ComfortDelGro Driving Centre

TESTIMONIALS

One Team System Makes Learning Easier

I am writing with great pleasure to compliment the following 2 driving instructors who had taught me for almost all of my lessons here with CDC. I believe that it is their professionalism and positive attitude, displayed throughout my lessons with CDC, that I walked out of CDC as a qualified Class 3 driver. They are Mr David Lim and Mr Alvin Tan.

When I registered with CDC, my opinions of driving centres are that they are places where people learn to drive. But today, my opinion of CDC has become a place where people learn to drive safely. This is largely due to the abovementioned instructors emphasising the importance of driving safely; for myself , for everyone.

As a young working adult, the only time slot I can have my driving lessons is the last slot ending at 2200hrs. Both my instructors displayed patience in teaching, understanding that learners with full-time jobs in the day might feel exhausted as night falls.

During lessons, mistakes made by me will be pointed out. But what is value adding is that the instructors would give me suggestions on how to improve on it and sometimes even resolving the issue. Besides being taught how to drive safely, I was also being nurtured to drive smoothly from the start. I believe the combination of these 2 factors is a guaranteed formula to being a socially responsible driver.

Being in the One-Team system makes learning easier. I never once had to worry about meeting different instructors with different styles, standards and methods of teaching. One-Team also ensures that I will be using the same training vehicle for all my lessons. This also eliminates the need for me to adjust to different vehicles. During my warm-up drive for the Traffic Police Practical Driving Test, I was surprised that the car I will be using for the test was the same as the one I always used for lessons. I was clueless about the arrangement until I saw Mr Lim having lessons in another vehicle. That was when I realised what arrangement had been made prior to my driving test.

My sincere gratitude to Mr David Lim and Mr Alvin Tan. For without them, my journey with CDC would have been different. Not forgetting the staff in CDC who had in one way or another contributed to not only me but all the learners who walked out of CDC with a qualified driving licence in hand. I would, without a doubt, recommend people I know to learn with CDC, a place providing safe driving education to the public by nurturing their learners to become socially responsible drivers.

Thank you.

Ng Y X

It's not only about getting a licence

I never planned to take up driving as I was extremely afraid to be on the road especially after losing loved ones in road accidents. However, I braced myself so I can drive my parents around in our family car since my dad can no longer drive for too long due to age.

At first, I was contemplating between private and school due to to difference in rates. I decided to enroll with CDC as my friends advised that school provides better information, skills and knowledge a good driver needs. It is not only about getting a licence but I believe that CDC nurtures you to be a good, skilful and safe driver.

I was still half-hearted after my first few practical lessons with different instructors but it all changed when I met Instructor David Lim. Instructor David is an amazingly patient instructor. Though he had to put up with me, a slow learner (despite numerous explanations from him), he never failed to encourage, keep me calm and build the confidence in me. There were times when I would get very upset with myself for not getting the techniques right and was on the verge of giving up. Instructor David never failed to cheer me up and continued to encourage me. He goes the extra mile by checking and ensuring my doubts are cleared before the end of every practical lesson. The best part of my practical is when he starts to draw on a paper to explain my mistakes. Trust me, it helped for a slow learner like myself! Instructor David did not only treat me like a learner but also like a friend, with the professionalism to show it mattered to him how well I did. He would also incorporate humour in order to lessen my nervousness. This is another reason why I am truly grateful to him.

I still remember his words, "My job is not just to teach but to ensure you become a skilful and safe driver and pass your Traffic Police test". His invaluable knowledge and safety skills have been imparted to me. This was proven when I passed my Traffic Police test on my very first attempt! Even the Traffic Police tester commented that I can drive well. Never would I have ever thought that a Traffic Police tester would say that to me! Not only did I walk away with a driving licence, but I now have the confidence to drive on the roads. All this would not have happened without the excellent teaching of Instructor David.

Enrolling in CDC was my best decision and having an excellent and fantastic teacher like Instructor David was the icing on the cake. Thank you Instructor David! No words can express how grateful I am to you.

On a side note, I would also like to thank the Warm-up Instructor, Mr Muhd Fazli who gave me words of encouragement right before I went for my Traffic Police test. That helped very much to calm my nerves.

Thank you guys!

Ayu

45 and Under Pressure to Pass

At age 45, I had to clear my Final Theory and pass my Practical Driving Test in a maximum period of 6 months before I leave my home country again for work. And I did it effectively speaking in 3 months, clearing both Final Theory and Practical Driving Test at first attempt with CDC.

Apart from time pressure, I was also under some psychological pressure to just do it. Some of my good friends were joking to me about it being an embarrassment to learn driving at an "auntie age" 45, let alone failing the test! Another joked about so and so getting a yacht licence and I did not even have the basic and fundamental car licence! To top it all, I have zero intelligence and affinity to motors and engines...gosh, for me it was a bit too much to bear.

