Still puzzled as to who would be the right person to teach you? Well, at the end of the day the only thing you can do is take the plunge and try an instructor. If you don’t like them then just try around. Everybody gets on with different people, so the instructor that your mate is with might not necessarily be someone that you would get on with.

Here’s some pro’s and con’s about both local and company instructors to get you started on your big voyage…happy driving people!!:

• The fact that you have chosen a well-known company means that you shouldn’t have too many problems. Just think: they must be good to become so large and well known in the first place!

• The instructor will be genuine and reasonably qualified – (Look for their badge on the front of the car. Different shapes and colours will represent how qualified they are.)

• The car should also be of a reasonably good standard. Hopefully new-ish, small and compact. Three factors that are ideal for learner drivers!

• Reputable companies will always have dual controlled cars. This means the instructor will have pedals to control the car as well as you. Something, which will make you feel safer as you step into the car for the first time.

• Driving Schools offer a whole host of additional services, which are free as long as you book your lessons with them, these include computerised theory testing and interactive driving tests.

• The prices may be a lot more expensive than usual. Make sure your paying a reasonable price (£14-20/hr) for a good instructor. Sometimes with the larger companies you can end up paying for the name rather than the quality of teaching.

• Talking of teaching – just because the company is well known, doesn’t necessarily mean that the instructor allocated to you is brilliant. Sometimes they’re maybe a few instructors that just aren’t that great.

• Going with a big company means having to do your lessons in a business-like manner. Your lesson will start at a certain time and end exactly an hour later as these companies have busy schedules. You may not be able to see your instructor when you want due to their busy schedule too.

• The fact that they will be local means that it should be easier to arrange lessons with them, and at times that are convenient to you.

• As they are not working for a large company less money will be needed for them to keep the car running. So the lessons should in fact be cheaper. Around £12-16 is a reasonable price.

• A local instructor can also be friendlier and less business-like. You might find that your lessons are a lot more personal to you and your driving needs. This is because the instructor will have his own personal schedule to work with and not a companies.

• As long as you make sure the instructor’s qualifications are all above board; check that their car is one you feel you can drive and has dual control, then you can’t really go too wrong with local instructors.

• However do be careful and check that the instructor has all the right credentials.

• The additional features of Driving Schools are very unlikely to be available

How should you learn to drive?

Back to Driving Front Page

Learn to Drive...Starting Out