Get ready to shift gears and steer towards manual driving success
Servicing Bayside, Glen Eira, Port Phillip and surrounds.
Welcome to Gear Shift Academy, where we specialise in teaching essential skills and knowledge while tailoring your learning journey to make it a truly enjoyable experience.
My commitment is to be your mentor on your journey to mastering the art of manual driving, empowering you to quickly gain confidence and proficiency.
Why choose Gear Shift Academy
Welcoming & relaxed learning environment
I take great pride in fostering a friendly and relaxed atmosphere as I believe it’s the best setting for effective learning and knowledge retention. My instruction is characterised by honesty and clarity.
Personalised instruction just for you
Driving lessons shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. I’m highly adaptable and attuned to individual temperaments, working closely with each student to customise instruction to match your unique learning style and pace.
Prioritising safety
Our primary focus is on equipping students with essential skills that go beyond license acquisition. Our lessons concentrate on fostering safe driving habits and heightened hazard awareness, ensuring students become safer drivers.
“The most rewarding moment is when a student has that light-bulb moment, a knowing of how to manage the clutch… gentle take-off, smooth gear shifting, and naturally flowing with traffic.”
— James, Gear Shift Academy
Your Driving Mentor
Exceptional communication - clear instruction & calm guidance
Mentored and supported thousands of students to obtain their licence
Instructing manual since 2014 as sub contractor for leading driving schools in Melbourne
Manual driving experience for over 25 years
Certificate IV Accreditation in Driving Instructing
Working with Children ID card & Police checks.
James, owner instructor, Gear Shift Academy
Lessons & Packages
Casual
Single 90 min lesson: $124
Single 60 min lesson: $77
Single 45 min lesson: $62
*Learner Permit holders only
Bulk
5 x 45 min lessons: $300
5 x 60 min lessons: $375
*Learner Permit holders only
Driving Test
60 min warm up lesson plus drive test: $230
*Heatherton Vic Roads only (travel surcharge applies for other Vic Roads locations)
Refresher
60 min existing licence holders & overseas licence conversions: $80
FAQs
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We cover the fundamentals - understanding and managing the clutch and gear shifting. In addition, the lesson also covers other standard techniques such as steering and smooth brake & accelerator control. We always try to locate an ideal quiet location to minimise stress.
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As individuals we all have different strengths, skills and learning paces. Generally, the majority of students would require approximately five lessons to grasp the fundamentals of driving manual while managing additional driving techniques such as steering and interacting with other road users.
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James has been instructing manual since 2014 and in that time has come across many different students and scenarios. He takes pride in making students feel at ease behind the wheel, guided by his calm and patient nature. His vehicle is equipped with dual control pedals that allows him to assist and take control where required.
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We generally recommend a 60 minute lesson as this allows us to go through clutch method and gear shifting thoroughly whilst not overwhelming the student with too much information.
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This is a valid question, especially with the popularity of auto and hybrid/electric vehicles which eliminates manual transmission. From my experience, manual is still common in many parts of the world. Therefore, if you plan on travelling, manual is more readily available and cheaper to rent. In addition, manual gives you greater control over the vehicle, especially for challenging terrain. Finally, manual is more engaging which helps with situational awareness on the road.