Driving Lessons Needed!???????

I own and run a driving school myself and am happy to give you some "advice" :)

Look around long enough and you'll find someone in your area doing cheap driving lessons...but be warned, reliable, experienced instructors with a good reputation are busy and NOT cheap.

Cheap does not necessarily mean good quality...

A "cheap" driving instructor must work many more hours to make the same money as one charging the market rate...teaching people to drive requires a HUGE amount of concentration and alertness and a driving instructor who is having to work long hours to make enough money to live is going to be tired...this may affect the quality of their tuition....

Also many driving instructors who work for schools who offer what seem to be "cheap deals" are trainee driving instructors, not experienced, fully qualified instructors.

This means that they have only passed the first two stages of their driving instructor qualifying exams - a Theory Test and an advanced driving test. They have NOT passed the final and most difficult qualification - the test of ability to teach. So you may well end up with an instructor who is a good driver but not a good teacher...over 95% of people who start training to be driving instructors do NOT ever manage to qualify as driving instructors.

Trainee instructors can only teach for a 6 month period as trainee licences are not granted for longer periods (except in special circumstances), so if a trainee does not manage to pass their final exam by the end of the 6 months, they have to stop instructing and you would then need to find another driving instructor, often at short notice.

It usually saves money in the long run, to have lessons with an experienced, fully qualified driving instructor with a good reputation as they tend to get pupils to test standard quicker and in a smaller number of lessons due to their experience.

Many "cheap deals" that seem like "bargains" can end up costing you far more than you had bargained for - it costs all driving instructors more or less the same amount of money in overheads to give a lesson, so those who offer cheap prices need to "make up their money" somehow...ways in which this is done include telling you need more lessons to get to test standard than perhaps you really do or "saving money on petrol" by spending lots of time parked up "explaining" things to you for ages, rather than doing much driving...

The best way to find a good, relaible driving instructor is by personal recommendation - do you or your Mum know anyone who has learnt to drive recently and who can recommend the person they learnt with?

If not, do some research on the driving schools in your area, big and small - don't just assume that the big national driving schools are the best - they're no better and no worse than ANY OTHER driving instructor...their instructors folowed EXACTLY the same qualification process and follow EXACTLY the same regulation process as those who don't work for big national driving schools.

In fact, several of the large national driving schools use a VERY HIGH percentage of trainee instructors...and unless you ask, you will not routinely be informed that your instructor is a trainee and you are usually charged the same lesson rate as you would be charged for a fully qualified instructor.

Look around websites, ring up some schools and go with someone you lke the sound of - many schools/instructors will be happy to offer a trial lesson (often at a reduced rate) so that a prospective pupil can be sure that they like the instructor before committing to booking a course of lessons.

It IS a good idea to get practice with friends and relatives if that is possible, BUT, they should work WITH your driving instrctor to reinforce and practice what you learn on your lessons rather than "teach" you and it is advisable to get a few lessons under your belt first before going out with anyone other than your instructor. Driving instructors are professionals, qualified to teach people to drive safely. They do not pass on bad habits or bad practice and they know EXACTLY what standard is required for the Practical Driving Test. They are also far more likely to teach you in a patient, calm and professional manner - I've heard some horror stories about frayed tempers and family rows caused by relatives/friends trying to teach people to drive ...driving instructors also have dual controls and the skill and expertise to get you out of trouble if needed...friends and relatives don't ;)

Here are some links with guidance on how to choose a driving instructor and directories with driving instructors in your area;

I agree with the person who said cheapest isn't always best. Either way, go online and search driving schools in your area or look in the phone book. Even walk around town and you'll probably see either the driving schools or learner cars with the details on.

Getting insured and learning to drive with a family member or friend is also a good idea, not because of cost really, but more because of extra practice - always helpful. Always best to have at least a few official lessons

Hi, all driving lessons are expensive today no matter who you go with. The best recommendation I can make to you is to get your mom to go with the AA driving school. They only use fully qualified professional top instructors who will give your mom the best value for money. They are not the most expensive and are the best.

hey! the element in taken training is to check and dont worry ur instructor isnt gona estimated you to be amzing on your first training. if he's a sturdy instructor he will take you someplace somewhat like an industral materials and chat to you for somewhat see what you realize or although then he will supply you a pass and it is often truly common stuff in case you dont have a clue what to do. surely dont worry interior some training you start to truly savour urself and believe me while u bypass your try the liberty of having your guy or woman motor vehicle and with the flexibility to easily force off everywhere is amzing! its nicely worth it so stick it out! and sturdy luck!!! and remember ur instructor is there to show you, and your paying them so ask them to describe a million circumstances in case you like too. and if that instructor doesnt artwork for then you definately locate yet another one! yet youl be advantageous its exciting and is lots easyer that evidently...... nicely as quickly as you get the dangle of it :)

Tell her to get insured for a friend or family member's car, and just get out & practice. Learning purely with an instructor is fantastically expensive.

Theres loads of driving instructors in that area and cheaper is not necessarily better!

Look in the local yellow pages or http://www.yell.co.uk/