Battle Of The Driving School vs The Private Instructor

As we all know when it comes to learning how to drive we can either go with an independent driving instructor or go with a well established driving school. Some learners will go with an instructor who has been recommended by family or friends while others will search in yellow pages or online for someone who teaches in their neighbourhood.

Driving school instructor facts

• If you choose a driving school to learn how to drive, the lesson fees will be a little higher than an independent instructor but this is not always the case as it also depends on where you live
• Just because a driving school has been around for a long time doesn't mean it's the best; they build up their reputation so seek reviews and first hand recommendations from people you know
• Driving schools tend to have the same style of teaching; since they have built up a good reputation in the area they will know what works and how to get students to pass quicker
• Contrary to common belief, instructors want all their students to pass first time so they don't want to convince you to keep taking lessons any longer than you need to
• When you choose a driving school you are given an instructor but if you do not like them or have problems, you can usually change instructors quite easily

Driving schools are usually a franchise so when an instructor qualifies to start teaching they usually go on company training and pay a weekly fee for the driving school to keep providing students. Driving instructors from a driving school heavily rely on recommendations so they can get many pupils; without any work coming in they cannot teach.

Why is a driving school better?

Due to the number of instructors available, it's quite easy to find someone who is able to teach you at a time most convenient for you. If you don't like the instructor you can just change, usually in time for the next lesson. As the bigger driving schools have been around longer they will have expert knowledge on how to get the best out of each student and due to dual controls you can rest assured that all lessons are insured and safe. Driving schools also have intensive training and criteria to meet so don't believe all the adverts that claim it is easy to join. Only 5% of applicants make the cut and ADI training is so time consuming and difficult that only 35% will actually continue to pass the course.

Driving schools are also better in terms of safety; too many times I have seen cars with tinted windows and unsuitable vehicles being used as driving school cars. If you have a too powerful car, you may find it harder to adjust to a more practical smaller vehicle with a smaller engine. Sporty cars and older cars should also not be used as driving school practice; always look for the green badge on the window and make sure it matches the vehicle registration. If in doubt, you can always call up the DSA and make enquiries or lodge a complaint.