Business Details
19 Years
experience
Driving Lessons Edinburgh with Qualified Instructors
Established in 2007, Drive Me Bananas has built a reputation for delivering high-quality driving instruction across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our team of fully qualified DVSA ADIs specialises in tailored driving lessons, including intensive crash courses and weekly sessions, designed to accommodate diverse schedules and budgets. We prioritise structured training to reduce both time and cost for learners, ensuring they develop into safe, confident drivers. Our expertise extends to advanced training for B+E car and trailer tests, D1 minibus qualifications, and C1 lorry certifications, supported by instructors with vocational experience in LGV and PCV vehicles. Customer testimonials consistently highlight our patient, approachable teaching style and high pass rates, including first-time successes. We serve areas including Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, and Scottish Borders, offering flexible solutions for learner drivers of all experience levels.
Services
Driving Lessons
Intensive Courses
B+E Trailer Training
D1 Minibus Training
C1 Lorry Training
Served areas
- Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian, Fife
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 16+ years of experience in driving instruction since 2007
- Our DVSA-qualified instructors provide tailored lesson plans
- Specialist training for B+E trailer, D1 minibus, and C1 lorry tests
- Proven success with first-time test passes and intensive courses
- Customer testimonials highlight friendly, patient teaching methods
Associations and certifications
- DVSA
What people say
Friendly instructors
Patient teaching style
First-time pass success
Tailored lesson plans
Highly recommend
Services
Driving Lessons
Professional driving instruction in Edinburgh and Lothians using DVSA-qualified instructors. Lessons cater to all skill levels, focusing on practical skills and test preparation. Structured courses reduce training time and costs while ensuring road safety proficiency.
Intensive Courses
Accelerated driving programs designed for rapid skill development. Courses combine theory and practical training to prepare learners for tests efficiently. Ideal for those requiring quick certification with flexible scheduling options available.
B+E Trailer Training
Specialist training for car and trailer combinations, including test preparation. Instructors hold vocational licences with extensive towing experience. Covers reversing exercises, road safety, and practical test requirements for B+E category certification.
D1 Minibus Training
Certification courses for D1 minibus licences, including practical test preparation. Training covers vehicle handling, passenger safety, and regulatory compliance. Designed for drivers transitioning to commercial minibus operation.
C1 Lorry Training
Heavy goods vehicle training for C1 licence holders. Includes 7.5-ton lorry instruction with focus on manoeuvring, load safety, and test preparation. Instructors have vocational experience with LGV and PCV vehicles.
People
Jonathan
Lead Driving Instructor
Experienced DVSA-qualified instructor specialising in car, trailer, and minibus training. Known for patient teaching methods and high first-time pass rates. Provides practical, confidence-building lessons tailored to individual learner needs.
Dimtris
Driving Instructor
Skilled instructor offering comprehensive driving tuition with focus on Edinburgh city centre routes. Combines technical expertise with relaxed teaching style to ensure effective learning experiences for new drivers.
Questions
What areas do you cover for driving lessons?
We provide lessons across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders, and surrounding areas including Glasgow, Perth, and Dundee.
Do you offer intensive driving courses?
Yes, we offer accelerated programmes combining theory and practical training to prepare learners for tests efficiently, with options for fast-track completion.
Are your instructors DVSA qualified?
All our instructors hold current DVSA ADI qualifications and undergo regular assessments to maintain teaching standards and regulatory compliance.
Can you help with B+E trailer tests?
Yes, we specialise in B+E car and trailer training with experienced vocational instructors who have passed DVSA trailer tests themselves.
What vehicle types do you train for?
We offer training for cars, trailers (B+E), minibuses (D1), and 7.5-ton lorries (C1), with qualified instructors for each specialist category.
Reviews (16)
Emmanuel Ogugua
Feb 09, 2026
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Jonathan is a cool and sound instructor. He made sure I stayed consistent with what examiners look out for on the test day and also teach you how to be a safe driver.
Luke Berriman
Jan 13, 2026
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Jonathan was an extremely helpful and thoughtful instructor. I had a crash course with him in which I learned valuable and useful skills that helped me pass my test first try! Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for an instructor.
Pamela Cairney
Jun 15, 2025
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I am beyond grateful to have had Johnathan as my driving instructor. From our very first lesson, he created a calm and welcoming environment that made me feel at ease behind the wheel. His clear and patient guidance helped me build confidence and develop the skills I needed to pass my driving test first time. Not only is he an excellent teacher, but he also has some legendary chat and I genuinely enjoyed hanging out with him. I truly appreciate all his efforts and highly recommend him to anyone looking to learn to drive. Thank you, Jonathan!
