learning to drive

clutterydrawer

does anyone have any tips on how to find a good driving instructor?

I am new to my area so don't know anyone to get recommendations off.

My mum is paying for this but I don't want her to be wasting monehy on lessons that aren't productive cos of poor instruction....so I wondered if there was anything I should look for.

Doozergirl

There's nothing wrong with changing if you don't clic with an instructor. Maybe don't invest in too many upfront until you've had a trial and are happy.

It's been a while but I had one that gave me the creeps. It put me off for a bit but really I just should have found a different one straight away. You don't have to be best mates but it's a chore if you don't get on with the person at all - you have to spend quite a bit of time alone with them!

1oneandonly

Get a reputable company ...look in the yellow pages for the bigger companies rather than 1 man band. You could even try bartering with them as many companies not doing well in this present economic climate. Worth a try what you got to lose. You dont want to be switching from one instructor to another as this may put you off learning. Good Luck

[Deleted User]

Look for a good recommended independent instructor. My experience with local bigger driving schools is that a lot of the instructors that work under the driving school's name are self employed and are just paying a fee to use the school's name. They usually work part time around another day job meaning you have a limited choice of time slots available for taking lessons.

Also paying peanuts you get monkeys. ;-)

GonzoAston

I used BSM at first and didnt like the instructor, or the organisation to be honest.

I then found someone that a few people I knew had used and tried him. He was really good imo, and I passed 1st time

I would prefer to use a independant driving instructor, that has a good reputation. I would also reccomend 2 hour driving lessons instead of one.

f1re_cr4cker

yup i would also recommend 2hour lessons over 1hours

hewhoisnotintheknow

ring up an independant try them if you like then book more

ask friends who they used

daveyjp

"look in the yellow pages for the bigger companies rather than 1 man band"

Why? My dads a one man band and has had a long list of pupils for 25 years. The reason being he's good at what he does and most of his work comes from word of mouth - he hasn't advertised for years.

Bigger companies charge VAT - so that's 15% more per lesson.

Ask around neighbours, make a note of which insturctors you see regularly - busy ones are always out and about.

When you call ask the instructor how many lessons he teaches a week - if he is full time it should be at least 30. Ask about the car, what type is it, what year is it. A busy instructor will do 30,000 a year and shouldn't have a car more than about 3 years old.

Don't be pulled into first lesson free, or first 5 for £50 type offers. They will add lessons to get the money back.

hissingsid

Some good advice above, and here is a website that gives some more good advice.
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-choose-a-driving-instructor

Russ66

clutterydrawer wrote: »

I am new to my area so don't know anyone to get recommendations off.

What is your area? You may get a more specific recommendation.