Choosing the right driving instructor

Choosing a driving instructor isn't the easiest thing to do - often you can be overwhelmed by the amount of driving schools out there when you're ready to learn to drive. Let's look at top 5 things to consider:

1. Recommendations - If you have a friend(s) that has learnt to drive why not ask them who their instructor was and if they were happy with the service? It's one of the most trusted ways of choosing a driving instructor.
2. Instructor Grade - It's a little known fact that there is a grading system for driving instructors that reflects their ability as an instructor. Usually carried out around every 2 years, an instructor is 'check tested' by a DSA examiner. This is where the examiner sits in the back of the car to observe a lesson conducted by the instructor. When the lesson is over the examiner grades the instructor on their ability, the grades range from lowest (grade 1) to highest (grade6). Only around 6% of instructors achieve a Grade 6 and it's the highest grade possible, around 20% achieve a Grade 5, and the industry standard is Grade 4 with around 70% achieving this particular grade. The lower grades are not acceptable and would result in further tests and/or disqualification from the instructor register. So make sure you ask about your instructor's grade!
3. Pass Rate - Not as important as you'd think and sometimes extremely misleading. For a start, there's nothing to stop an instructor from simply picking a pass rate out of thin air - how would you know? Also an instructor can claim to have a 100% pass rate but this might mean that 100% of their pupils eventually pass but only 20% first time! Lastly, at the end of the day the driving test of a pupil is ultimately out of the hands of the instructor - I've had pupils who I know have been taught well and are good drivers who simply through nerves and pressure of the test fail to perform as they can on the day. This results in a drop on my pass rate but it doesn't necessarily reflect on how well they've been taught.
4. The Car - Does the instructor have a relatively new, modern car? Some instructors lease cars so as to get a replacement as often as every 12 months in some cases. It's not ideal to be learning in a car that's several years old and on it's last legs - so make sure you ask before deciding.
5. Trainee Instructors - Also unknown to most of the public, a part qualified instructor is legally allowed to give paid instruction for a maximum of 6 months. Not all driving schools will be forthcoming with this information though. You can check to make sure your instructor is qualified by looking at their instructor badge colour displayed on the windscreen, green is fully qualified, pink a trainee.

Choosing the right driving instructor is important so make sure you consider these factors before you decide.

If you require a driving school in Tunbridge Wells or Sevenoaks that has only fully qualified instructors with a minimum of 5 years experience including a Grade 6 instructor, click the link.