Driving Instructor Essendon

Looking for a driving instructor Essendon? Mt Alexander Road carries the route 59 tram with traffic either side of it, and Buckley Street crosses it at the busiest point.

Call 0450 860 035Call nowRequest a callback
5.0 from 35 Google reviews99% first time pass rate, lessons from $75
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test with Driving Instructor Essendon
99%first time pass rate
  • VicRoads accredited instructor
  • Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics
  • Working with Children Check
  • myLearners accredited

Real students

Learners who passed with Auslink

Every photo is one of Callum’s own students, taken on the day they passed.

An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed
An Auslink Driving Academy learner after passing their VicRoads driving test in MelbournePassed

Your photo next. Callum has lesson times seven days a week, and he will tell you honestly how many hours you are likely to need.

Call 0450 860 035Call nowRequest a callback

5.0 from 35 Google reviews

A 99% first time pass rate and real reviews from Auslink Driving Academy learners across Melbourne.

I only needed one lesson with Callum before I went for my drivers test! He taught me in a simple, professional but most importantly 'enjoyable' way, all the road rules, tricks and tips to ensure full success on the big day. I would reccomend Callum to all drivers, whether your a more nervous driver or confident - regardless there is always something he will teach you, and always something you can laugh about.

cecelApril 2026

Finding the right driving instructor can make all the difference, and with Callum we truly struck gold. From the very first lesson, it was clear that this wasn't just about passing a test, it was about building confidence, awareness, and lifelong safe driving habits. My daughter started out understandably nervous, but that quickly changed thanks to Callum's calm, patient, and incredibly encouraging teaching style. Every lesson was structured yet relaxed, with clear explanations that made even the trickiest manoeuvres feel manageable. What really stood out was his ability to adapt, knowing when to challenge her and when to reassure her, which made her progress feel natural rather than pressured. His communication was excellent throughout. Feedback after each lesson was constructive and specific, giving my daughter a clear understanding of what she was doing well and where she could improve. It was also reassuring as a parent to know she was learning in such a supportive and professional environment. I couldn't recommend Callum more highly. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their students and goes above and beyond to set them up for success, this is exactly who you want.

Campbell R.March 2026

I had an excellent driving experience with Callum and couldn't recommend him highly enough. From the very first lesson, he was patient, calm, and incredibly supportive, which made learning to drive far less stressful and much more enjoyable. Callum explains everything clearly and in a way that's easy to understand, even the more challenging manoeuvres. He never rushes you and always takes the time to make sure you feel confident before moving on. His feedback is constructive and encouraging, helping you improve quickly while building real confidence on the road. What really sets Callum apart is his professionalism and positive attitude. He creates a relaxed learning environment, stays calm in every situation, and genuinely wants his students to succeed. Thanks to his guidance, I felt well-prepared, confident, and safe when driving independently. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and friendly driving instructor, Callum is the perfect choice. I'm extremely grateful for his help and would recommend him to anyone learning to drive.

Esther wongDecember 2025

Callum was amazing to drive with and helped me pass my test first try. His extensive knowledge of the roads, friendly personality and calm demeanour are very assuring for any level of driver, whether you've just started or are going for your test. Definitely recommend!

Dejan G.January 2025

Passed test after 3 lessons + warm up session before test (convert overseas licence) Callum was really efficient and straight to the point in teaching the information needed to drive with Victorian road rules and what the examiners will be looking for. Also a really fun and genuine guy, had a lot of laughs during the lessons.

shing H.November 2024
Read all 35 reviews

Reviews shown are published on our Google Business Profile.

If you have typed driving instructor near me or driving lessons near me and want an actual name rather than a booking platform, this is it. One local instructor running driving lessons Essendon, with pickup anywhere that suits you, home, school or work.

The reviews speak for themselves

A 99% first time pass rate, 5.0 from 35 Google reviews and 5.0 from 60 reviews on Word of Mouth, where Auslink has taken out the Service Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024. I am not going to tell you I am the best driving instructor Essendon. Ninety five reviews across two platforms, averaging five stars on both: read what people in Essendon actually wrote and decide from that.

