Is there more to choosing a driving instructor than the price per hour???

So you have decided to start your driving lessons, where to begin?  Most people ask is how much do you charge?  Its a fair question, but is it the only question you should be asking?
As a qualified driving instructor im going to give you some insight into what you really need to ask whether its choosing an instructor or deciding if you are receiving value for money.


Number one has to be are they qualified?  Unfortunately there are some rogues around who take money for lessons illegally, unless you are a trainee instructor (P.D.I) or a fully qualifiedly instructor (A.D.I) you are not permitted to take payment for services rendered. The chances are you would be driving in an uninsured car receiving sub standard training.  Check for a green, octagonal DSA badge in the front windscreen of the tuition vehicle or if a P.D.I an Orange triangular badge. 


Will you have the instructors full attention, if you are paying for an hour or 2 hour lesson you want value for money, its your time after all!
Is your instructor punctual?  We all run behind from time to time, it could be heavy traffic or even a flat tyre but the hall mark of a good instructor is reliability. 


Am I making progress?  Are you stuck on the same roads lesson after lesson?  Sometimes it can take a few lessons to grasp subjects but is the instructor keeping things interesting and giving you the experiences and knowledge you need to drive independently?


Pass Rate?  Well if i was to say i have a 99% or even a 100% pass rate that would sound impressive. I dont well not first time pass rate anyway, figures and stats can be manipulated to give false impressions. It is a good question to ask, but it should only play a part in the decision process.


How many lessons will it take?  This is the real question, when it comes to saving money, you may go with the cheapest hourly rate thinking you are saving money.  What if for a few £'s more you could pass in 10 or 15 hours less, that's the real saving.  On this theme does your instructor give you feed back on your development?  Is he honest with how you are progressing?  We all want to be told its only going to take 10-20 hours but the reality can be much more. By recording your progress and getting honest feedback it becomes obvious how you are progressing and when you will be ready to take the test.


How do i get on with my instructor?   You are the customer, does he/she put you at ease?  Do you really want to pay someone to shout at you? We all learn in different ways, a good instructor will work to suit your style of learning, not try and force you to do it his/her way.


These are just a few hurried pointers, i hope it helps, The truth of it all is generally only 15-20% of my work comes from absolute beginners, most comes from other instructors, dissatisfied with the quality of tuition they have received. We all want to save money but please remember cheap does not always mean value for money. 


To any Learner drivers reading this good luck with your lessons and remember to enjoy it, the more you do the easier the learning process. :-)


Good luck!!!!
David Tuke  A.D.I

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