So you can imagine how much I appreciated the experience I had with CDC. I would like to thank especially Mr Kolji Cheng, Mr Nelson Pay, Mr Tan Thian Huat, Mr Nizan, Mr Michael Choo, Mr Michael Low, Mr Lawrence Goh, Mr Tan Kay Liang, Mr Aziz Embong, Mr Lenny Tan and Mr Davin James Cook - you helped me through this. My heartfelt thanks and I will always remember you wherever I drive in any four corners of the world!

Obviously CDC instructors are professional, that goes without saying or doubt. What impressed me was as individuals, they were great sources of inspiration to me at the various, different stages of my learning curve, technically and mentally. I am saying this from the perspective of being a student from the common pool without a fixed instructor (until the last week of training just before the test date).

Every time an instructor told me I made a mistake, I would roll my eyes and said to myself "Isn't that obvious? Why are you telling me the obvious?" Next, the instructor would correct my mistake by "remote driving", steer left, steer right, depress brake etc. I thought to myself "Oh come on." (And yes, I was not an easy student either). Mr Nelson Pay (14 lessons), Mr Michael Choo (2 lessons), Mr Raymond Kaw (1 lesson) were the instructors that made a lot of difference for students like me. Alert and sharp like eagles, they were able to see and explain why I was making the mistakes I made. They remind me of those great teachers in schools whom we, the naughty students will never ever forget. Thank you for your brilliance!

And I was lucky to be able to have more of Mr Nelson Pay's time and I like to thank him especially for his patience, well like they say "naughty students are challenging but they may surprise you with great results". Thank you, Nelson for everything. I told you I would not cause you to "leak breath" and I kept my promise. Passing at first attempt with 8 demerit points, not the best, but good enough?

At some point, I detested every "mechanical action" that I needed to do to take control of the car, on the verge of giving up... Mr Tan Thian Huat said to me "Jenny, don't worry, if in the end you don't master in one lesson, take another one. We can do it slowly". These for me were invaluable words of wisdom from a fatherly figure who understood that I was getting angry at myself.

Mr Nizan (1 lesson) gave me the "strategic big picture" about all the left, right turns at junctions, controlled junctions and U-turns. I needed that badly because I dreaded so much the tactics and mechanical actions without understanding them fully.

Despite a lot of practice, I still couldn't get my head, hands and feet around the correction technique when parking...what a mess! That one and only lesson I had with Mr Lawrence Goh did it. He turned complexity into a simple and effective solution. A talented creative instructor indeed! I thank you Lawrence, and yes, "Every day is a Sunday!".

Mr Michael Low (1 lesson) enlightened me about staying calm and positive during the entire process of the practical test; even when big mistakes were made or when passing the test might seem impossible. 7th July was the day for "the moment of truth", I thought I was going to fail, but I remembered what you said, applied it and triumphed in the end. Thank you Mr Mentor!

Mr Tan Kay Liang (2 lessons), Mr Aziz Embong (1 lesson), Mr Lenny Tan (1 lesson) and Mr Davin James Cook (1 lesson); thank you for words of compliments and encouragement. They boosted my much needed confidence.

And Mr Kolji Cheng...Kolji is a sweet heart. When I presented my antique-looking "Passed Basic Theory Test Card" dated 1988 (that white card which some of us might be familiar with) to Kolji at the counter, he gave me a witty response plus a heartwarming smile. I was sure that I had enrolled at the right school then.

That was not just another superficial smile, it was genuine through and through. I had a request and Mr Kolji Cheng made it happen effectively. On the eve of my practical test, Kolji was around telling me "You will pass and now go home and get some sleep".

It was a wonderful experience at CDC. What I did not expect was the genuine care and concern they gave like teachers would give to students unconditionally. today, not only do I leave CDC with a driving licence, I take with me the belief that there is still warmth in this world. It is a good feeling.

As we all know, “hardware” or systems without good “software” or people does not work. And I am very sure that CDC already know you have good people who made that great difference to your school !

Mr Kolji Cheng, Mr Nelson Pay, Mr Tan Thian Huat, Mr Nizan, Mr Michael Choo, Mr Michael Low, Mr Lawrence Goh, Mr Tan Kay Liang, Mr Aziz Embong, Mr Lenny Tan and Mr Davin James Cook - thank you all once again. We as students know you are the "unsung heroes" of our lives. My very best wishes to you all in whatever you do.

Yours sincerely,

J. Low

Letter of Commendation

I am writing to you to commend the high quality of instruction your driving centre has provided me in the past 8 months.

Thanks to your instructors, I have been able to pass my Class 3 driving test on my first attempt. My Tester said that I had received not just excellent training in the techniques and skills of driving, but also excellent education on various road hazards and how to react to them adequately.

Out of all the instructors who had taught me, I wish to commend the following for their patience and skills in teaching.

