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How to Choose a Driving Instructor
If learning to drive in the UK, there are a number of steps to be fully aware of. Prior to learning to drive, all learners must apply for, and possess a provisional driving licence. These can be applied for directly from the DVLA, with a form from a Post Office, or via the DVLA website. They take about two to four weeks to come, so allow enough time before starting your lessons. The most important thing to look out for when choosing a driving instructor is whether they are registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). An approved instructor will have a pink or a green certificate in their windscreen, and you are able to cross-check all genuine approved instructors via the DSA.
Obviously, the price of the lessons should be a factor in your decision of driving instructor. A few pounds difference might not sound much per lesson, but if you need a few dozen lessons, this can add up to hundreds of pounds difference. It is important not to just consider the `per hour` price. Some instructors will give discounts for block bookings (e.g. every tenth lesson free), or may charge less for longer bookings. In terms of the school itself, you may wish to check how long you instructor has been teaching for, or how long they`ve been driving for. The pass rate of the school is an important thing to check, along with the average number of hours of lessons - some schools will have a high `first time` pass rate, but might also take too long to put their students through the test. If you have a large block of time free (e.g. college/university break, time off work), are reasonably confident, and want to learn to drive as quickly as possible, it can be a good idea to check whether the school you are looking at offers `crash` courses. These put all of the normal hours of teaching in one short period. It can be tiring, but it can be a very good way to learn without worrying about slipping into your own bad habits between lessons. Try to book this type of course well in advance to make sure test slots will be available for the end of your course. Before you can have your practical test, you need also to sit a theory test at a DSA testing centre. Check the level of support a driving school will give. Some offer books, software and guidance, while others pay little attention to the practical test, and instead focus on the practical test.
Another thing to look for, and a good way of deciding an instructor`s level of experience, is whether the school offers the `Pass Plus` scheme. This is an additional course that is available, designed for new drivers, that makes you more familiar with some of the more dangerous driving situations that are not covered on the standard test. There are six parts to a Pass Plus course, which are town driving (e.g. congestion); all weather driving (e.g. heavy rain, fog); out of town driving (e.g. bendy country lanes); night driving (seeing and being seen adequately); driving on dual carriageways (confidence with overtaking) and driving on motorways (confidence with high speed traffic and special regulations). Completion of the course can make you eligible for cheaper premiums with some insurers, which is particularly helpful as Young drivers insurance is usually more expensive than other groups, due to the perceived lack of experience, and the course is seen to make up for this.
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Andy1st driving school now offers tuition in Automatic Cars! Please phone for more details 0121 603 8956 or 077 077 27 900
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We offer a Walsall driving instructor franchise to instructors in the West Midlands.
Proprietor of andy1st.co.uk is Mr A Bennett ADI
