Expert instruction built on 45+ years of experience.
About
Foyle School of Driving, based in Derry, Northern Ireland, provides expert driver training and professional instructor development. With decades of experience, the school is committed to helping learners and aspiring instructors alike gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to drive and teach safely.
Combining professionalism, patience, and a tailored approach, Foyle School of Driving ensures every student—whether behind the wheel or preparing to train others—receives the highest standard of instruction and support.
Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle, founder of Foyle School of Driving, began his journey in driver education in 1978 as a volunteer motorbike instructor. Jim was recognised early on for his natural ability to teach and quickly developed a passion for helping others become safe and skilled drivers. What began as a voluntary role evolved into a respected career spanning over forty years.
Industry Expierence
Throughout his career, Jim has gained extensive experience across a wide range of vehicles, including lorries, buses, forklifts, and off-road machinery such as cranes, diggers, and airfield support equipment. In the 90’s, he earned his professional qualifications through the Road Transport Industry Training Board and went on to achieve Grade 6 Approved Driving Instructor status, the highest level attainable in the field.
In addition, Jim has trained over 500 driving instructors and continues to tutor examiners through the British Register of Industrial Truck Trainers and Operators (BRITTOP), sharing his expertise with the next generation of professionals.
Foyle School of Driving
When Jim established Foyle School of Driving in 1999, the school initially offered standard manual and automatic lessons. However, he soon recognised a lack of accessible driver training for people with disabilities, many of whom had to travel long distances to find suitable instruction. Determined to change this, Jim invested in a fully adapted automatic vehicle and developed a specialised training programme designed to meet the unique needs of learners with physical and mental disabilities.
Today, Foyle School of Driving remains one of only two schools in the region offering this vital service—continuing its mission to make driving education inclusive and accessible to all.
