Driving Schools

Ameelia

I am looking to learn to drive but it is so hard knowing which school to choose, especially as with some you may even be allocated a driving instructor who is still training to be an instructor!

The AA sounded good when I called and on their website (as would be expected), but then I found some negative reviews online...has anyone any experience of them? Also BSM or Red, or any in the Surrey area that are good?

Thanks!!
Ame

jakey26g

As a Driving Instructor, the best advice i can give is to ask your friends or family who they learnt with. 85% of my clients are from personal recommendations. If you can't find one that way try a local independent instructor .

santer_2

Another option

Enter your postcode here

http://finddrivinginstructor.direct.gov.uk/DSAFindNearestWebApp/findNearest.form?lang=en

Look for ones with * as these instructors have signed up to the voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme and the Code of Practice (CoP)

What the voluntary CPD scheme and code of practice are

ADIs can sign up to the voluntary CPD scheme and code of practice.

The CPD scheme for ADIs

If an ADI has signed up to CPD, it means they spend at least seven hours every year updating and refreshing their skills and knowledge.

The ADI code of practice

If an ADI has signed up to the code of practice, it means that they agree to DSA's code which covers:

• how well qualified they are
• their personal conduct when they are training you
• the professional conduct of their business
• their advertising
• how they deal with complaints

barbiedoll

Definitely try to get personal recommendations first. Driving schools such as AA, Red, etc tend to ask that you "block book" lessons, if you don't like the instructor, you are stuck with them. Most independents will let you pay as you go, they tend to be more reliable and flexible too, in my experience.

As jakey says, the best independent instructors rarely have to advertise so ask around.

And good luck with your lessons!

DaveF327

barbiedoll wrote: »

Driving schools such as AA, Red, etc tend to ask that you "block book" lessons, if you don't like the instructor, you are stuck with them. Most independents will let you pay as you go

Although the call centres of the large driving schools will try their best to sell you a block booking, you are still at liberty to decline and to pay as you go, just as with the independents.

The only guarantee you get with the AA is that the instructor will be fully qualified and have a green badge (a trainee instructor will have a red/pink badge) in the windscreen, but it doesn't guarantee he or she is actually any good. Just as BSM and RED will be a lottery of whether you get a trainee, the AA will be a lottery of whether you get an instructor who's really professional and works wonders for your driving ability, or whether you get a no-hoper whose interest in the profession waned years ago and is just carrying on for the money.

As people have already said, personal recommendation is good and direct.gov will show you fully qualified instructors in your area, regardless of school affiliation. Ask also about their check test grade as this is a good indicator of their ability to rectify faults and their attention to detail. Grade 6 is the highest, Grade 5 is good, Grade 4 means they've just scraped through and can remain on the register, but they have some weaknesses in their instructional ability.