What do I look for in a Driving Instructor?

There are literally thousands of driving instructors in the UK – many of which are affiliated with driving schools while others work independently. Choosing an instructor can therefore be quite difficult but if you follow the points below you should be able to narrow the field down considerably.

Qualifications

All driving instructors have to pass a number of exams and driving tests before they can instruct learner drivers however a few also go on to take advanced driving exams as well. Although these are beneficial they shouldn’t sway your decision to much.

Personality

One of the most important aspects of a driving instructor is their personality. If you can’t get along then you won’t learn anything. The best driving instructors are confident in their teaching but tolerant of mistakes. You don’t want an instructor that looses patience quickly but you also don’t want one that fails to point out errors.

Prices

The price of driving lessons tends to differ quite dramatically from region to region and from instructor to instructor. Driving schools tend to charge a little bit more than independent instructors because the school instructors have to cover their overheads as well as the hire of their car. Saying that though, driving schools are more inclined to offer discounts for block bookings and this should be noted as well.

Flexibility

You want a driving instructor that has some flexibility about lesson times – just in case something comes up and you need to reschedule. An instructor that can accommodate weekends and evenings is also beneficial.

It may take a few lessons for you to decide if you like your chosen instructor but you’ll probably find that the first one you choose will adapt to fit your expectations without you even realising it.