Why
this is an important decision.
Your
Driving Instructor will be teaching you a skill that will last your
whole lifetime. Not only that, but it’s a skill that has
life-changing consequences: Learn well and your life will open up in
freedom, opportunity and independence; learn badly and you could
cause a horrific accident. In addition, you’re going to be
spending an average of around 45 hours sitting next to this person in
a car, spending an average £20 per hour. It’s worth choosing
carefully.
Options
You
can be taught by anybody who is over the age of twenty-one and has
held a full driving-licence for at least three years, and as long as
you are covered by insurance for the vehicle you are driving. Only
an Approved Driving Instructor (or trainee) who is registered with
the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is allowed to charge
for driving lessons. They must have a badge in their car window, and
will be graded by the DVSA between Grade 4 (competent) and Grade 6
(best). An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is the best option
because they have experience and skill in teaching people to drive,
know the driving test syllabus and have chosen their vehicle with
learner drivers in mind, though it’s also helpful if you can get
practice in between your lessons with a friend or family member.
How
to choose
Going
by personal recommendation is a good place to start. If you’ve a
friend who has recently learned to drive and they are happy with the
instruction they received, then find out who the instructor was. Ask
around and get a few positive recommendations. Next, have a look at
reviews on the internet, and look at the driving instructor’s
website if they have one. Ignore “pass rates”. They aren’t
that helpful because there is no consistency – a 100% pass rate
might mean that all their learners passed their test but it took them
four attempts; it might mean that 100% of the learners who took their
test one week last June passed! Speak to the instructor and ask them
questions. How do they teach? Do they specialise in nervous
drivers? What kind of car do they use? Do they follow a plan? Do
they record coverage of the syllabus on the Driver’s Record?
Having
a trial lesson first.
Ask
for a trial lesson before you commit to anything. You’ll soon see
whether or not you and the instructor get on, and whether you’ll be
happy with them. Look for a clean and uncluttered car interior,
punctuality and professionalism. Ask about the Driver’s Record and
if they will have a plan for what will be covered each lesson.
While
you will often get a discount for block-booking lessons, don’t
commit too far in advance. If you find out that you don’t get on
with the driving instructor after all, or you are unhappy with their
instruction for any reason, then you can change driving instructor at
any time.
If you would like
to learn to
drive in Glasgow contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.
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