It can be nerve wracking finding a driving instructor for the first time. It is for a lot of people their first step to real independence. We have put together some information to help find the perfect instructor for you. 

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Qualifications:

Ensure the person delivering your driving lessons are suitable qualified. It is against the law for any one to teach for reward. How to identify a qualified driving instructor.

A qualified instructor must display a badge in the window of their tuition vehicle. This badge will be either be a pink badge or a green badge displayed below. 

A pink badge will be displayed by a "PDI", this means "Potential Driving Instructor". A PDI has done all the necessary training to become a driving instructor but is awaiting their final test, know as the instructional ability test or part 3. Some may choose to charge a lower rate but they can charge a standard rate.

A green badge will be displayed by an "ADI", this means "Approved Driving Instructor". An ADI has completed all tests required to be a driving instructor and is fully qualified. 

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To find qualified instructors you can check out the Gov website. This will not display PDI's though so you maybe limiting your search. But its a great place to start.​​

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Time-tables:

Make sure to choose an instructor that has the availability you need. Its a good idea to think about when you would like your sessions before you start looking. Its one of the first questions you'll be asked by the instructor as they will need to know if they can align diaries to fit you in. You may find it difficult to find an instructor if you have ever changing schedules. Think about how many lessons you would like per week. What days and times you can commit to. if you have any unavailable times in the next few weeks for holidays, working away, etc.

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Cost:

The average cost of driving tuition around Nottinghamshire is around £37-£40 per hour. With many offering discounts if you block book. The time it takes to learn to drive varies massively from person to person. Whilst some people can start and pass their test within 20 hours, some people may require over 80 hours or in rare cases over 100 hours. You should consider the cost of learning to drive. For example, a 2 hour weekly session will cost you around £75 per week. If you are for any reason unable to budget for that weekly amount, we advise you to wait until you can. If you have to have random breaks in your driver training it will likely cost you more in the long run.

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Driving Schools / Independent instructors:

Large schools will typically have more availability due to them having more instructors. But quite often cost a little more. You may also see "hidden costs" in the form of payment charges. If you do go with a large school its worth asking your driving instructor if they accept bank transfers. There are no fees there which will save you a couple of pounds for every lesson. it may not seem a lot but if you require 40 lessons before your test ready you would have paid over £80 in fees. That's the cost of an extra 2 hour lesson.

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Driving Test Fees:

Some instructors / schools may charge extra for use of their vehicle for your driving test. We have heard stories of some instructors charging over £150 for use of their vehicle. It is a question you should ask before booking your first session to avoid any disappointment later down the line.

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Male / Female instructors:

All driving instructors must apply for a DBS check and keep it up to date by law. That applies to both PDI's and ADI's. Another reason to ensure you're dealing with qualified instructors. A recent study shows that female instructors are charging a little more for tuition. This is likely due to demand, as many young women prefer to seek female instructors. Many instructors will offer an initial session for you to meet your instructor. If you find for any reason that you don't like that instructor, its your decision if you wish to look for a new one. We advise you do an initial session before block booking and paying for several hours.

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Finding the right course for you:

Its important to have an idea of how you wish to learn to drive. Whilst crash courses can sound appealing due to it being much quicker to pass. You should consider that not everyone is suitable. If you have no experience in driving it may not be for you. You also need to consider driving test wait times, Often people complete the crash course but then are unable to find a driving test, then after weeks of searching find a test but cannot find an instructor to take them.​​​​​