Driving lessons - experiences please

kelevraz

ive found that most people who have had a problem with a instructor is because theyre doing theyre lessons with a poo company

my advice, lessons arent cheap no matter what (unless its a friend or family) so pay the extra and go with a good driving company like the AA or RAC, thats what i think anyway

gilbert_and_sullivan

'''I chose someone based on their profile on yell dot com as they mentioned having a lot of patience + willingness to teach people who have a learning difficultly etc'''

The internet has made this worse in some ways, a cleverly written web page or two glowing reviews by the advertisers cousins means diddly squat.

You need recommendations form people whom you respect/admire or you need independent reviews from recognised sites/forums.

Paying up front doesn't help, once they have your dosh you are of no further interest, like car salesmen and politicians the day after an election.

top_drawer_2

I agree and I think I am on to a loser at the moment. However, I used my initial 10 hours worth + 2 hours when he asked me for a cheque so I have had to pay him ... I am going to keep a more careful eye on my hours and make sure that just before I use my next 10 hours, I decide "to give up learning" for one reason or another.

I am really not impressed - last week when he picked up the lad for his 9am lesson and had him drive me home, He was consistantly remarking on things which the lad had no reason to do yet IYSWIM. Like miles ahead of coming into a junction remarking that "you need to change gears as your coming into it - remember to brake" The lad completely blanked him (he's nearing his test very soon).

The DI was also really rude remarking in his hair, clothes, he doesn't have a job - "know anyone who wants a chef?" etc. Admittedly he was a bit of a "grunt" but so was every teenage boy I have ever come across!

TD

MeeNorr

I'm a former driving instructor (ADI), if I was you I'd be looking at changing instructors. There are plenty out there who will give you high quality, professional tuition. Unfortunately like most other jobs/industries there are some who won't which is the category this ADI falls into.

I'd say don't pay for a block booking up front until you feel that you are happy with the instructor. Ok it may cost you a little bit more paying per hour rather than paying for 10 hours up front but it gives your more flexibility initially if you don't get on with the ADI.

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) website: https://www.driving.org has a database of instructors you can search for by postcode. It also shows what extra qualifications they hold on top of their initial driving instructor qualification. It will only list DIA members but they're an organisation who I generally found their members are committed to the driving instruction industry (if that makes sense?) Looking at ADIs who have done extra qualifications/development training is worth far more than just going with someone with a shiny website.

Ask the ADI how long they've been an ADI and what grade they are (they have to be at least grade 4 to teach, 6 is the highest and you'll probably pay more for lessons with them but you really want a grade 5 minimum). If you ask them this question it will show that you've done some research.

All ADIs are self employed. Whilst the instructor charging £18 an hour maybe quite a bit cheaper than the £25 an hour instructor in some cases you get what you pay for.

top_drawer_2

Right well I've finally decided I deserve better than this noob and am going to sack him off ASAP. I think the biggest problem I am having in just doing this is that I don't have the words to do it, iyswim? I'm not really accustomed to demanding more / sacking someone off as generally I kind of put up with it.

Do I cancel the lesson and ignore text/phone calls? I feel a bit of a spineless wossit, doing that but then he's been a nightmare with me. Somehow even though he is quite possibly the most annoying oink (not to mention rude / unprofessional) I have ever sat at the side of, somehow calling time is not in my nature.

Also in looking for someone else what questions should I ask? I don't want to repeat the experience!

Any experiences.

GAZ237

top_drawer wrote: »

Right well I've finally decided I deserve better than this noob and am going to sack him off ASAP. I think the biggest problem I am having in just doing this is that I don't have the words to do it, iyswim? I'm not really accustomed to demanding more / sacking someone off as generally I kind of put up with it.

Do I cancel the lesson and ignore text/phone calls? I feel a bit of a spineless wossit, doing that but then he's been a nightmare with me. Somehow even though he is quite possibly the most annoying oink (not to mention rude / unprofessional) I have ever sat at the side of, somehow calling time is not in my nature.

Also in looking for someone else what questions should I ask? I don't want to repeat the experience!

Any experiences.

Your not sacking him. you are just not going to continue lessons with him.
You owe him nothing.

Make up some excuse about stopping lessons for now and you will get back to him, if it helps.

Sounds like your not the most confident of people and he certainly is not helping you.

All the best.

P.S Gimme his number, I,ll tell him to sling his hook

oliverr

I agree, make up some excuse if you don't have the confidence to just tell him straight.

With regards to finding a new driving instructor it's tricky, a local guy might be better but on the other hand you don't want to end up the same as you've got already. I went with a big company (Red) but it all depends, each guy is different as I believe they are all self-employed. The guy I had was good, nothing great - he certaintly wasn't a laugh or particularly good company but he always turned up on time and was fine and I suppose that's all you really want. I passed 2nd time by the way

GAZ237

oliverr wrote: »

I agree, make up some excuse if you don't have the confidence to just tell him straight.

With regards to finding a new driving instructor it's tricky, a local guy might be better but on the other hand you don't want to end up the same as you've got already. I went with a big company (Red) but it all depends, each guy is different as I believe they are all self-employed. The guy I had was good, nothing great - he certaintly wasn't a laugh or particularly good company but he always turned up on time and was fine and I suppose that's all you really want. I passed 2nd time by the way

I'm presuming the OP is Female.

So maybe a simple fix is to try a female instructor, as opposed to a Man.

ACG

I had the same problem.

I went through 3 instructors. 1 was just an old man and we didnt click, the second had me taxi'ing his mrs around and just not doing that much driving.

My third instructor was great, i couldnt fault him. He even bought me a pint after i passed and still keep in touch occasionally. We had a laugh, drove out to knutsford and he made it interesting - we took really small steps to start with.

I see your in Lancashire... if your anywhere near Manchester by i'd be happy to put you in touch.

top_drawer_2

LOL Thanks Gaz you made me laugh!

I'm thinking maybe a large company might be the best idea .... previously been with Greenlight and found that instructor fantastic but then I had to move back "home" to parents house and its too far......

I am female, and yes I am lacking self-confidence / self-esteem but am working on these things and I've recently "noticed" that people who are successful (in whatever it is they do) know when to sack something for whatever reason.

I'm near Blackburn, at back of beyond....

I'm going to have to suck it up and work on the actual technique in the future....