driving lessons

rachelhen

I want to buy driving lessons for my daughters are BSM any good? anyone know a good instructor in liverpool? How much are lessons these days?
haha loads of questions.

santer_2

Start here

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022528

Then enter your postcode here

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

Look for those marked * These instructors have signed up to the voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme and the Code of Practice (CoP)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Doitonlinemotoring/DG_196427

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

Nile

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Rolandtheroadie

The instructor I had hasnt signed up for CPD

Why? I can only guess with the years of experience he has and word of mouth recommendations he gets, he doesnt have to.

The only thing I would go with is 1. Recommendations and 2. Pass rates.

The rests just smoke and mirrors.

soccermom

BSM is mega bucks here (£23) in Newcastle. Personally I would try someone local who isn't going to rip you off and is recommended through your daughters mates.

That's how we did it.

My sons instructor charged £17 and he passed first time. They seem to need a lot more lessons these days (so the instructors say ) so over time the additional cost would soon add up

forgotmyname

I pay £15 a lesson for my daughter, Indepedent instructor, So obviously no lessons when he is on holiday.
But on the + side. He picks her up and explains what he wants to do this lesson. Then starts the clock, 1h 15 minutes
before she arrived back.

BSM have always been dear and pot luck on finding a decent instructor, You may get a good one you get on with
but you may get one you dont like or it not very good.

mikey72

Never block book. Always pay for the first few lessons one at a time, then if you don't get on you can move.

lvm

I got a block of 10 lessons with BSM for my birthday 8 years ago. Actually found the lessons very restrictive. The instructor had a strict plan which he would never budge on and insisted on 2 hours lessons (presumably to limit the drives to other learners each day). The first 5*2 hr were: 1. Getting used to car, mirrors etc 2. Turning left 3. Turning right 4. Emerging left 5. Emerging right. So around £200 just being taught how to turn corners. I quickly moved to another instructor.

I'd agree with everyone else - definitely go on recommendations!

[Deleted User]

Only recommended local independent instructors are worth their salt. AA/BSM instructors are just generally rubbish/cons that will never make it on their own.

Arnieboy

I would always choose an independant driving school as they have a reputation to uphold and with most creating buiness through word of mouth it is important for them that they do a good job.

Beware of some of the big schools, They'll send you a TRAINEE INSTRUCTOR!!!!( check there badge, if it is pink, they are NOT qualified - IT MUST BE GREEN)

Go independant, go by recomendations and remember - cheapest is not always the best! In my area, lessons average around £20 pH, the instructors that charge £6 - £10 must be working below minimum wage
!!!

forgotmyname

£6 - £10, I doubt they would have the correct insurance to cover themselves at that price never mind the fuel costs.

£6 a gallon 40mpg car. Which is unlikely in learner mode, So that leaves them £0 - £4 in wages - running costs.

The only way to save money would be limit your distance.