The story of Sila and Johan Mahes.

Two founders, one shared vision

MAHES sinds 1981 was founded in Amsterdam by Sila Mahes-Prithipalsingh and Johan Mahes. Their Surinamese background is woven naturally into the family business: warm in contact, respectful in dealings and with genuine attention for people from every community.

From the very beginning, Sila and Johan ran the driving school together. They shared the conviction that good driving instruction goes beyond vehicle operation alone. A learner should feel seen, receive clear explanations and be able to grow towards independence in a safe atmosphere.

Sila was a pioneer in driving instruction. Johan was a driving instructor in every licence category and a specialist in taxi training and the Amsterdam tram-lane exemption. Together they formed the heart of MAHES sinds 1981.

Sila: a pioneer with personal attention

Sila Mahes-Prithipalsingh led the way as the first driving instructor of Surinamese descent in the Netherlands. With determination, expertise and patience, she built a place for herself in a profession where, at the time, very few women with her background were working.

Her strength lay in combining clear instruction with attention for the person behind the wheel. Sila gave learners confidence, helped them overcome tension and showed that professional driving instruction can be careful and human at the same time.

Johan: broad professional knowledge on the road

Johan Mahes brought exceptionally broad practical knowledge. As a driving instructor he was active in every licence category. This allowed him to approach road awareness, vehicle control and safe conduct from many different types of vehicles and practical situations.

Johan also developed into a specialist in taxi training. He guided future professional drivers through the skills and responsibilities that come with professional taxi transport. He also held specialist knowledge of the tram-lane exemption: an important Amsterdam practical subject where rules, safety and responsible use of the tram lane come together.

His calm explanations, thorough expertise and experience in Amsterdam traffic made him a dedicated and knowledgeable trainer for both driving learners and future taxi drivers.

Together they built trust

Sila and Johan complemented each other. Sila brought pioneering spirit, personal attention and a strong sense of guidance. Johan added broad instruction experience, technical road knowledge and specialisation in taxi training. Neither story stands apart from the other: MAHES sinds 1981 came about through their joint commitment.

What began in 1981 as their shared ambition grew into a trusted Amsterdam driving school where multiple generations learned to drive. Former learners who once started with Sila or Johan now see new generations take their first steps on the road under the same trusted name.

Cars, traffic rules and exam requirements changed, but their principles remained: teach attentively, communicate honestly, prepare professionally and take every candidate seriously.

A team of instructors

The vision of Sila and Johan is carried today by several instructors. Each brings their own personality, experience and way of explaining things, but everyone works from the same basis: guide calmly, communicate clearly and take the learner seriously.

Because no two learners are the same, we look carefully at which instructor fits best. One person likes to learn with plenty of structure and clear steps, another needs extra calm, repetition or more of a challenge. Where scheduling allows, we take a preference for a male or female instructor into account.

Our team adapts guidance to the learner's pace and progress. This keeps lessons personal, while the quality and agreements of MAHES sinds 1981 remain recognisable. Whether you choose manual, automatic or taxi training: you are not on your own, but guided by a dedicated team working together towards your goal.

Their foundation lives on

With this team, a new generation continues the vision of Sila and Johan. MAHES sinds 1981 provides personal driving lessons for the category B licence, with a choice of manual and automatic, and practical taxi training for future professional drivers.

Learners and candidates receive guidance that matches their experience, learning pace and goal. Throughout, we stay clear about lesson content, progress, prices and the official requirements of external authorities.

This is how MAHES sinds 1981 remains a family business with an open view of Amsterdam and its surroundings: rooted in the story of both Sila and Johan, carried by several instructors and focused on everyone who wants to take to the road safely and with confidence.