Patrick Nolan
Nov 03, 2021
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If you want to pass your test first time, Dimitris is the instructor you need, professionalism and care of your needs are met to the highest standard with him. Highly recommend Dimitris being your instructor, he's got such a system where you properly! learn how to drive, enjoy your driving and then a bullet proof plan to getting your license. Thanks Dimitris!
David Chapman
Apr 26, 2021
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A really positive and relaxed driver training course. I had 2 days of training and passed the C1 test first time. I can't recommend Jonathan and Drive me Bananas highly enough.
Joanne Stewart
Mar 19, 2017
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I used drivemebananas after being recommended by a friend in preparation of a trailer test. Jonathan was a brilliant and thorough instructor and made the whole experience clear and kept it interesting! Sat the test and passed first time although if I had failed it would have been nothing to do with the training I received and I would have definitely taken more lessons with Jonathan until booking a second test. Would highly recommend this company to anyone!
Jack Lacey
Mar 01, 2017
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My instructor Dimitri was punctual, calm and professional. Thoroughly enjoyed learning with him and passed first time. Would recommend him with anyone as he provides a quality service.
Lauren Jeanie Simpson
Jun 16, 2016
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Great driving school. I have had two instructors from here one for my standard driving test and the other for my trailer test. Passed first time for car test. Fantastic tuition. I do wonder if previous reviewers are aware that this is a driving school, learners make mistakes, it's why they are learners!
Donna Crawford
May 15, 2016
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My instructor Jonathan made me feel at ease from the very first lesson he had more faith in my driving than I did which encouraged me more! Would recommend to family and friends wanting to learn to drive without hesitation and I passed first time!
Lainey Cahill
Apr 23, 2016
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I learnt to drive two years ago with Jonathan at Drive me bananas. As someone with a physical disability, I struggled to find anyone who offered adapted vehicle lessons in the central belt of Scotland. Turns out the only company offering the types of lessons I needed happened to be the best! From start to finish Jonathan was patient, kind and easy to learn with. He was full of humour and stories to make you feel at ease and even when you werent doing your best in a lesson he would keep you right with a calm voice and some witty comments. To this day I often quote Jonathan's words of wisdom. Very much recommend this company to all looking to build their driving skills!
Jennifer Jones
Jan 22, 2016
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I can be pretty hard to teach, and I ask a lot of questions. Jonathan was the most laid back instructor I ever had. I had to sit my test to obtain a UK licence after learning in USA and the previous two driving schools I tried did not have the patience I needed. I passed after around 6 lessons. I would definitely recommend this driving school.
Karen Vernon
Jan 18, 2016
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I have to say Jonathan had the patience of a saint when I was learning to drive, he made me feel at ease and each lesson was different. It did take me 6 attempts thou but he always said work on what it is you failed on. I'm now hoping he keeps his business going as I want to put my oldest daughter through her lessons with Jonathan and have recommended Drive me Bananas to friends
Graham Ralston
Jonathan went well above and beyond the call of duty by clearing the snow and ice from the test center reversing area to allow my test to go ahead. His clear instruction made the whole process very straight forward. Many thanks for getting me through my B+E car and trailer test.
Stephen Reid
Spent 4 hrs with Johnathan and then passed a B+E test first time with flying colours. Would recommend Bananas Driver Training. To anyone if they are considering to learn to drive.
Johnathan was friendly, and generally was a great instructer.
Johnathan was friendly, and generally was a great instructer.
Lorraine Cahill
Learnt to drive with Jonathan in and around Edinburgh City centre. Throughout he was supportive, relaxing and would give ideas and personal experiences that made learning to drive an experience to remember! Would recommend his company to everyone! Excellent!
Darren Kinsey
Firstly I would like to thank Jonathan for all his hard work in getting me ready for my test in such a short length of time. I had my first lesson on the 18th of August 09 and I passed my test today (15/10/09). Jonathan was always punctual and he put me at ease from the very first lesson. He was very clear when he was teaching anything and he was happy to go through anything I felt I needed to do again. Jonathan's relaxed attitude played a big part in me passing so quickly and first time. I would highly recommend doing your lessons with Drive Me Bananas as it is an amazing driving school. Thanks again Jonathan.