Training Vehicle
Vauxhall Corsa, manaul, in silver

Services Offered
- Manual learner driving lessons
Areas
- Crawley
- Horley
Biography
Before training with ELITE to become an instructor I had spent my whole working life in retail, working myself through the ranks to managerial position for a major retailer. I’d always had it in my mind to become a driving instructor, following in the footsteps of my dad, who was an instructor for many years right up until he retired.
When I decided to make the career change from store to car, I did so for several reasons. Firstly is my love of all things car related. I love driving, and have always enjoyed long road trips both in the UK and abroad, and pass on that passion to my pupils in their lessons, ensuring driving becomes a pleasurable experience, not a stressful one.
I’m a family man, married with two sons. We as a family are avid fans of Formula 1, and are #TeamLH, and have camped for the race weekend at the Silverstone British Grand Prix every year for many years now.
I have been able to transfer many of the skills I have gained as a father into teaching, including being a good listener, and being empathetic. I also ensure I justify anything I tell my boys, so they understand why they should or shouldn’t do something. I understand how important this is when learning to drive. My skills from the retail sector have also come in useful, including colleague training roles, risk and safety management, and diary management. It’s great now putting all of those skills into practice to help individuals to gain the life skill of learning to drive safely.
I love my career as a driving instructor, and aim to make each and every lesson bespoke to the needs and learning style of every different pupil I meet, whether a confident driver approaching test standard, a nervous beginner, or anywhere in between.


Testimonials

Well done Kye for passing your test with just a couple of driver faults and compliments of a “Good drive!” from the examiner, after taking manual driving lessons with Lee in Crawley
“I have just passed my driving test in under a year and with only 2 minor faults. My instructor Lee was incredible and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Kye Pizzey, Crawley, West Sussex
04 February 2025

Great to hear you’ve had an enjoyable start to your driving lessons Leanne. You’re in safe and experienced hands with Lee.
“Had my first driving lesson with instructor Lee Haydon, really enjoyed it got to learn how to work the car was very understanding would 100% recommend him”
Leanne Wyatt, Crawley
28 January 2025

Thanks for choosing ELITE for your driving lessons, and we’re so pleased that you enjoyed your first lessons.
“Had my first driving lesson with Lee Haydon yesterday. He was very helpful and very friendly and made the whole experience very enjoyable. Would definitely recommend to others looking to start learning to drive.”
Lukas Astrauskas, Crawley, Manual
22 January 2025


Alba, Crawley, Manual
“I passed my driving test earlier this week and I am very grateful to my instructor Lee Haydon and ELITE. I am a nervous driver and Lee took the time to teach me calmly and patiently. Getting to this point has been quite a journey and I honestly believe I couldn’t have done it without Lee. Thank you for all your support throughout our lessons, really appreciate it!”
17 January 2025

Hollie, Crawley, Manual
“I highly recommend Elite driving school for those learning to drive. My instructor was Lee and he was great! I have high levels of anxiety and my family don’t drive so this was all a new experience for me, but Lee was very patient throughout the whole process and incredibly supportive, he explained things very well that helped my knowledge and understanding grow. Thank you!”
17 January 2025

Luke, Crawley, Manual
“Excellent driving instructor Lee is,easy to understand slow with me and understanding himself,had my first lesson and appreciate it loads!”
01 January 2025

Red Dudley, Crawley, Manual
“Had an amazing lesson today with my instructor lee he is so calm you can tell he loves what he does and is a great teacher I look forward to each lesson.”
18 November 2024

Sam Salter, Crawley, Manual
“Had the pleasure of learning with Lee, (Crawley). I was already somewhat proficient with driving, but Lee was fantastic in helping me to iron out the finer details and manoeuvres. He was very patient and was influential in helping me to pass first time!”
11 November 2024


Hannah Smith, Crawley, Manual
“Hannah passed with LeeAmazing experience with elite driving school, my instructor was Lee and he was super helpful and patient with me throughout my driving journey. Every lesson was really relaxed and insightful. Thank you Lee!”
27 October 2024

Rachele Cadeddu, Crawley, Manual
“Had my first lesson with Lee, all went really smoothly and he was very patient which helped a lot with my confidence.”
24 September 2024

Ibraheem Jamil, Crawley, Manual
“I just had my first lesson and I am satisfied with the way lee has taught me. He is very friendly and helpful in the way he teaches you. I really enjoyed my first lesson and I am looking foward to pass my driving test with lee.”
03 October 2024

Shanelle T, Crawley, Manual
“Had my first lesson with Lee yesterday and he was incredible! Really patient and explains things in an understandable way, I’m looking forward to our next lesson :).”
26 September 2024

Ruhul Amin, Crawley, Manual
“My first lesson with Lee Haydon. I had spent a very good time and he is very patient and Understanding person and lern a lot. Thanks.”
12 September 2024

