Your RoadSmart Instructor
Your RoadSmart Instructor is Mike Hartle. Mike is an experienced, approved and qualified Land Transport New Zealand Driving Instructor.
Mike has a passion for road safety and smart driving techniques. He was a Ministry of Transport Traffic Officer in the mid 1970s, has driven trucks and buses, including local and long-distance passenger coaches, and has been a Driver Licence Testing Officer for nearly ten years. He holds most classes of licence.
Mike has a friendly, confident, easy-going manner which puts people at ease. He has a wealth of knowledge about licensing, safe driving, and young and mature driver training.
Mike's main aim is to teach drivers to not just be capable of handling a vehicle, but to be safer and better drivers.
Each lesson will be conducted to the highest standard, and you will learn the skills, knowledge and road smart driving attitudes to become a competent road user.
Certifications and Memberships
Mike is certified to conduct in-car sessions for the Defensive Driving Course.
This lesson includes hazard detection and commentary practice for the full licence test.
Mike is a Member of the NZ Institute of Driver Educators Inc. The benefits for students include up-to-date training techniques, information and methods. An annual conference keeps members informed of the latest news.
RoadSmart's Training Vehicles
RoadSmart has an Apple Green 2006 Ford Fiesta 5 door hatch-5 speed manual or a Ford Telstar automatic vehicle available for training, or you can use your own vehicle.
Both RoadSmart vehicles are fully insured, serviced, and have suitable safety equipment.
Your instructor will also use a second set of mirrors to keep watch on your driving techniques and what's going on around you.
Using your own vehicle
You can use your own vehicle for all your training if you wish. Please ensure your vehicle is registered, has a current warrant of fitness, and is up to warrant of fitness standard at all times. This includes checking your tyres are not bald, and all your lights are working correctly. Make sure you clean the car before your lesson and clear any clutter from the vehicle.