BSM driving school - waste of money

thisuseridistakenagain

thats awful to leave you after failing a few times, that's when you feel most vulnerable. The fact that nobody else would teach you either is disgusting. The other posters are right though you did get the lessons you paid for, so there's no comeback really, its just disappointing for you.

I passed my driving test recently on the 5th go, and I really do think its pot luck sometimes, i felt like i made more errors in the one I passed than in any of the ones I failed ,but came out with a pass with no minors at all on the actual marking sheet!

I really do think it depends on the day.

I found that by not telling my relatives and friends when i was due to take a test, i was less worried about anybody knowing if it went badly and it really did help my nerves. when I failed I could either tell them then, or sulk quietly. Plus it makes it more fun to tell them when you do pass.

Keep at it, you really will get there. i started lessons when i was 17 and had a gap of 3 years and really wished i hadnt. and eventually passed at 23. so keep going you will get there!!!

caroharrison18

The instructor would have made a thorough assessment as to your cability to drive before making the decision to discontinue in teaching you.

did they offer for example to learn to drive an automatic? if the case is the gears?

If, however you do feel that you have been let down by BSM, then to have an assessment lesson with another school who will then be able to advise you if they are able to teach you.

I think if you have failed your test a few times and the instructor who has taught you cannot understand, it would be unfair for you (and of course the cost) to continue to teach you to learn, how would you feel if you spent an extra 20 odd hours doing the same things over and over just because the instructor feels that you have no prospects but wants the money? I bet you would be pretty p*ssed at that!

Is it nerves when it comes to test day? As i know i was so nervous when i had my test, and my lesson before hand i dosed myself up with Rescue Remedy and other homeopathic remedies and had a course of Reiki beforehand to help me relax and be calm and it worked, i passed with 8 minors.

Personally if i was your instructor and had taught you for that length of time i would have offered you automatic lessons in the hope that would improve your prospects of passing your test otherwise i would have make the mutual decision to part company with each other but that's me, as i am honest and truthful.

Good luck in your quest to pass!!

voucherlover

I learnt with BSM a couple of years ago and passed first time, my instructor was lovely and pushed me to take the test as I was a bit reticent. He also told me when I was safe to practice driving with others in a normal car. I had previously had lessons with an independant and been a bit nervous gave up for a time.

laurajayne

I first started taking lessons when I turned 20, with BSM. I was bought a block of lessons as a present for my birthday, and bought some myself. IT was a complete waste of time, I never learnt manouvers, spent most of the time just pootling around. In the end I quite literally ran out of money, and couldn't take any more. I had about 30+ hours, but was no where near ready to take my test. I think BSM is seriously pot luck - but it's getting somewhat of a bashing in this thread!

I stopped driving until I was 24, when I finally had my finances is order, so that I could keep taking the lessons until such time as I was ready to take the test (cos I'd forgotten everything I'd learnt lol). I called around our local independants - not many cover my area sadly, and found a lady willing to take me on.

Funnily enough, when it's time for little sister to learn to drive, I'll be recommending Colleen, rather than BSM!

We didn't really get on that well lol, she had a bit of a way with words - I hated my lessons. I took around 30 hours in lessons, and once she said I was ready to go out with the parents, they made me drive everywhere. I was a bundle of nerves on my pratical.....and passed first time

dunclane

I had 9 lessons with an independent instructor who was about 60! She was brilliant, also had around 20 hours private practice and passed 2nd time only due to an idiot speeding round a blind bend whilst I was pulling out!

I wouldnt touch BSM or AA with a barge pole.

molezak

Neither would I although there may be the odd good eggs about the country.

I started learning with BSM in Stratford-upon-Avon and it was awful. My instructor was obviously a few slices short of a loaf, was a letch or just went on about fancying other young girls he taught. He fell asleep during 2 of my lessons, didn't turn up a couple of times and was late for most. On one occasion he decided that we would go into his local instead of teaching me to drive! That was the last straw and I swapped to another BSM instructor who just didn't seem to care in the slightest so I switched entirely to a private ex traffic cop instructor who was great and I passed within a few weeks.