Douglas, Crawley, Manual
“Thanks to my instructor Lee, I passed my driving test with few faults. Throughout the journey, he has been very supportive and patient; I highly recommend.”
05 September 2024

Bartosz, Crawley, Manual
“I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Instructor Lee, who’s been there for me since Day 1 of my driving lessons. If you thought being sad about passing you driving test was impossible, then let me surprise you, you will be when you realise it is officially the last time you get to see Instructor Lee. He is not only an fantastic instructor, but most importantly an amazing person. At first I thought that passing my driving test in a manual car was impossible. Then I thought, even if I pass in a manual, for my own comfort I will drive an automatic. And now? Thanks to Lee, I passed in a manual car, and now I even enjoy and can’t imagine driving anything else once getting my own car. It’s all thanks to Lee. He is the person you want to be there with you along your driving learning journey. Lee, thank you so much for everything, I will not forget you!”
05 September 2024

Prince, Crawley, Manual
“Just had my first lesson with Lee, feel comfortable and learnt new things and very helpful….”
03 September 2024

Emily, Crawley, Manual
“Just had first driving lesson with Lee Haydon and it was really great. Very good and patient instructor.”
30 August 2024

Toby Rawlinson, Crawley, Manual
“Had my first lesson with lee yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic ! No pressure, great organisation and amazing over all !”
23 August 2024

Abid Ali, Crawley, West Sussex
“Had my first lesson with Lee, starting learning from zero. He’s a very good instructor and made me feel at ease.”
11 July 2024

Matthew Davis, Crawley, West Sussex
“Had my first lesson with Lee. Very calm, organised and explains everything very well.”
28 April 2024


Rama Ilanagai, Crawley, West Sussex
“I passed my diving test today. Thanks for Elite and my instructor Lee for their excellent teaching and help. I would definitely recommend instructor Lee for any learners.
27 April 2024

Kye Pizzey, Crawley, West Sussex
“Lee was a great driving instructor. Taught me a lot in my first lesson. Looking forward to more lessons with him in the future.”
29 March 2024


Alfie S, Crawley, West Sussex
“Just finished my lessons with Lee and passed my driving test with 0 driving faults! Couldn’t recommend enough! Great teacher, very patient and helpful. ”
29 March 2024

Mithila M, Redhill, Surrey
“I had my lessons with Lee and he is amazing. He is the best instructor ever! He has guided me with lots of patience to become a safe driver. I thank Lee Hayden for giving me the confidence to drive and for helping me to overcome my nervousness. Your lessons were very informative, well-structured and I really appreciated your encouragement.”
25 February 2024

Lauren Bobby, Crawley, West Sussex
“Amazing! I’ve had a couple of lessons with Lee and he explains what we are doing very well and clearly! He’s helping me feel confident while driving, highly recommended!”
13 February 2024

Jack Sinclair, Crawley, West Sussex
“I had my first driving lesson with Lee today. Lee was very informative and very friendly and made me feel very calm while I was learning the basics.”
07 February 2024

Nekai Maxwell-Richards, Crawley, West Sussex
“Had my first lesson with instructor Lee yesterday and he was amazing. Super kind, really helped me with my confidence and was amazing at explaining in a easy to understand way. Can’t wait for my next lesson”
15 February 2024

Stephen H, Crawley, West Sussex
“I have had few lessons with my instructor Lee, he has made me feel safe and comfortable in the car. He is very helpful when it comes to mistakes and where I am going wrong. Very clear with his instructions and explanations. He makes learning to drive as easy as possible and I would recommend to everybody who wants to learn.”
05 February 2024

Rifah Sajjid, Horley, Surrey
“I have had a few lessons with my driving instructor Lee, and he is very patient and understanding when it comes to my driving concerns. He is very easy to talk to and get along with, and explains concepts very well. He is very knowledgable and understanding and I definitely recommend!”
01 February 2024

Diego Vargas, Crawley, West Sussex
“Lee is a great instructor who takes time to put you at ease and doesn’t rush his class. He stays very calm and supportive.”
25 January 2024

Diego Vargas, Crawley, West Sussex
“Lee is a great instructor who takes time to put you at ease and doesn’t rush his class. He stays very calm and supportive.”
25 January 2024

Jude Mahoney, Crawley, West Sessex
“I passed my driving test thanks to my instructor Lee. We have some fun while driving.”
22 January 2024

Christopher, Crawley, West Sussex
“I had a great first lesson with Lee. He was very helpful and helped me learn at my own pace. The first lesson gave me a huge confidence boost which I didn’t think would be possible to achieve until I’d had many more lessons. A fantastic introduction to driving from a great instructor.”
10 January 2024

James Skeggs, Horley, Surrey
“Massive thanks to Lee, he was patient and understanding in every lesson and helped me pass my test first try, seriously couldn’t have done it without him!”
18 December 2023
