What to look for when booking a driving instructor

One of the biggest challenges for any learner driver is looking for a driving school to learn the in’s and out’s of driving. Sure, parents can be great teachers, but most of them passed their driving test many years ago, and the criteria driving examiners are looking for may have changed in this time, or the learner driver might feel pressured by the parent when they make mistakes.

Having driving lessons with a reputable driving school will help ease the nervousness that can come from learning to drive, as well as prepare for the driving test ahead. So, what should you be looking for in a driving school? Let’s take a look at the list below.

The first, and maybe the most important thing is to look for a driving school that will give you the option of sticking with one instructor. Having multiple lessons with different instructors is quite disruptive to a learner driver, as every instructor teaches differently. Having one instructor for all lessons will allow the learner driver to bond with their instructor, helping them feel more comfortable in the car and aiding in the learning process.

The second thing to look out for is the option for all lessons to be taken in the same vehicle. Most driving schools will have a number of vehicles available, all of which feel and drive differently, and have different controls.

Whilst gaining experience behind the wheel of a range of vehicles can be useful, sticking to one vehicle for your driving lessons will provide you with much-needed familiarity and confidence.

Having all lessons in the same vehicle will remove the need for the learner driver to familiarise themselves with the controls every time they have a lesson, which allows them to concentrate on driving. All driving school vehicles should also have dual controls, which allow the driving instructor to take control in the event of an emergency.

Many driving schools also allow for the driving test to be carried out in the same vehicle that the lessons have been taken in, further helping the learner driver feel comfortable and allowing them to concentrate on driving.

The next thing to look out for is the option to take a practice test. Most driving schools that are well established will know of the test routes and criteria that the driving examiner will be testing for and can provide a practice test for the learner driver to experience what their test may be like. This helps reduce nervousness and prepares the learner driver for their driving test.

Finding a driving school that suits your learning style can be a challenge, but finding a driving school that meets these criteria will put you well on the way to obtaining your driver's licence.