West Midlands
Name
Matthew L.
Location
West Midlands
Experience
20+ Years
Areas Covered
Kingswinford, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Birmingham South & West
Choose your Level
Select CourseOverview
Matthew is a West Midlands-based advanced driving coach whose career spans military service, frontline policing, and over a decade of professional driver training. A former West Midlands Police officer who served with the Operations Firearms Unit, Matthew achieved his police-grade advanced driving qualification through the force's rigorous six-week advanced driving course in 2011 (attaining a top-level Grade 1 pass).
Matthew brings to Driving Masters a rare combination: the calm, precision-oriented mind-set of a police advanced driver and the instructional depth of someone who has coached hundreds of drivers across every setting, from nervous learners to blue-light emergency responders and fleet drivers.
Core Expertise
- Advanced road-craft and hazard perception coaching, grounded in police System of Car Control methodology
- Fleet driver training and risk assessment
- Emergency response driving instruction
- ADI Part 2 and Part 3 examination preparation
- Safe trailer towing and home delivery specialist training
- Electric vehicle driver training
- Private hire driver assessment
Professional Background
West Midlands Police (2002 – 2014)
Matthew joined West Midlands Police as a Constable, undertaking mobile patrol, and crime investigation. His work was recognised with both a Chief Constable's Award and several OCU Commander's Awards. He later joined the Operations Firearms Unit as an armed response operative, where he completed his police advanced driving course and worked on high-profile firearms investigations.
Approved Driving Instructor (2015 – Present)
Matthew qualified as an ADI at first attempt across all three examinations. His instruction work has seen approximately 300 learner pupils through to test, and his current focus includes coaching trainee instructors through the ADI Part 2 and Part 3 qualifying examinations.
Qualifications & Accreditations
- Police Grade 1 Advanced Driver — West Midlands Police (2011, top-level pass)
- Five-Star Diploma in Advanced Driving — AA DriveTech
- ADI Badge Holder (current)
- Fleet Badge Holder (current)
- Category B Assessor
- TQM Assessor — AA DriveTech
- PEACE Model Interview — Level 2
- Police Pursuit Trained
- Safe Towing Trained
- Electric Vehicle Driver Training Qualified
- Private Hire Test Assessor
Coaching Philosophy
Matthew's approach is built on the same qualities that defined his police career: patience, precision, and an unshakeable calm under pressure.
He draws on the System of Car Control (the framework underpinning UK police advanced driving) to help clients build a systematic, repeatable approach to every journey, whether that means refining their observation and planning on a commute or managing a fully-laden van in difficult conditions.
With a track record of coaching drivers from every background — learners, fleet operators, emergency responders, and ADI candidates — Matthew adapts his delivery style to suit the individual in front of him. He believes that genuine progress comes from understanding the why behind every technique, not just following instructions. Every session is structured to give clients tools they will use for life.
What people say about Matthew L.
July 2026
Matthew was an amazing coach. My son thoroughly enjoyed himself and learned extremely relevant skills. He found Matthew reassuringly encouraging, enabling him to make choices whilst enabling development at pace. From the feedback my son gave me and seeing how his driving has improved significantly, I can only recommend this training wholeheartedly. A huge thanks to Matthew for his time and coaching!
Belal H.
Birmingham
June 2026
Hi David / Matt, Thank you for my notes & comments, all of which I find valid & very useful. A huge "thank you" to Matt for his non wavering & detailed, clear & concise instructions & suggestions during the long & hot day. I am happy to say I learnt a lot about better & safer driving techniques, and a lot about myself and the limitations, & how to "read ahead" along with how to look out for potential hazards by not only reading the road, but using other external "signals", such as dustbins & skid marks & high vehicles over hedges to determine where the road goes & other such indicators.
I am also happy with myself, in that whilst I am a mere 70 years old & my awareness & reaction times have slowed, and whilst it was not "perfect", my driving was not too bad, and that has given me some of my confidence back after the initial incident some weeks ago that prompted me to seek some help. I think / hope Matt was relaxed as he did not have to scream at me or take the keys away :-) !
So to wrap up, it was a well thought out & very well structured day & experience, and I will continue to use the additional skill sets that was imparted to me on the day. Thank you - Pete
Peter W.
Shropshire