Learning to Drive

Learning to drive is an expensive business, so its crucial that you choose the right instructor for you. First of all they must be approved or registered with the Driving Standards Agency. Nine out of ten learners who passed their practical test on their first attempt were taught by an ADI approved instructor.

How to choose the right driving instructor for you.

• Friends or relatives are great especially if they have used a particular instructor and can recommend them.
• Search online. There are lots of great online directories set up where you can search your local area.
• Ask for the ADI’s instructors standard. The DSA regularly checks the standard of instructors and then gives them a grade. ‘4’ is satisfactory, ‘5’ is good overall standard, whilst ‘6’ is the highest grade an instructor can get.
• Make sure you are driving and not spending a lot of your time static talking things over. You need to be practising as much as you can in order to progress.
• If you don’t feel comfortable with an instructor, talk to an adult and find a new instructor. As a pupil you will have your own preferred learning style and if you don’t feel comfortable you will not learn to the best of your ability. Remember, you are paying the instructor, so you must be confident when you are learning.

Questions to ask a potential instructor:

The number of lessons that might be required.

The teaching methods they use to teach a pupil.

The car used.

How flexible they are with appointment times and where they can pick you up and drop you off.

Ring a few before you make a decision. You will be able to tell a lot about the instructor by talking to them first.

Find out why young people have accidents during their first year of driving and how you can be a safer driver.  Click here