Learning to drive can be one of the most difficult challenges as it uses all of your skills and co ordination.  Choosing an instructor can be a daunting process, so here are a few tips to make life easier.

instructor

First and foremost remember that you start learning to drive from the moment you watch friends, family or other drivers, so often parents or friends have already been “teaching” you good, or bad habits from an early age.  In order to learn the most, it is good to come to lessons with an open mind from what you have learnt already!

I believe there are two broad instructor groups…….

  1. Instructors that get you through your test, as quickly as possible
  2. Instructors who focus on learning to drive so you have the skills to drive safely

Which would you prefer?  There is no correct answer here, but I was taught by an instructor in group 1……..  He taught me the basics of what I needed to get by in my test - and I did.  Once starting to become an instructor I became aware there were many skills I did not know that I felt would have been useful.  So although at the time I was happy I had passed, I think I would have chosen an instructor who taught me how to park in a space, how to negotiate bends, how to control a skid…..etc…

In choosing an instructor take into account…

  • Recommendations - Very useful, who has taught your friends?  Are they approachable?  What did they like about the instructor?  What wasn’t good?
  • How many extra qualifications and skills does the instructor have?  In most professions passing the exams is just the start, and keeping up to date, and developing skills are critical in been effective and professional.  Look for qualifications such as DSA Fleet Badge, DIAmond Advanced Tests, Cardington Test, RoSPA Test, Dipomas and Degrees.  It could be argued instructor who has taken the time to do these are probably more committed to their career.
  • What car do they have?  This can often be useful if you are learning in a family vehicle that is the same or similar.  My personal perspective is that the car should not matter too much because it is good practice to drive different types of car, but for you this may be important so ask.  Most instructors have cars with Air Conditioning and Power Steering.
  • Are they male or female?  Some students prefer one or the other, check when calling.
  • Check if they are fully qualified?  Instructors come in two types, ones who have passed their exams, and those how have not qualified yet.  Learnmoore Driving Instructors are fully qualified but always check!
  • Instructors are also graded from1-6 by the Driving Standards Agency.  6 is Excellent, but 3 or less is not a satisfactory level.  Although grade 4 instructors are still at an acceptable standard it is something to consider whilst booking.  A grade 6 instructor has to know their techniques very well to obtain the grade, and are often much more difficult to book.
  • What help do they offer with theory? Are they prepared to go though questions on a laptop in the car as we offer at Learnmoore Driving?  Do they include theory as part of on road driving lessons?
  • Do they offer any online help/handouts or progress sheets?  At Learnmoore we offer all of these as necessary, with information available online, handouts and drawings and progress sheets for every lesson; this helps students and parents alike know where they are in their learning process.

Notice prices have not been asked yet; this is because this may be the most or least important question?  This is why you buy more expensive washing up liquid rather than the own brand.  The own brand works, but is very watered down, it doesn’t last long either, or smell nice!  The more expensive brand is concentrated, it costs more but you know is worth it!  It smells nice and leaves your hands feeling soft…………Which would you like out of an instructor; sometimes it can be more cost effective to buy the slightly more expensive brand because of its quality, concentration and feel good factor!