Coastwide Driving School’s Sue Ottaway crowned Sunshine Coast’s top instructor

A Sunshine Coast driving instructor with decades of experience teaching students best practice on the road has been crowned the region’s best by readers.

Sunshine Coast instructor Sue Ottaway from Coastwide Driving School. Photo:contributed.

A Sunshine Coast driving instructor passionate about keeping motorists safe on the road has been named the region’s top driving instructor after a week of voting.

Sue Ottaway of Coastwide Driving School won the title, sweeping up 25 per cent of votes.

Ms Ottaway thanked everyone who took the time to nominate her.

“It is a privilege and I feel very humbled and has given me confirmation that my teaching methods work,” she said.

The driving instructor of 24 years previously worked as an assessor and has always enjoyed teaching.

She decided to pursue the profession after meeting people in the industry and teaching a friend to drive, which was “incredibly rewarding” for her.

Sunshine Coast instructor Sue Ottaway from Coastwide Driving School. Photo:contributed.

Ms Ottaway said she loved guiding her students through their journey and watching them progress, gain confidence and develop skills for safe driving.

“It gives them such a great sense of accomplishment and along the way (and) I have met some incredible clients and their families,” she said.

“Everyone learns differently and it’s about treating people equally and putting people who are apprehensive and nervous at ease so they feel comfortable.”

Ms Ottaway said teaching also came with its challenges, particularly with impatient and dangerous drivers and other road users creating hazards.

Her aim has always been to teach students defensive driving skills and awareness for other road users, cyclists, pedestrians and other dangers.

Ms Ottaway moved to the Sunshine Coast with her daughter after living in South Australia for many years, and loves the weather, lifestyle and beautiful outdoors the region has to offer.