SmartStart Driving School

Fantastic experience: Easily one of the best instructors regardless of what your skill level is. I started taking lessons with Martin without any prior driving experience, and he was able to bring my drivings skills up very quickly. Even though I'm a nervous wreck, I was able to pass my class 7 road test on my second attempt, and could've easily been my first attempt had I not been so anxious and forgetful that day haha. Martin is very quick to point out any weakpoint in your driving and gives detailed explanations to correct them. His advice gets even better if you're able to communicate exactly what issues you're having. Overall, Martin is amazing at helping you build your driving skills and confidence, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a driving instructor. 5/5 I'd also like to mention that his rates are very competitive compared to other instructors (Great bang for your buck). As a bonus, he can be very humourous at times. Thanks Martin!

Fantastic experience: As an older learner, I avoided driving for many years after failing N tests in my youth. I read Martin's reviews and was impressed, especially from people who were in my position. Even from the first lesson, I learned a lot of tips to improve different areas of driving. Martin is patient and attentive, but not afraid to give some tough love when it's needed. He really wants you to succeed, which I was able to do with 10 lessons in 3 months! I couldn't believe how fast I was able to learn and how confident I became at driving. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: Martin is a wonderful driving instructor. I had a crippling fear of driving before we first started our lessons, and I truly believed that I wouldn’t be able to conquer it. Martin has such a calming and reassuring demeanour, within our very first lesson I felt my anxiety massively diminish. He is patient and has a great sense of humour, and I would highly recommend him for driving lessons, especially if you have anxiety around driving!

Fantastic experience: Martin is a great driving instructor! His style is straightforward and tough at times, but his support and personalized guidance was pivotal in my success after three failed attempts with other instructors. He really teaches you the right skills and habits to succeed and have confidence in driving. I’d definitely recommend him!

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic experience with Martin. Patient, knowledgeable, and made learning to drive a breeze. He provided useful skills and tips to ensure that I pass my N. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Instructor was extremely helpful and was able to teach me the information in a positive way

Fantastic experience: Martin is a very good instructor to learn all the driving skills from. With his patience and the teaching methods he uses, I've learnt to drive confidently, smoothly and carefully. As he prepared me very well before the driving test, I was able to get my class 5 driver's license.

Fantastic experience: Martin is an excellent driving instructor who takes the time to go over the necessary skills to pass a road test with confidence. His patience, humor, and rapport helped me feel comfortable with driving. As a result, his instruction made my Class 7 road exam (for my N) less nerve-wracking. Thanks to Martin, I passed my road test feeling more self-assured. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a great driving instructor.

Fantastic experience: Martin is a true coach in addition to driving instructor. He will bring the best out of you whether you need tough love or gentle encouragement. He was personally very tough on me and as a result coached me in such a way that my Class 7 road exam (for my N) was significantly easier than many of my final lessons with him. He will instruct you to your highest potential during your time together, and as a result any exam you take you will feel over prepared for. No doubt in my mind. I passed my road test first try with no prior driving experience whatsoever thanks to Martin. I would recommend him to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Martin was the best instructor I ever had. I passed my road test the first time thanks to him. You won’t find a better professional than him

Fantastic experience: Martin was an amazing instructor, teaching with patience which is a must especially being a new learner when it comes to driving where there is no separate place for trial and error other than being on the road. He taught with multiple ways of doing different maneuvers, allowing a ton of room for learning and improving. And gives a great positive push to your confidence :) A big thank you to Martin!

Fantastic experience: Martin doesn’t sugarcoat anything and that’s what I like about him. His professionalism is commendable as he pushes you in a way that is much needed in order to build confidence on the road. Would recommend to others for sure! Edit: Just Passed my Class 7 Today, First Try!!!

Fantastic experience: I had a good experience!! Martin knows all the tricks to make you pass so there won’t be surprises on the road test.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend taking classes with Smart start Driving school. Very accommodating with your schedule and takes necessary precautions during this time. Special thanks to Martin for being a very good instructor. 5/5!

Fantastic experience: I had a great experience with Martin. I had absolutely no driving experience when I reached out to him. Within the first hour I had already gained confidence. He immediately finds your strengths and weaknesses and work with them. Brushes up on the strengths and corrects the weaknesses before they become bad habits. He was also super accommodating with scheduling and pick up locations. The anxiety that comes with new drivers didn't last long when he trained me. He brings a great energy that encourages quick learning.

Fantastic experience: I had a good experience with SmartStart! Martin is really knowledgeable (about driving and also about what ICBC is looking for when you do your road test / what the common mistakes people usually make are) and breaks things down really simply for you. I had a lot of anxiety about driving but passed and got my N on the first try!

