How to find a driving instructor

Written by Johanna Burridge on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 09:52AM
Filed in: All about driving instructors
Comments: 3

How to find a driving instructor

Finding the right instructor

It is very important that you find the right instructor for you - not for your parents or your friends or the rest of your family. You have to like your instructor or you will find it very difficult to learn with him/her.

Ask around and find out which instructors names keep popping up - if lots of people says they are good it might well mean they are. It does not neccessarily follow that they will be right for you.

One easy way of tracking down driving instructors is to do some online research - put "Exeter driving instructor" (or whichever town you are looking for) into search and then email them all with a brief outline of what you require.

Your email may look similar to this: "Hi, I am looking for a driving instructor in Exeter. I am 17 and have never driven before. I would prefer a small car to learn in. Could you please tell me about yourself and your charges. Thank you"

You should be looking for a response similar to this: "Hi, thank you for getting in touch. My name is ***, I have been an instructor for ** years and my pass rate is ***. My grade is ***. I teach in a dual-controlled *****. My charges are £*** per hour. I offer **** discounts. I would love to teach you and could start your lessons ****. Please let me know if you would like any further information or if you would like to book your first lesson. I look forward to meeting you."

You should expect a reply within 48 hours.

So, when you have received your replies, you will need to decide which instructor to learn with. Look through the emails and discard any that you don't like - go with your gut feeling. Did they give you the information you were looking for? Did they have the right qualifications? Try to narrow the emails down to about 3 or 4 and then phone each one up. Were you able to get through to them? If you left a message, did they get back to you quickly? Did they make a good impression? Were they helpful? One instructor will probably stand out from the others.

A Tip

When you email an instructor it is worth remembering that they are the experts in their field. It would not be right to say "I have never driven before and am looking for an instructor who can teach me in under 20 hours".

You will have little or no idea how long it will take you to learn to drive - everybody is different and instructors would not be able to answer this enquiry.

Governament statistics show that an average 17 year old will take 45 - 50 hours professional tuition plus 23 hours private practice. But please do remember that everybody is different and learn at your own pace. It will be worth it in the end.

About the author
Johanna has been a top-grade driving instructor for 18 years and now trains driving instructors.

Comments

1. Hi
   I am looking for a new driving instructor as my last instructor kept shouting at me. Can you tell me if your instructors shout. Lots of my friends have learnt with you and say you are nice. I am scared of learning. Can you help?

   Written on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 22:25hrs by Louise Allen

2. Cheers mates!! Never thought I would pass both theory and driving tests 1st time with such high scores!!! 1 minor on me test - cool! Will tell all me mates. Youre great had fun. Jo was a grt help sorted all my probs. Well worth the price would have paid double - way better than those other prats who messed me up!!!!!

   Written on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 23:04hrs by Jason Hutchings

3. I passed!!! Yes yes yes!! Wow cant believe it. I did it!! 1st time and all. All power to you Jo thanks everso. 4 instructors told me I would never drive but you had faith in me - thank you so much. I can go for that promotion now. You have changed my life. Thanks a million!!!!!!! XXXXX

   Written on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 23:16hrs by Paula Stone