Firstly, instructor Bahtera, who laid the foundational driving skills in me and did not grow frustrated despite the numerous times I stalled thes cart or drove out of my lane. Bahtera has the ability to calm the novice learner driver down and continue to have him think rationally, even in highly stressful situations like the U-turn along Jalan Eunos.

Secondly, instructor Tan Puan Jit, who took me out onto the main roads. He was able to summarise much conventional wisdom of driving into simple, easy to remember rules like “Students alsong the side of the road means imminent jaywalking” and “Avoid taxis at all cost!”

Thirdly, instructor Ching Ka Fai, who took the most sessions with me. Instructor Ching has found many innovative ways to allow a learner to leaern faster and better. One of which is experiential learning where he deliberately lets the learner make a mistake (albeit under safe conditions) in order for the learner to know the limits and never do it again.

Last, but definitely not least, I wish to commend Mr Arthur Lian, the Student Affairs Officer, who has been helping me since day 1. Mr Lian took a personal interst in my driving lessons and called me up frequently to check on my progress. When my Practical Driving Test grew closer, his efforts to secure several last-minute lessons were invaluable and were a large contributing factor to my performance during the test. He became some sort of mentor figure to myself as he was always in touch with me and I could always look for him in event of a problem.

The abovementioned staff truly exemplify the high service standards which CDC is famed for. Having shared my experiences with my peers who do not attend CDC, I am convinced that CDC offers both the highest standards of instruction and service (and yes, you can quote me on that). I would not hesitate to recommend others to your driving centre. Thank you.

Tay W. H.

Choosing CDC was a brilliant choice!

I had always been a nervous wreck whenever I got into a car to drive. I had lessons previously with a private instructor and was making slow progress despite an enormous number of lessons for over one and a half year. After more than six months into lessons, I was still cruising along Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang and whenever I persuaded my instructor to teach me how to park, he became irritable and brought me down by criticizing my driving skills and said I wasn't ready for it at all. I gave up asking. Lessons were monotonous and I did not learn any new skill. I got so bored and demoralized that I had to drag my feet to his lesson every week. I recalled the first time I went into circuit was more than a year after I started taking practical lessons and it took me almost two months to convince my instructor. It was a thrilling experience - like my first visit to Disneyland. In total, I practised in the circuit for about six times before taking my first test.

After failing practical tests twice, I had basically consigned myself to the fact that I would never pass and was on the verge of giving up until my relative suggested I gave CDC a try. I enrolled for the Express Course and began my first lesson on 3 March 2012.

Choosing CDC was a brilliant choice! I got my Class 3A driving licence on 18 May 2012, two and a half months after I enrolled with CDC. This would not have been possible if not for the expertise of your two excellent instructors - Mr Nelson Pay and Mr Lawrence Goh. I have to let you know what valued employees you have. They are first rate!

Mr Nelson Pay's lessons were well-structured, thorough and enjoyable. His extremely friendly, professional, focused and knowledgeable approach set a very good mood during lessons. Mr Pay is a very experienced, patient and calm instructor, and from my very first lesson with him, I felt safe and confident behind the wheel. He is also helpful and encouraging. I always could ask him questions without having to worry that he would think I'm dumb. Mr Pay gave me so much confidence and reassurance that I completed each lesson feeling like I'm one step closer to passing my test. Under his care and guidance, driving is no longer a nerve-wrecking or scary experience. On top of all this, was the always appreciated offering of his minty sweets at the beginning of his lessons. I could not have been in better hands.

Mr Lawrence Goh has a very unique and effective teaching style. He is skillful, patient and observant and he gave invaluable advice. He watched and figured out the mistakes that I was making during lessons and gave me constructive feedback before showing me how to do it correctly in a calm and professional way by giving me detailed instructions and did not give up until I learned the ropes. Mr Goh really made what can be complicated instructions very straightforward and clear. He has a way of explaining things that is easy to understand. As such, he was able to explain all manoeuvres and techniques so perfectly that I felt very capable and was thoroughly prepared to take my test. I had a great time and learned so much under his guidance. He is a great guy and I felt extremely comfortable with him and could see myself improving after each lesson. I am truly inspired by him. Not everyone has such a gift and I am deeply impressed.

Besides imparting driving skills and techniques, My Pay and Mr Goh constantly stressed on the importance of obeying traffic and safety rules and regulations. I wasn't just taught to pass my test but also to be a socially responsible driver. Indeed, both of them are true credits to CDC!

Whereas I had always struggled to with driving before, and to be honest, never really enjoyed it, Mr Nelson Pay and Mr Lawrence Goh taught me in a way that now it feels so natural and enjoyable to drive a car. Although I live a bit far away, I would not hesitate to recommend them and CDC to anyone who wishes to learn how to drive - my only regret was not coming to you in the first instance.

Sim A. P.