Learning to drive any vehicle whether that be a car, motorcycle, heavy goods vehicle or passenger vehicle, can be one of the most nervous and terrifying experience a person can go through. It can also be one of the most rewarding and liberating. It is therefore essential for anyone who wishes to learn how to drive, that they find the best driving instructor or school to suit their needs and provide the best value for money.

This is where the confusion and problems begin.

There are approximately 25,000 different driving instructors and schools within the UK, each one having their own advantages and disadvantages. This article has been created to provide some basic guidelines and advice to potential learner drivers in the UK. It is designed to help them select an instructor that suits their individual needs and provide some hints and tips to help them get the best value for their money by utilising discounts and special offers.

Before we move onto identifying the best instructors and schools, we first need to discuss the different approaches a learner driver can take to successfully achieving their goal of obtaining a driving license. These are:

Driving Instructors & Schools:

This is the most popular method for potential learner drivers as it allows the student to learn at a pace and budget which is comfortable for them. The learner driver selects a professional driving instructor or school and begins lessons at agreed dates and times. The learner driver then begins to learn all the skills and techniques over a set period of time which will allow them to successfully pass both driving exams (theory and practical exams) and be a safe driver for life. This is the ideal route to take if the learner driver wishes to learn at their own pace and are not limited by time constraints etc.

Intensive/Crash Courses:

An 'intensive' or 'crash course' as they are most commonly called is an alternative way to learning the skills and techniques required to pass the driving exams. This is achieved by intensive tuition over a set period of days, usually 8 - 10 hours per day studying and practical experience, set over a time frame of between 7 - 10 days. This route is usually taken by learner drivers who are in a hurry to pass their driving exams (maybe due to new employment requirements or other reasons).

Family & Friends Tuition:

Although not as popular these days as the above methods, learning to drive a vehicle can also be taught by family and friends. Although this is the least stressful route of tuition as the learner driver will be in the company of people they know and trust (and might be taught for free), this is the least advised as it is very probable that the learner driver will pick up bad driving habits from family and friends.

Now that we have discussed the possible routes for a learner driver to take in order to achieve their driving license, it is a good idea to discuss the things a learner driver needs to successfully identify the best driving instructor or school for them. It is also recommended to take all the advice below into account before any money is handed over to an instructor or school!

Qualifications:

The first thing a learner driver needs to be assured of, is the professional qualifications which that instructor or school holds. The qualification to look out for is the ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) certificate provided by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) which is a green coloured badge and is displayed in the windscreen of the instructor's vehicle. It is a good idea to check with an instructor that they carry this green badge before any money is exchanged.

Prices:

This is usually the first thing a learner driver considers when selecting an instructor or school but it is not necessarily the most crucial. The average price in the UK for a 1 hour lesson ranges from approximately £18 to £25 depending on the area and instructor chosen. Whilst price is a major factor of the decision making process, it is also worth checking to see what you are getting for your money. Some instructors may charge the top end of the price range but will include extras such as a home theory test learning CD, log of progress and other helpful additions.

Discounts & Promotions:

Another factor which a learner driver will take into account when selecting the ideal instructor or school for them is the range of discounts and promotions on offer. For example NUS student discounts etc. One of the most common discounts available is the price deduction for block bookings of 10 or more lessons. If an instructor is charging £20 per 1 hour lesson and you block book 10 lessons, you could save between 10% - 20% off the total price. Other common discounts include the first lesson being free, family/friend referral discounts and 2 hour lesson discounts.

Professionalism:

Another factor which needs to be taken into consideration is an instructor or school's professionalism. This means how reliable and competent an instructor or school is. This can be very difficult to identify at first but things to look out for, are if the instructor or school uses brand new or fairly new vehicles, if their vehicles have dual-controls, if the instructor can accommodate your needs like picking up/dropping off at work etc and if the instructor specialise in new or nervous students. By assessing the instructor's or school's professionalism first, your could save a lot of time and money in the future.

Taking advantage of the above hints and tips, will help cut down the possibility of being ripped off, choosing the wrong instructor and therefore having a bad experience full stop. To help future learner drivers, we have created the following check-list which will help them identify the best instructor or school for them and give them the greatest possible chance of passing their driving exams in the most cost-effective and pleasurable way.

1. Identify what approach you wish to take, do you need to learn to drive quickly or can you learn at your own pace.
2. Assess what your needs are, do you need to learn to drive on a small budget or can you afford more flexibility?. Do you need to learn at specific times such as before or after work or can you pick and chose your dates/times etc. You may also need an instructor who specialises in students with disabilities.
3. Do your research!...Find instructors or schools which operate in your region only and ask your friends and family for potential contact details. Research instructors thoroughly by using the Internet or contacting them direct. Ask the right questions as specified above and make sure the instructor ticks all your boxes and provides the best value for money.
4. List the top 5 instructors or schools you have chosen in order of your preference as this way, if your first instructor doesn't meet your requirements before or after booking lessons for whatever reason, you have another one to fall back on.
5. When you are ready to book lessons, book 1 or 2 lessons first so you can assess if the instructor is right for you. Once you are happy you have found the right instructor for you and they can adhere to your requirements, then you can block book lessons but always make sure they are professional and fulfill their side of the deal.