The press release below was created by TU Dublin marketing students during the WorkIQ PR & Media Workshop 2026. Booking a driving lesson shouldn’t be harder than booking a taxi. That’s the simple frustration that sparked FlexiDrive — and for Ray Valentine, a former TU Dublin student, turning that frustration into a fully functioning app has been anything but simple. This is his story.
Local Tallaght Entrepreneur Develops Groundbreaking new booking app for learner drivers
New app promises faster, easier lesson bookings for learner drivers, created by a local Tallaght entrepreneur
Written by Aoife O’Connell & Calum Whelan of TU Dublin Tallaght
Formed TU Dublin Tallaght student Ray Valentine has developed “FlexiDrive”, an innovative app that has changed how learner drivers navigate the booking process. Starting in 2022, Valentine has moved his business to WorkIQ Tallaght. FlexiDrive has revolutionised the learning process for good, making booking a driving lesson as easy as booking a taxi.
Valentine was inspired back in his college days, to create an app that reduced the stresses faced by his peers. These stresses surrounded scheduling driving lessons and issues with available driving instructors. He wanted to create an app similar to taxi app Free Now. Here, students can book lessons and choose instructors seamlessly.
Kick starting this app wasn’t simple for Valentine. He faced struggles finding available instructors and decided the best solution was to train five initial driving instructors to get the company on their feet. He found himself standing outside test centres, handing out leaflets. He tells interviewer Marie Burke “word of mouth only goes so far”.
FlexiDrive is still in its early days, and it doesn’t look like the company is slowing down any time soon. They recently moved into the Work IQ hub in Tallaght where Valentine says he is surrounded by innovation and support. He advises anyone in Tallaght seeking to start a business venture that there is no perfect place to start. Valentine himself left college in third year with nothing but an idea. He is a true inspiration to Tallaght students.
FlexiDrive helps users move more efficiently toward becoming fully licensed drivers. It can be downloaded on the App Store and Google Play today!
Ray is still early in his journey — and if his determination is anything to go by, FlexiDrive is only getting started. You’ll find him building at WorkIQ, Tallaght.
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