your instructor

Sonny Sunderland ADI 

DVSA - Approved Driving Instructor

What did you do before becoming a driving instructor?

I became a police officer just before my 21st birthday.  In my 30 years of service, I worked in three different Force areas but mostly in London for the Metropolitan Police.  I had various roles and completed driving courses during my time with the Response Team.  After 30 years I reckoned I’d done my bit for Queen and country, decided to hang up my cape (old school!) and retire to do something different.

Why did you become a driving instructor?

After a chance conversation with a driving instructor I met and having spent 30 years helping people working in the police force, I knew I wanted to continue in that vein.

What do you enjoy about training people?

With driving instructing I know that the experience, understanding and skills I gained from working in the police, coupled with what I believe is my natural patience, helps others to develop a life skill that will allow them to flourish and achieve their best whilst developing safe drivers.

What’s your favourite car?

I’ve never really been a ‘petrol head’ but if I picked a favourite car from my past it would be the car my father taught me to drive in – a Colt Lancer. My father went from old banger to old banger; this one seemed to get lighter every day as something else fell off it, but as I learnt in the Lancer, I remember it very fondly.

What do you do when you’re not in the driving seat?

I bought a piano for my daughter a couple of years ago but found I enjoy playing it too so I’m learning a few tunes on it! I play indoor football on Sunday mornings and enjoy the odd game of badminton and table tennis. I like the cinema and theatre and enjoy playing bowls at a local bowls club. I love old places and buildings so I like exploring. Lastly I love taking a stress-relieving scenic ride on my Triumph Bonneville motorbike when the weather is good.

What’s your pet hate on the road?

I dislike seeing unsafe, selfish and inconsiderate driving.  I particularly dislike it when drivers do not give way to pedestrians and also find myself feeling rather frustrated if I’m trying to drive somewhere and the road signs are inadequate.  Where would the modern world be without Google Maps??

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

I have been on three cruises with my family and thoroughly enjoyed visiting different places every day.  In the UK I’m very fond of the South West, have travelled there many times and could easily be persuaded to finally retire there – many years from now of course!

Surprising fact about yourself?

I have owned a guitar, actually a few guitars, for over 30 years and I am little better now than when I first picked one up – I obviously need more time…!

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