Top 10 Driving School Tips for Consumers

• Ask about pass rates
Let’s face it the whole aim of driving lessons is to pass your test so you should definitely ask about the instructor’s pass rates when you call to book lessons. If they can’t give you a straight answer in terms of a % that pass first time then you should look elsewhere.
• Seek recommendations from friends
Good driving schools and instructors get most of their pupils through word of mouth advertising. If you know anyone who’s recently passed their test then ask them which school and instructor they had. It’s important to bear in mind that not all the instructors at one particular driving school will teach the same way.
• Book a single lesson first
Driving schools often use block booking discounts to attract new pupils, but it’s best to book a single lesson first so you can get a feel for the car and see what you think of the instructor before you commit yourself to more lessons.
• Ask about the age, make and model of car
When you’re paying your hard earned money for driving lessons you’ll want to know that the car you’re learning in is relatively new, safe and comfortable. For example if you’re 6 ft 4” tall it may not be practical to learn in a small car like a Nissan Micra or a Mini.
• Look for testimonials online
Most driving schools these days have their own website and usually you’ll find testimonials from pupils who have passed their tests. You can also look for reviews on Google local map listings to get an idea of the best driving schools in your area.
• Don’t hop from one driving school to another
Driving lessons are expensive and it can be tempting to jump from one school to another every time an introductory offer for a block booking of lessons ends. The trouble with this approach is that you’ll have a new instructor every 5 or 10 lessons as well as having to get used to a new car. Changing driving schools to try and save money is a false economy as it will usually take you much longer to pass your test.
• Ask about the driving school’s cancellation policy
When you book a block of driving lessons in advance you don’t know if you’re going to be ill when you’ve arranged a lesson or when something else more important might crop up. Therefore it’s important to ask about the cancellation policy as many schools will charge you for a lesson if you don’t give them 24 hours or 48 hours notice.
• Sit your theory test as soon as possible
It’s only natural to want to start your practical driving lessons as soon as possible after getting your provisional license, but you must pass your theory test before you can sit your practical test. With this in mind, the sooner you pass your theory test the better so that you don’t have to delay your practical test when you’re ready for it.
• Speak to your instructor on the phone before booking
When you’re calling a local driving school to book lessons you may not get the opportunity to speak to your instructor. It’s a good idea to ask to have a chat with them in advance of your first lesson to find out what they’re like and if they seem like someone you want to learn with.
• Look at the badge colour in the windscreen
There are two types of driving instructor on the road, fully qualified approved driving instructors (ADIs) and provisional driving instructors or trainee instructors (PDIs). The main difference is that PDIs haven’t passed the 3rd and final test on instructional ability.
You can ask if your instructor is an ADI or PDI when you call a local driving school to book lessons or another way to check is to look at the colour of the badge displayed on the windscreen. ADIs have a green badge and trainee instructors have a pink badge.