Who you will be learning with in Essendon

Every lesson in Essendon is taught by Callum Salgadoe, the principal instructor at Auslink and the only instructor in the business. Callum drove professionally for over twenty-two years before he began teaching, first for one of Melbourne's leading private limousine companies and then running his own operation, so the road craft he is teaching is the road craft he used for a living. He holds a Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics and a Working with Children Check.

Book a lesson and Callum is the person who turns up, every time. There is no pool of contractors and no handing you to whoever is free, which is why learners who start nervous, who are converting an overseas licence, or who are coming back to driving after years off the road tend to stay with him until they pass.

Callum is a patient and passionate instructor. His teaching is clear and effective. I passed my road test on one go.

cjz, Word of Mouth review

Driving school Essendon: what you get

  • Tram lane rules on Mt Alexander Road with the route 59
  • Right turns across Buckley Street
  • Reverse parking on the busier shopping streets
  • Driving lessons Essendon 3040: pickup from home, school or work
  • Automatic driving lessons Essendon: a dual control Toyota Corolla Hybrid, every lesson
  • Learner driver lessons Essendon: road rules and the basics before traffic
  • Driving test lessons Essendon: test standard practice before your date
  • VicRoads test routes: the real ones at Carlton, Bundoora, Deer Park and Coolaroo
  • Test day car hire: you sit the test in the car you trained in
  • 99% first time pass rate and 5.0 from 35 Google reviews
  • Free myLearners session for eligible 16 to 21 year olds and their supervising driver

Driving lessons Essendon: prices

60 minute lesson$75
120 minute lesson$140
VicRoads test car only$190
Test package, 60 min lesson before your test$225
Test package, 90 min lesson before your test$280
Beginner package, 5 x 60 min$360

No booking fee, no joining fee and no travel surcharge. See every package on the driving lesson prices page.

Questions we get asked

How much does a driving instructor Essendon charge?

$75 for 60 minutes and $140 for 120 minutes, with no travel surcharge anywhere in Essendon 3040. Most Essendon learners take the five hour beginner package at $360, which is $72 an hour.

I searched driving instructor near me and got a hundred results. What makes you different?

You get Callum, not a rostered pool, and the same person every lesson, so nobody has to re-learn which parts of Essendon you find hard. Twenty two years driving professionally before he started teaching, a Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics, a Working with Children Check, a 99% first time pass rate, 5.0 from 35 Google reviews and 5.0 from 60 on Word of Mouth.

Do you do automatic driving lessons Essendon?

Every lesson is automatic, so if you searched automatic driving lessons near me you are in the right place. A current model Toyota Corolla Hybrid with dual controls and an internal safety camera. An automatic test gives you an automatic licence, which is all most people need.

I have a driving test near me booked. Can you help?

Yes. If you are after a driving test instructor Essendon, we train on the real VicRoads routes at Carlton, Bundoora, Deer Park and Coolaroo before your date, not a made up version of them. Your closest centre is Carlton. You can also hire the car for test day, so you sit the test in the car you learned in.

Do you offer learner driver lessons Essendon?

Yes, from the very first lesson. Road rules and the basics first: signs and line markings, where to look and when, holding a lane, deciding at an intersection. We build up to traffic once that is solid.

Are you the cheapest? I am after cheap driving lessons Essendon.

Not the cheapest, and I would be careful of anyone who is. The packages are where the value sits: $360 for five hours works out at $72. No booking fee and no travel surcharge.

Which driving school near me do you cover?

Pickup anywhere in Essendon 3040, home, school or work, plus the neighbouring suburbs. We also train on the real VicRoads test routes at Carlton, Bundoora, Deer Park and Coolaroo.

Book a lesson in Essendon

Call 0450 860 035 or email info@auslinkdrivingacademy.com.au.

Book a Lesson
Call 0450 860 035

Nearby areas and your test centre

Melbourne coverage

Suburbs we teach in

Auslink Driving Academy picks you up from home, school or work across Melbourne. Each suburb below has its own page with local pickup details and the test routes we practise.

CBD and inner

12 suburbs

Northern suburbs

12 suburbs

Eastern suburbs

12 suburbs

VicRoads test centres we train on: CarltonBundooraDeer ParkCoolarooAll areas covered