Our instructors
Benjamin Ford
Manual Driving Instructor – 077 915 656 16
Benjamin Ford is a dedicated driving instructor with a rich and varied background that contributes to his exceptional teaching abilities. With a career spanning multiple disciplines, Benjamin brings a unique blend of patience, expertise, and a passion for helping others to his role at Able 2 Drive.
Early Career and Achievements: Before becoming a driving instructor, Benjamin Ford worked in the leisure industry, holding various roles that honed his skills in leadership and instruction. During this time, he discovered his passion for teaching and coaching groups of young people. As a teaching assistant specialising in special educational needs, including autism and ADHD, he further equipped himself with the patience and adaptability essential for driving instruction. Additionally, his qualifications as a car mechanic have provided him with a practical understanding of vehicle maintenance, which he integrates into his teaching to help students drive efficiently and avoid unnecessary wear-and-tear on their cars.
Personal Passions and Hobbies: An outdoor enthusiast, Benjamin enjoys challenge walks, coastal path explorations, and Canadian canoeing. Despite his busy schedule, he dedicates time to his allotment, where he grows fruit for his hobby of wine making. Since 2018, Benjamin has perfected his skills in making various fruit wines, finding the process a relaxing way to unwind after a busy week.
Counselling and Teaching Philosophy: Currently qualifying as a therapeutic counsellor, Benjamin embraces a person-centred approach, inspired by Carl Rogers. His counselling training has enriched his teaching methods, helping him empower his students and support them beyond just driving skills. Benjamin’s patience and calm demeanour make him particularly adept at working with students who suffer from anxiety. He believes in a gentle, understanding approach, stating, “No one thinks it’s acceptable to shout at a child who is learning to walk, so why think it’s okay to shout when you are teaching someone to drive a ton’s worth of metal?”
Specialties and Teaching Approach:
- Breaking Bad Habits: Benjamin excels at helping students unlearn poor techniques acquired, using logical and individualised teaching methods.
- Calm and Patient: Known for his abnormal patience, Benjamin ensures a supportive and stress-free learning environment.
- Personalised Instruction: He tailors his teaching style to each student’s needs, fostering a positive and effective learning experience.
- Anxiety Management: Specialising in working with anxious drivers, Benjamin uses his counselling skills to provide reassurance and build confidence.
Instructor Training and Innovation: Since qualifying as an instructor in April 2014, Benjamin has continuously evolved his teaching materials, including a personalised booklet system that tracks student progress. He is currently studying to become an ORDIT registered instructor with the DVSA, a testament to his commitment to professional growth. Benjamin has further refined his own skills, embracing new challenges that push him as an instructor.
Vehicle: A reliable and robust Toyota Auris 1.4 diesel.
Jon Ford
Automatic Driving Instructor – 0797 659 6669
Jon Ford is an accomplished driving instructor with a diverse professional background and a deeply ingrained passion for teaching. With over 40 years of experience in driving instruction, Jon combines his extensive knowledge with a personal touch that has made him a beloved figure in the Hucknall community.
Professional Background: Jon originally qualified as an electrical engineer at Leeds University. He is a fully qualified EITB Electrical Industry Training Board Instructor. Jon worked as a lift engineer, describing it as an “up-down job” that he didn’t enjoy much. He then worked in the amusement industry as a service engineer, workshop engineer, supervisor, and service manager. Jon eventually started his first self-employed venture as a taxi owner with Dart Hire Limited based in Hucknall in 1981. In 1984, he began working for the original owner of Able 2 Drive, Steve O’Donohue, as a driving instructor.
Specialties and Skills: Jon is known for his calm and thorough teaching style, adept at communicating with people from all walks of life and adapting to pupils with special needs. His dedication to his students is evident in his longstanding career as a manual driving instructor, though recently he has shifted to teaching automatic due to increased demand. Jon’s ability to bring out the best in his students was recognised early in his career when he was named Nottingham’s Driver of the Year in 1978.
Teaching Philosophy: Jon’s teaching philosophy is simple yet effective: “I adapt to the people who are in my car and help them achieve their needs and requirements.” This flexible approach ensures that each student’s learning experience is personalised and effective.
Personal Background: Outside of teaching, Jon is a social butterfly with a love for games of pool and chess. He is a passionate supporter of Notts County Football Club and has been involved in sponsoring local youth teams in the Hucknall area. Family is at the core of Jon’s life; he enjoys long walks with his dogs and exploring new places with his grandchildren.
Vehicle: Jon currently drives a Toyota Yaris Automatic Hybrid, chosen for its reliability and ease of use, making it an excellent learning vehicle for his students.
Clayton
Manual Driving Instructor
Clayton is our newest member of the team with a wealth of real-world driving experience, having covered over a million miles across the UK. His extensive time on the road has given him a deep understanding of traffic, road conditions, and practical driving skills, which he brings into every lesson. Known for his calm and patient personality, Clayton creates a relaxed and supportive learning environment where pupils can build confidence and become safe, capable drivers.
Vehicle: Hyundai i20.
