Meet your instructor

Richard Bailey ADI

Forty-four years behind the wheel, eleven of them teaching — and an 88% first-time pass rate to show for it.

Richard Bailey standing beside the Cheltenham Driver Training car

88%First-time
pass rate

The story

A lifetime
of driving

Richard became a full licence holder in 1982 and spent decades mastering every vehicle class — from Class 3 lorries and articulated vehicles to coaches. He drove professionally across the UK and Continental Europe before turning that lifetime of experience into teaching.

In 2015, after 30 years behind the wheel, Richard became a driving instructor with one goal: to create safer, more confident drivers — not just drivers who pass, but drivers who thrive for life.

His approach is calm, honest, and entirely tailored to each learner. He listens, adapts, and meets every student exactly where they are — whether it's a nervous beginner or someone returning after years away.

ADI Qualified DBS Checked CPD Certified 44 Years Driving Fully Insured

Experience

Four decades
on the road

1982
Full licence holder
Richard passes his test and begins a career that will take him through every vehicle class on the road.
1980s–2010s
Professional driver — UK & Europe
Class 3 lorries, articulated vehicles and coaches, driven professionally across the UK and Continental Europe.
2015
Qualifies as an Approved Driving Instructor
After 30 years behind the wheel, Richard turns that experience into teaching and founds Cheltenham Driver Training.
2021
ADINJC National Training Programme
Completes the ADINJC Mastermind Series, The Journey from PDI to the best ADI you can be.
2023
CPD — Building Rapport
Continuing professional development with Intelligent Instructor and the ADI Network, focused on the learner relationship.
Today
88% first-time pass rate
Teaching manual and automatic across Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury — calm, honest, and tailored to every learner.

Qualifications & CPD

Trained, checked
and still learning

Richard is a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor and keeps his teaching current through continuing professional development with the industry's leading training bodies.

DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
Fully qualified and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to deliver paid driving tuition.
Enhanced DBS checked
Checked for teaching all learners, including those under 18.
Fully comprehensive instructor insurance
Dual-control tuition car, insured for every lesson and for your practical test.
Continuing professional development
Regular CPD with the ADINJC and ADI Network — see the certificates below.