Cheapest learner driver company?

Kimberley

Do you know what the cheapest learner driver company is and do you think the dearest being BSM offers a good standard of teaching considering it's the dearest by far?

I was PM'd once a name of a good instructor in bromley but i deleted it by mistake and can't remember who sent me it

Astaroth

The missus is learning with a company called Big Red which cover the Bromley area.

Dont only go by price (though these were one of the cheapest companies we came across) as it is very important that you get on with the instructor. The above company after chatting to them and the missus saying that she had had previous lessons but was made very nervous by the instructor agreed to give her a 1hr free lesson to make sure she could get on with the chap before committing to paying.

Also look at the block booking rates, evening suppliment fees etc.

BSM is a francise and so you can get great instructors through them and terrible ones too.... personally I would go by individual instructor rather than company.

Throbbe

^^^^ As above really.

Learning to drive safely (not just passing the test) is worth the extra pennies, so definately worth bearing it in mind. That's certainly not to say that more expensive is better though. I'd also look for recommendations if you have a few friends that have learnt in the last year or two.

chatta

Check they have a green certificate which means they themselves have passed the test to teach people. This has to be displayed in the window of the car. My daughter started with BSM which I chose as I learnt with them oh dear 28 years ago. I was horrified when her lessons were cancelled due to the fact the instuctor had failed his test for the 3rd time which meant he was unable to continue teaching, (only discovered this when he failed to turn up one day) They were the most expensive as well. AA advertise that they only employ fully qualified instructors. BSM only offered me a partial refund better than nothing though........ Good luck...........

xycom1

As said, the best you can get is a personal recommendation. My wife learned to drive with Lanes a couple of years ago (who operate in the south London/Kent area). Her first instructor was green badged but she didn't get on with him so contacted the company and they assigned her another instructor with no problem. He was much better, even though he was a 'red triangle' but she passed first time without problem.

Kimberley

Thanks guys, also would you say Intensive courses are better value? :rolleyes:

chatta

My daughter had two hour lessons and felt they were long enough and I remember (yes that long ago) that I was glad to get out of car after the hour was up !!!!!!!

Astaroth

The missus recommended 1.5 hr lessons and it seems about right - enough time to actually go further afield than round the local estate but not so long that the nerves give out.

There was nothing I can remember about intensive courses from when I was learning to drive so dont have any first or second hand experience but it feels to me that it you would have to get very confident behind the wheel very quickly for them to work.

Kimberley

Well i know i'm not a nervous driver. I had about 6 lessons before i moved, but didn't take them up again when i settled in my new area. On my first lesson the instructor said i handled the car well, so i know i'd be ok.

I just want to know if by the end of the weeks intensive course if anyone passed their test on day 5

candygirl

Kimberley wrote:

Well i know i'm not a nervous driver. I had about 6 lessons before i moved, but didn't take them up again when i settled in my new area. On my first lesson the instructor said i handled the car well, so i know i'd be ok.

I just want to know if by the end of the weeks intensive course if anyone passed their test on day 5

I did an intensive course 10 years ago and failed my test.i've only just plucked up enough courage to start lessons again, and i'm now having two hour lessons and my new instructor can actually teach.it has made me realise how bad the other one actaully was, he even used to smoke in the car despite my protests.i'd stick with 2 hours lessons if i was you!!

Jina

I'm actually with Bill Plant in the West Yorkshire and paid £56 for 5 lessons (1st lessons is free so you can check the car, whether you get on well with the instructor, etc) If you book the 4 next lessons then you pay £56 ( £11.20 each lesson, incl 1st lesson) but if don't want to continue then you don't pay anything. I'm paying for 1hr lesson but the instructor actually takes it to 1hr15-20mins.
Am now on normal rate of £18 per hour. I might need 5 more lessons but its still gonna be quite cheap (£146 for all 10 lessons).