Driving lessons, Do you get what you pay for ?

rosy

mdbs wrote:

BSM make most of their money teaching people to be instructors, and most trainee instructors never make it, and the poor pupils get who ever is learning at the time.

Ask to see his licence, if its PINK beware.

My son started to learn with BSM last year - his instructor unknown to us was a trainee - one day BSM phoned up and cancelled my son's next lesson as the instructor had failed a test for the third time and was not going to be able to teach until he had had further training. My son had had loads of lessons with him, and was about to sit his test. The replacement instructor ( also BSM) then told my son he was nowhere nearly ready to sit his test and would need at least 16 more hours tuition. We did take this further with BSM at the time and have come to an arrangement re further lessons but I would echo mdbs's advice, be very careful.

kforshaw

OK - off on a slight tangent.. has anyone ever done an intensive course to pass their test?
Had you had lots of lessons before?
I understand you have to have the theory test passed before you try an intensive course (I'm seriously considering it).

The_Undercover_ADI

Just a few hints and tips:

Free lessons are great, and I offer them myself, but I charge more than most and feel it is a great way of proving I'm worth my fee, but if you're offered free lessons AND cheap lessons, ask why? Is the instructor that bad they've got to give their time away?

The Pink badge is for trainees - ask for a pretty heavy discount if your driving instructor is a trainee - at least 10%. If the company refuse, walk.

Don't ask for pass rates - they are too easy to bluff. Ask for the instructor's grade - grade 4 - ok, grade 5 - top third (ish), grade 6 - top 5%. If they say they are ungraded - ask them if it's because they have only recently passed their exams - if so, they may be brilliant, and an enthusiastic newbie will be good - use your judgement. If they have been around for a while they may well have failed a check test - beware!

Work out how YOU learn, and find an instructor who puts you at ease with the subject, and concentrates on your driving, not on chatting about stuff. And remember that a lesson is your time - don't let the instructor answer phone calls, pop into a shop, or do anything that isn't necessary for your driving. Hope this helps guys.

As far as intensive courses is concerned, do some serious research first. The 2pass site and forum are great. Intensives rarely work for people who have NEVER driven before, but can be good for people who have the basics, but many companies who offer them are terrible.

carl_east

Are Costco still doing those learner pack for £15? You got a free lesson in that but could buy as many as you wanted.

rubiales

Just wanted to say I agree with the majority of posters on here - word of mouth/reputation counts for such a lot. I passed my driving test in 1980's with an excellent local driving instructor after wasting lots of money with BSM first. My local instructor took the time to explain things clearly and was much more experienced than the BSM instructor I had used previously. His prices were also more reasonable as I recall.

Last year my son (then 17) needed an instructor and I had no hestitaion in recommending my instructor as he is still working. He was equally brilliant with DS who passed first time!! DS's girlfriend had picked an independent instructor out of Yellow Pages and did not get on well with him at all - switched to my instructor and sailed through her test second time.

Goes to show, BSM or independent, recommendations are solid gold when it comes to choosing a driving instructor. It's a big investment in terms of time and trust, as well as money:a poor instructor can shatter the confidence of a learner driver so easily, adding months (or even years) to your time with 'L' plates. I only hope my instructor has not retired in November this year when DD is 17!!!

NB - If you live in Gosport or Fareham areas the instructor we used is called (appropriately) 'King of the Road' !!!

MANDIE_3

Off the subject slightly but does anyone have any tips for the test itself. I 've had 5 tests now & still haven't passed. I am fine on a lesson but mention the word test and I go to pieces! I'd love to hear from anyone that has tips to clam the nerves! My instructors great by the way its just me!

rubiales

MANDIE wrote:

Off the subject slightly but does anyone have any tips for the test itself. I 've had 5 tests now & still haven't passed. I am fine on a lesson but mention the word test and I go to pieces! I'd love to hear from anyone that has tips to clam the nerves! My instructors great by the way its just me!

Not sure if this will help, but have successfully used a herbal remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy - available from most chemists. I used it for exam nerves and it helped enormously. You just put a few drops under your tongue before you go in or mix them in a bottle of water and drink. It's a small bottle with a dropper and lasts ages.

Also used it for my daughter when she had to go for her BCG (she hates needles!).

d0imakeuh0rny

if u are collecting tesco clubcard points you can use them against bsm driving lessons....hope this may help

vixarooni

i think private is better. My mum has always said that bsm teaches you to pass and not to drive.

Problem with driving is that it took me along time to pick it up, but luckily my parents bought all of my lessons, and i had them over a year, i think it did me good in some ways, i had a years experience before i passed and i passed everything first time and i cnsider myself quite a good driver now.

But of course it depends on money. Yes it is expensive, but so are cars, petrol, services and everything that goes with it!

achtunglady

MANDIE wrote:

Off the subject slightly but does anyone have any tips for the test itself. I 've had 5 tests now & still haven't passed. I am fine on a lesson but mention the word test and I go to pieces! I'd love to hear from anyone that has tips to clam the nerves! My instructors great by the way its just me!

Mandie,I was absolutely petrified when I had my lessons, I used to have to have a flannel on my lap to wipe my sweating hands, and thought if i was this nervous while learning what would i be like for my test. I got some good advice and this is what I did.
3 days before the test, I took Kalms Herbal Tablets, two night before test I put some stuff on my hands to help stop the sweating (called odaban),night before test, got paperwork together, had a lovely soak in the bath,total relaxation, and early night. Morning of test, had a shower, a good breakfast (i know you won't even want to eat but its important that the brain has fuel to help concentrate), the other half took my son to school and little one out of my hair just so i could psych myself up, kept breathing deeply to help calm myself down, an hours lesson before the actual test, and then the actual test. 45 minutes later and 3 small faults I had passed, I was so convinced I was going to fail, and I did feel the difference from when I was having my lessons.