Take the Leap with Optimus Drive
About Us
Dave and Stephanie started Optimus Drive to give both pupils and instructors freedom on the roads. Starting in Consett with only Dave providing lessons, Optimus Drive has quickly become a successful business across the entirety of the North East with many instructors joining their fleet.
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At the heart of everything that we do is our passion for safety and our commitment to our students. We know that the freedom to drive can be a game changer, so are you ready to take the leap? Get in touch with us today to learn more about Optimus Drive and what we can do to get you on the roads, whether that's as a pupil or an instructor.
OUR TEAM
Get to know us before you step foot in the car.
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We're a friendly and approachable bunch who pride ourselves on being patient, understanding and helpful when it comes to getting you passed your driving test.
Stephanie Longstaff
Admin & Automatic Instructor
If you're booking your lessons or trying to find a test date, Steph will be the person on the other end of the phone. Going above and beyond to make sure students get lessons at a time that works for them and working all hours securing cancellation tests to beat the covid delay, Steph is always a delight to talk to!
Dave Bell
Manual Driving Instructor
The man in the passenger seat, Dave always puts his students at ease. Easy to talk to with the patience of a saint, Dave has the perfect temperament for novices and experienced drivers alike. You can read our glowing reviews to find out what past pupils think of him, and how he's boosted their confidence behind the wheel!
Steven Hindson
Manual Driving Instructor
Steven was the first Driving Instructor we took on to expand our fleet at Optimus Drive. As our Manual Instructor covering Stanley, Chester-le-Street and surrounding areas, they’re committed to providing students with the skills and tools necessary to continue their learning journey.
Melissa Young
Automatic Driving Instructor
Several years after passing her test with Optimus Drive, Melissa joined our fleet in 2023 after initially getting the idea of becoming a driving instructor through Dave and Stephanie. Watching them enjoy their work all day every day and the smiles they had on their faces when someone passed made her want to help people gain confidence behind the wheel and achieve something they've worked so hard towards!
Nick Sharma
Manual Driving Instructor
Joining us in March 2024, Nick became a driving instructor because he wanted to help people gain confidence on the road and become safe drivers. He enjoys this job because he gets to see students improve, overcome their fears and achieve their goals. There's nothing better than seeing someone go from nervous to confident behind the wheel!
Kirsty Gee
Manual Driving Instructor
Kirsty believes that the key to your car is the key to freedom, which is why she wanted to teach people how to drive safely on the roads. Her favourite part of the job is the pride she gets in seeing people she's taught with no previous knowledge go on to pass their driving test and have that freedom to be on the roads.
Kerry Hinds
Manual Driving Instructor
Kerry offers manual driving lessons and is a great asset to the Optimus Drive team. He offers lessons to pupils based in Consett, Stanley, Durham, Rowlands Gill and the surrounding areas.
Jamie Finney
Manual Driving Instructor
Like the majority of our fleet, Jamie offers Manual driving lessons to pupils who are based in Consett, Stanley, Rowlands Gill, Durham and the surrounding areas.
Dan Sheldrick
Automatic Driving Instructor
Dan joined the Optimus Drive fleet as a Driving Instructor who offers Automatic Driving Lessons to pupils based in Consett, Stanley, Rowlands Gill, Durham and the surrounding areas.
Chris Richardson
Manual Driving Instructor
Chris joined the team at Optimus Drive in 2025, and offers Manual Driving Lessons in Ryton, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Ponteland, Corbridge and surrounding areas.
Michael Lightfoot
Automatic Driving Instructor
As an Automatic Driving Instructor, Michael joined our team in 2025 and offers Automatic Driving Lessons to pupils based in Gateshead, Whickham, Sunniside, Swalwell, Blaydon and the surrounding areas.
Join Our Fleet
Take the leap and change your career.
If you're over 21 and have a clean driving licence which you've held for more than 3 years, you could be our next recruit at Optimus Drive. ​A rewarding job with flexible hours and pay as you go training, why not change your career and become a driving instructor?