I'd never recommend BSM, I hope they have higher standards of training for their instructors than they did a few years ago.

kevmcfad

I used to work for BSM and I left as quickly as I could. They charged me £300 per week (not including petrol) so I was forced to work 40+ hours each week to just break even which is impossible in my area. BSM have a huge turnaround. Most instructors I know have at some point worked for them (for a short period).

When you get lessons with BSM you have no idea which instructor you will be allocated with. They could be inexperienced, have a low pass rate, or even be a trainee. BSM do not inform their learners when they have a trainee instructor and yet they charge you they same. They reasons they charge more than independent instructors is because by charging more it makes them seem as though they are worth it - they also have much higher overheads (premises, staff etc).

BSM very nearly went to the wall last year. The driver training industry was hit hard with the recession. BSM closed all their training facilities and some of their smaller highstreet premises. Vauxhall pulled out the contract to provide BSM with free Corsas and Astras (because they were struggling too) and with only 4 months left of the Vauxhall contract Fiat jumped in and saved BSM. Incidentally every instructor hates the Fiat 500!

Don't get me wrong there are a lot of good instructors in BSM but I'd recommend you research and find out about the experience and qualifications of independents in your area.

elisebutt65

Well I'm not a new poster and I too had bad experiences with BSM - smoking in the car, doing errands etc same as the others

I had to stop after I ran out of money after failing 3 times as well. I've found a decent one now 10 years later and as soon as I have the money I will start again.

dkdriver

nmnm wrote: »

my my we have been busy , your not an agent for another driving school are you , learner driver 2009 on other forum ? 9 years ago 20 hours to pass test ? DREAM ON!DSA estimate 45 hours plus 22 hours private practice for average driver to be test ready. if instructor needed to stop you for safety then she would have stalled the car deliberately for safety reasons, how on earth could she stall the car by her foot slipping?If your instructor has kept you local I would suggest that you arent ready for test as mock test shows. One instructor says min 10 (not max) this could be 10 20 30 If as you say you are a very fast learner i suggest you slow down a bit and take notice of what your professional driving instructor tells you! nmnm ADI

Ok - this is getting my temper boiling. You are trying to tell me that someone should need 67 (SIXTY SEVEN!!!) hours of driving before being able to drive on their own???

That is utter nonsense. When I passed, many years ago, first of all, I had never driven, since in Dennmark, you're not allowed to drive without a full license, period, full stop. You might think Denmark is much different - trust me it's not - Copenhagen is as busy as any major city.

Secondly. We were laughing if someone had to have more than 20 hours. It was almost unheard of to have that many hours.

Thirdly, being a foreigner in this country - I have witnessed the POOREST drivers what so ever, per se. And believe me, you speak to any foreigner you come across and they will tell you the same story: You Brits can't drive for your dead grandmother. The general level of driving skills in Britain is appalling.

And that I attribute to 1) poor policy on the governments part. 2) poor self governance on the driving schools part. They are shooting themselves in the foot.

My wife, has had 10 hours with BSM. Here's a summary of what manoeuvres she has done: 5 x reverse around corner. 3 x 3 point turn. 0 (nil) reverse parallel parking. 0 bay parking. 0 reverse bay parking. In 10 (TEN!!!!) hours.

Why is it that when I did my training, I had done, all of these things many times, AND I had driven on motorways, at night time, on wet course, in the first 10 hours?

My wife has plenty of experience driving with me, she is very good at using the clutch and gears, and has excellent spatial awareness. She could drive on her own safely. So why is it, we need 67 hours? Wake up! Don't believe all the crap you read. Stand up people, for your rights, demand quality tuition from driving schools.

In my view, BSM is a complete waste of time and a complete waste of money. I'm somewhat afraid, this might be a general problem for the industry, and I encourage any driving instructors out there, to look abroad (try Denmark - and probably Germany), see how they do it, implement it here in the UK and implement strict quality assurance - market it, and you will become very wealthy. The industry is ripe for a shake up. Go on then. There you have it.

LemonGrove

Just thought I would throw my hat into the BSM ring. I begrudingly ordered 10 hours of lessons for an extortionate price but thought it was best to pay for the best. When I saw the car coming to my house from the next street they pulled out in front of someone then parked the dinted car on the double yellow lines outside my house and came and knocked on the door. I didn't answer and phoned up BSM requesting a refund and reporting the driver.

I later passed my test within 10 lessons with an independant teacher.