"made me feel completely at ease"

“Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing to thank the school for providing me with the skills to pass my driving test.

Having failed my driving test twice thirteen years ago and having not been behind the wheel since, I was quite wary about trying again. But my instructor, Martin, made me feel completely at ease. The course had more structure than my lessons years ago and, I have to say, the professionalism and manner in which Martin teaches had me wishing I'd been able to learn from someone like him from the start. I think he must be the most patient person I have met!”

Anne Chamberlain, Morden, Surrey.

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Choosing A Driving School

Size

Larger schools can often offer a replacement instructor in the case of absence and sick leave, and additionally they sometimes have driving simulators for students to practice with and gain confidence. On the downside however the personal touch is often lost and prices can be much higher. Additionally, smaller schools tend to get the majority of their business from satisfied customers which provide them much credibility.

Location and Availability

It is vital to think from where the majority of the lessons will be leaving from and choose an instructor who will be easily able to pick up from there. If you live far from the test routes but your school is in the same area, it might be worth organising the lessons from school so there is no great distance (which takes time and money) before reaching the all important test area. It’s also essential to decide when you will be wanting the majority of your lessons, as some instructors won’t offer early morning, evening or weekend lessons which is something to watch out for.

Assistance with Theory

Some instructors will offer help in the run up to the theory test by asking questions and offering advice to get you through the dreaded paper. This can prove invaluable to a student driver, not least for the confidence boost but also for the great opportunity the student has to ask questions. Some larger schools even offer touch screens to rehearse for the big day on.

Post Test Support/Pass Plus

Often students wish to undertake a motorway lesson once they’ve passed their test. If you would like to have this then check before you begin that lessons of this kind will be an option. There is also the Pass Plus course which you may choose to undertake. This provides more advanced knowledge and training of different driving situations. This course often makes car insurance cheaper. Not all instructors are registered to teach this however so this must be researched in advance.

Added Extras

Some schools, especially some of the larger ones offer plenty of added bonuses to your tuition. This can include video footage and simulators back at the driving school to help the student learn. If this is a priority then ask the school when you contact them.

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Need help choosing A Driving School or Driving Instructor?

Then read the FREE "Essential Guide To Choosing Your Driving Instructor".

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The Essential Guide answers questions such as:
* "How do I assess the quality of a driving school?"
* "How many lessons does it normally take to pass my test?"
* "How much should quality driving lessons cost?"