Balhannah Driving School

5.0(22)

Ilinga Ave, Balhannah, South Australia, 5242

Balhannah Driving School in Balhannah
Patient with Nervous LearnersGood with TeensOverseas LicenceHigh Pass RateNamed Instructors
Lessons:AutomaticManual
Instructors:Martyn Critcher

Why Choose Balhannah Driving School?

Customers consistently praise Martyn Critcher's calm, patient teaching style, particularly for nervous and anxious learners. With over 30 years of experience and strong qualifications including MVDI certification and ADTA SA membership, Balhannah Driving School delivers focused VORT preparation and manual or automatic training across the Adelaide Hills and eastern suburbs.

About Balhannah Driving School

Balhannah Driving School brings over 30 years of driving instruction experience to learners across the Adelaide Hills and Adelaide's eastern suburbs. Run by qualified instructor Martyn Critcher, this family-owned driving school has built a near-perfect Google reputation helping learners of all ages get test-ready and confident on SA roads. Martyn is known for his calm, patient teaching style, something that really matters for nervous drivers and parents looking for the right instructor for their teenager. Reviews highlight how he helps anxious learners feel comfortable behind the wheel from lesson one, and parents regularly mention the positive impact he's had on their kids' confidence and road skills. Several learners have passed their VORT test first go under his instruction, which about his thorough test preparation. The school offers both automatic and manual driving lessons, along with overseas licence conversion courses and refresher lessons for those getting back behind the wheel. Martyn teaches in a 2024 Hyundai Kona and picks up learners throughout Balhannah, the Adelaide Hills, Adelaide's eastern suburbs, and even the CBD. With weekend availability and a member of the Australian Driver Training Association SA, this is a reliable choice for families seeking patient, professional driving instruction. Balhannah Driving School provides structured, supportive lessons that help learners become safe, confident drivers across South Australia, from first-time L-plate holders to those preparing for their P's.

Lesson Prices

Published lesson prices from $110
Lesson / PackageDetailsPrice
1 Hour60 min$110
1.5 Hours90 min$150
2 Hours120 min$200

Prices are published by Balhannah Driving School and may change — confirm current rates when booking.

Services

  • driving lessons
  • VORT preparation
  • overseas licence conversion
  • refresher lessons
  • manual vehicle training

What Customers Say on Google

Patience

Our daughter found Martyn a very good instructor, with his calm and clear instruction very good for a nervous driver. He helped her prepare well for her VORT test and got her P's today 1st go.

Confidence

As a very anxious driver with some previous bad experiences with instructors I was super nervous but after the first lesson I was super comfortable. Martyn is a very patient and thorough instructor.

Instructor

My son learnt more with Martyn after a few lessons than in previous instruction elsewhere. Martyn helped my son become a confident and safe driver.

Source: Google Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions About Balhannah Driving School

Yes. Instructor Martyn Critcher at Balhannah Driving School teaches both manual and automatic transmission. Whether you're learning from scratch or converting an overseas licence, he can tailor lessons to the gearbox you need. Published lesson prices start from around $110, confirm current rates when booking. He covers Balhannah, the Adelaide Hills, Adelaide's eastern suburbs, and the CBD, so pickup and lesson routes are flexible across the region.

Absolutely. Martyn is known locally for his calm, patient approach with anxious drivers. Families tell us he takes the time to build confidence step by step, which is especially reassuring for learners who've had negative experiences elsewhere or who feel nervous behind the wheel. Parents and adult learners alike mention that his clear communication and ability to adapt to each student's pace make a real difference, many anxious learners feel comfortable after just one lesson.

Yes. VORT preparation is a core service at Balhannah Driving School. Martyn has over 30 years' experience coaching learners through the Vehicle On Road Test in South Australia, and local families report their teens passing first go under his guidance. He'll cover test routes, manoeuvres, and the finer points the assessors watch for, so you're well-prepared and confident on test day. The school also offers refresher lessons for licence holders needing a tune-up.

Yes. Overseas licence conversion is a service Martyn provides at Balhannah Driving School. Whether you hold a licence from another country and need to meet SA requirements or simply want local road familiarisation, he'll tailor lessons to your experience level. His patient, clear teaching style suits drivers adjusting to Australian conditions, right-hand traffic, and Adelaide Hills routes. Contact the school to discuss your licence background and lesson plan.

Parents consistently highlight Martyn's skill with teenage learners. He's patient, calm, and has a knack for building confidence in younger drivers who may be nervous or slow to progress. Local families tell us their kids made faster progress with Martyn than they'd seen elsewhere, and several teens passed their VORT first attempt. His clear instruction and friendly approach mean teenagers actually look forward to lessons, a big plus when you're booking for your child's driving adventure.

Contact Details

Address
Ilinga Ave, Balhannah, South Australia, 5242

How Balhannah Driving School Compares

in Mount Barker

Rated 5.0 above the Mount Barker average of 4.7
This biz
5.0
Average
4.7

More reviews than 57% of driving schools in Mount Barker

Overseas Licence — 1 of 2 in Mount Barker

Opening Hours

Monday
7am-6pm
Tuesday
7am-6pm
Wednesday
7am-6pm
Thursday
7am-6pm
Friday
7am-6pm
Saturday
7am-6pm
Sunday
7am-6pm

Business Details

Service Areas
Balhannah, Adelaide Hills, eastern suburbs of Adelaide, Adelaide CBD
Certifications
Qualified Motor Vehicle Driving Instructor (MVDI), Member of the Australian Driver Training Association SA (ADTA SA), Police Clearance, Working with Children Clearance (WWCC), St John First Aid Training
Payment Methods
Credit cards, Debit cards
Pricing
Note - from Feb 1 2026 GST will be added to the prices listed.

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