My son wants driving lessons - any recommendations of schools

[clorogue]

My son is over the moon he has got his provisional licence come through today. As it is years since I have been through this process, has anyone had any lessons recently and if so any tips or recommended driving schools, best deals, what to look out for etc.

Many thanks

[cathtee]

I would recommend........... My husband but then i'm biased.

My advice shop around, some company's and i know i can't mention names, but they advertise really cheap lessons but don't tell you its not a full hour. Make sure that it will be a full hour and that they don't piggy back pupils by this they don't pick up next pupil and then drop you off.

Good luck in finding someone for your ds

[kellib]

I would suggest asking people, if you know any, who have recently learnt to drive, I think it's always better to go with someone that's been recommended than anyone else.

I got my driving instructor through a recommendation from my cousin's friend, she's just an independent teacher and I've had lessons for 6 months now and am just about to sit theory and practical tests

[sarah707]

I have just booked some for ds - he is 17 tomorrow!

he asked his friends at school for recommendations and watched out for cars that pick up outside at the end of the school day.

We have chosen someone local rather than a company - he might be a bit more expensive but he comes recommended.

I hope you find the right person. Don't be afraid to try a few lessons and move to someone else - not everyone's style will suit.

Hth

[loocyloo]

i second trying a few and moving on if someone doesn't suit.

i had an instructor who had taught lots of my parents friends children to drive. i loathed him and refused to go anymore after my 3rd lesson ... my parents were not happy as they had paid for 10 lessons in advance! i was very nervous about driving ( my father was killed in a road accident ) and the instructor told me i was being silly and to get over it ! he also sighed everytime i didn't do something correctly! ( oh, and he smoked and the car smelt . he was part of a 'chain')

i didn't get in a car for a few months after that, and then my step dad took me out once a week. eventually a year later i was confident enough to try another instructor (independant) ... this one had got my friend through her test and was great. really calm and patient. i did eventually pass my test!

[kindredspirits]

Make sure your instructor has a green badge, not a pink one. Green ones are fully qualified ADIs pink ones are training. I would avoid Red like the plague as well.

[tulip0803]

Make sure your instructor has a green badge, not a pink one. Green ones are fully qualified ADIs pink ones are training. I would avoid Red like the plague as well.

Agree! My son had lessons with them instructor said was ok to put in for his test so he did and the inspector disappeared off the face of the earth! RED sent a letter thanking him for choosing them and his first 2 hour introductory lesson would take place on such and such date 4 days after his actual test date. He had to cancel his test because they could not fit it in and they insisted he was a new customer and would need to do the introductory lesson and so many more lessons before they would put him in for test. All local instructors wanted to do several lessons first to check his competance.

Local seems to be a much better idea than national ask his and your friends for recomendations.

[charleyfarley]

I used a local, independent school and he was fab, he even tought my son to drive, although we moved before he passed

Good luck to your son

Carol xx