Fantastic experience: Martin was a awesome driving instructor and always showed patience when I made mistakes. I recommend going here if your a first time test taker. I learned many useful skills and he made driving easy and fun.

Fantastic experience: Martin is a very knowledgeable and professional instructor. He knows his students' weaknesses and helps improve them. He makes sure that students are ready before going for road test. I passed my road test after taking classes with him. I highly recommend him to anyone going for road tests. Thank you SmartStart Driving School!

Fantastic experience: Great place to take driving lessons. My instructor helped me pass my Class 7 road test on the first try!

Fantastic experience: Martin was a great teacher. He helped to build my confidence and made me feel at ease on the road. I passed my road test first time! I would definitely recommend him to anyone. I am an older driver, so for me it was important that my instructor helped me get over my fears! Thanks Martin!

Fantastic experience: Martin is a very knowledgeable, patient and kind instructor who is very observant and good at identifying mistakes and helping to improve upon them. With his help I quickly improved from a beginner driver to passing my class 7 road test on my first attempt with minimal mistakes.

Fantastic experience: 2019 - If you’re looking for a patient, knowledgeable and amazing instructor, look no further. Martin helped me pass my Novice exam — I only wish I had found him sooner! 2021- Back to Martin for my Class 5 - passed in one try! Thankful to have met such a dedicated instructor.

Fantastic experience: Martin is an incredible instructor! He is very professional and easy to communicate with. He is great at recognizing your weaknesses and really pushes you to perfection. I had a great experience and was able to get my N on my first try. I would highly recommend him to others.

Fantastic experience: Martin is and will always be my best driving instructor. The first time that I met him 5 months ago in February, he knew exactly what I needed to work on after 4 unsuccessful tries on getting my N. He is very honest, polite, caring, heart warming and gives the best tough love for you to be safe, patient, well-mannered, and diligent on the road. He gave me the best advice that I should get my class 5 license first, be more comfortable on a regular car, build and establish my insurance first before driving a Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Acura's. He definitely knows what his teaching, experienced, and very good with tackling unsafe drivers. Without him I would not be able to know how to parallel and back park and pass my 5 try.

Fantastic experience: Martin truly is the reason why I passed and became a good & confident driver. Originally I had a lesson with a different instructor who was rude & impatient making me very nervous while driving. A few of my friends had lessons with Martin & said many good things about him. After my first lesson I knew I made the right choice. Martin is very patient and calm. He guides you through everything visually and verbally which is nice. He helps you build up your confidence by telling you what you’re good at and provides positive reinforcement when you make a mistake. He is honest and will tell you if he believes you are ready or not for your test (I passed on the first try). If you need an instructor I’d highly recommend Martin!

Fantastic experience: Mr. Kumar is an incredible teacher! He is so kind that even when I slept in through a lesson after an intense night of cramming for finals, he reimbursed the lesson and re-scheduled. He made the extra effort to fit around times that would work best for me and even gave some nice driving tips that I did not get from any other, more expensive driving school.

Fantastic experience: Martin is seriously the best driving instructor. I was very nervous to start driving and Martin talked me through it and gave me the confidence to feel comfortable behind the wheel. He really knows his stuff and is very good at explaining. Passed my road test the first time thanks to him. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: I am very pleased with the service I recieved from SmartStart Driving School. Martin is a great driving instructor! He corrects you in a calm manner and clearly has a passion for teaching. With the help of SmartStart, I managed to earn my driver's license on the first try. It is no wonder he the success rate that he has. He knows what he is doing!

Fantastic experience: Martin is a great instructor! He's very thorough and covers everything without overwhelming you or causing you anxiety. In fact, with his tips, I passed my Class 5 on my first attempt with zero mistakes. I highly recommend him!

Fantastic experience: Before my lesson I thought there wasn't anything left for me to learn, I've driven 30,000+ kms since getting my N and thought I pretty much had everything down pat. However, during my lesson I was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Kumar pointed out lots of little nit picky things that ICBC looks for that I had stopped doing since getting my class 7. The lesson was very helpful and I would definitely recommend SmartStart Driving School to anyone, even the most confident N drivers.

Fantastic experience: Smart Start Driving School provided me the oppurtunity to hone my driving skills to perfection. I have gone through several other schools of this nature, but have not come across anyone that instructs as well as Martin. The sessions are at a very reasonable price, which makes it very accessible to many other driving learners. I recommend this driving school to anyone else who is looking for a highly knowledgable driving school that allows triver to feel in control. Smart Start can provide the help that is needed in order to pass the exam with flying colours.

Fantastic experience: Passed on my first try. You can tell Mr.Kumar really knows his stuff.

Fantastic experience: Amazing driving instructor. When I started I didn't know much about driving besides the basics. Martin helped me learn the basics and beyond. He helped me pass the test with ease on my first try. He had an amazing positive attitude as well.