You can choose an instructor based on their grade, whether they are qualified or a trainee, private or part of a school, or if they have a high, or average pass rate.
These are not meant to be perfect answers, but they may remove the "fog" to help you decide. There are some great instructors out there, some have a high pass rate, but a lower grade, some not so high, but a high pass rate,some grade sixes and grade fours, qualified and trainees, not to mention schools and private instructors.
Make your choice based on what is best for you and don't be blinded by the fog. Whoever you choose, good luck and drive safely.
Instructors are check tested every two to four years by a senior examiner, who grades them 1 to 6.
Grades 1 to 3 are fails and they have to resit the test to keep their licence.
Grades 4 ro 6 are all passes, based on the DSA standards. However, many senior examiners have never been instructors and can only assess "by the book".
There are two kinds of check test. One is for the majority of driving instructors who teach learner drivers. The other is for a small number instructors who are both learner driver instructors and fleet qualified instructors (of which I am one), these instructors take a different type of check test.
Remember a high grade doesn't guarantee a high pass rate, even instructors can be nervous under test conditions.
Like learner drivers an instructor has to pass tests to be able to teach.
The first is a theory and hazard perception test, like learner drivers, but with a higher pass mark.
The second is a driving test, where they perform all manoevres and are allowed only six minor fauts.
After passing these two tests and instructor can recieve a PINK TRAINEE licence and can teach whilst practising for the next test.
The third and final test is the ability to teach test. This is the one that examines whether an instructor is fit to teach. Not everyone passes this test, so if an instructor is teaching on a pink licence they could fail the ability to teach exam.
This badge is displayed in Trainee Instructors car windows. The instructor has passed a Theory and Hazard Perception Test. They have also passed an enhanced DrivingTest. However, they have not passed the Instructional Test, they are training for this and if they fail three times they will lose their licence to instruct and will have to start all over again (most don't continue)
The green badge is displayed by a FULLY qualified instructor. They have passed the same tests as a trainee, but they have also passed the Instuctional Test as well. When they are check tested every 2 to 4 years they are tested at this level.
When these two badges are displayed the instructor has passed all the tests to be a FULLY qualified instructor. The second badge shows that they are also qualified to assess and train experienced FLEET drivers as well. When they are check tested every 2 to 4 years they are tested at the FLEET level, not the L test instructor level.
A school will have more than one instructor, this can have both advantages and disadvantages.
First you have a choice of instructors and if you need to change you can do. However, they may simply leave and you could end up having 2, or more instructors. There is also a greater chance that your instructor is a trainee, see above.
Private instructors have to be fully qualified and you will have continuity as there is usually just one instructor.
An instructor can have a high pass rate for several reasons.
They may work part-time and only teach 5-10 pupils a year, so a few passes appear to be high.
They may specialise in certain types of pupils, an instructor specialising in young males under 25 will probably have a high pass rate, but this group are involved in the most accidents.
An instructor who has a lot of nervous pupils will have a lower pass rate, but these pupils often turn out to be the safest drivers. (I tend to get more than my fair share of nervous pupils).
Sometimes it is simply down to a run of similar, like minded pupils. I have lost count of the times I have spoken to instructors and we have all had, at some time, a prolonged run of passes, or a prolonged run of fails, these cannot always be explained.
This will depend on a number of factors, This is something we will decide together when you are almost ready for your test. I say almost, because there is always a few weeks waiting time for driving tests, so we will try to predict when you are ready so that that day coincides with your driving test day. By us doing this you shouldn't end up paying for unnecessary lessons.
The most common question is how much do you charge? The reason most ask this is because they want the cheapest hourly rate, but this makes little sense. Why? Because if an instructor is offering cheap lessons there has to be a reason and you need to know that reason. Special offers are one thing, but cheap can mean inferior quality.
Would you buy your first car if it was £50, or would you spend a bit more to get one that is reliable and safe? This question can be adapted to apply to any purchase, including driving lessons. Cheap does not mean you will save money, you could actually spend a lot more in the end.
This depends on you, do you want to pass your test to be a safe driver for life, or do you just want to pass your test as cheaply as possible?
If you are good and take to it well, whilst having some private practice as well, then you will learn to drive and pass your test more quickly than someone who doesn't.
Driving is a skill for life and if not taken seriously can have catastrophic results. Personally I put myself through regular advanced driving tests, to ensure that I am keeping myself up to date and maintaining my skills.
The first requirement to learning to drive is your Provisional Driving Licence. Then you need to learn to pass your Driving Theory and Hazard Perception Test. Finally you will need to pass your Practical Driving Test.
Any more questions?
Then email me your question, on the contact page, and I will endeavour to answer it.
