just seven days, two of my pupils went to test for the very first time and both came back with the same result: a pass with zero driving faults.

Luca led the way on 31 January with a calm, controlled, almost unnervingly smooth drive. Seeing the examiner flip the ipad round to show a CLEAN SHEET was one of those moments that reminds me why I do this job.

Just five days later, on 5 February, Hannah followed in his footsteps. She took her own car and went with her dad, so I wasn’t there in the passenger seat to see it unfold, but the result speaks for itself. Zero faults, first attempt, and a well-deserved pass. Huge credit to Hannah for staying focused under pressure, and to her dad for putting in the work alongside her.

What these two results show is that it absolutely can be done in a manual car when preparation, consistency, and the right mindset come together. There’s no magic trick here, just solid foundations, plenty of practice, and students who were willing to listen, reflect, and put the effort in.

It’s a brilliant tone to set for 2026. No pressure to anyone else in the diary, but the bar has definitely been raised.

I’m incredibly proud of both of them, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year brings.