You’ll spend a lot of time with your driving instructor, so it’s important you find someone you can feel comfortable with. But it’s also important that you find someone who can get results! Some instructors specialise in bringing out the best in people. That’s the sort of person you want on your side.
Looking for a driving instructor but don’t know where to start? Read our guide to choosing the right instructor for you.
Find someone local
You want somebody who knows your local area like the back of their hand. A local driving instructor will understand the roads, the traffic conditions, and the various challenges you might face when you take your test.
Some driving instructors manage to build up rapports with the local examiners. They might even be able to give you some insights into just what to expect from your driving test.
Check their qualifications
As a bare minimum, a driving instructor must be a DSA-approved Potential Driving Instructor (PDI) or Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). It’s illegal for anyone to charge for driving lessons without these qualifications.
How experienced are they?
This is something to think about. Do you want an experienced instructor, or a relatively new instructor?
There are benefits to choosing either. An experienced instructor will have a long history of success, and they’ll be able to give you the sort of tips and guidance that can only come from a lifetime of driving. On the other hand, a relatively new instructor might have more up-to-date knowledge, and they may be more comfortable training you on the more recent additions to the driving test.
In any case, it’s worth checking their track record. If a potential instructor has a long history of getting people to pass their tests first time, they must be doing something right!
Money isn’t everything
You might be tempted to go for the cheapest instructor you can find. This is a very bad idea.
With driving lessons, you get what you pay for. So if an instructor’s charging too little, they’re probably making cuts somewhere. They might be underqualified, inexperienced, or their training car might not be up to scratch.
Choosing your instructor on price alone is false economy. Your lessons could prove ineffective, or even downright dangerous.
Read their reviews
What do other people say about the driving instructor? Reading reviews won’t just give you an insight into their abilities, they’ll also give you some idea of whether or not the instructor will be a good fit for you.
Think about your needs
Will you be learning to drive in your own car, or will you need an instructor to provide one? If so, you need to make sure that the instructor’s car is one you’re comfortable driving – nothing too big, or too fast.
And what about the practicalities? Do you need your instructor to pick you up from home, from work, from school, or from college? Make sure that any instructor you choose can accommodate your practical requirements.
Finally, it’s important to learn to drive with someone you feel comfortable with. It’s always worth meeting an instructor, or at least talking to them, before you start lessons. This can help you to determine whether or not you’ll be able to get along.
Some feel more comfortable learning to drive with a female instructor. So if this is an issue for you, make sure you tell your driving school!
Learn to drive with AcciDON’T
We go to great lengths to find the very best instructors. We only hire friendly and inspirational professionals who specialise in bringing out the best in people. Our instructors are widely renowned as the best in the business, and our affordable driving lessons get results.
Ready to hit the road?
Take a look at the driving lessons we offer and you’ll soon be on your way to driving by yourself.
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