How to choose a driving instructor

It’s important to take your time over choosing a qualified driving instructor or driving school.

After all, you could be sitting next to him or her for upwards of 40 hours, maybe be sharing some challenging times learning to cope with today’s busy roads and spending over £1k on your driving lessons - if you take the average 45 hours @ £35 per hour - it soon adds up!

If you live in the Scunthortpe or Brigg area we think that the Broughton School of Motoring should be your number 1 choice Click here to read some reviews and testimonials.

Here's some tips:

In the UK, driving instructors are licensed by the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA). Only licensed instructors (ADIs) or DVSA licensed instructors under training can charge you for driving instruction.

How can I tell if a driving instructor is DVSA approved?
It is important to check the badge in the driving instructor’s windscreen. A green octagonal badge shows the instructor is fully qualified and an ADI.

A pink triangular badge shows the instructor is not yet fully qualified, but undertaking practical training. They are allowed to charge for driving instruction but should they really charge the same as a fully qualified instructor?

How can I find a driving instructor?

You can find a local driving instructor using the DVSA's ‘find a driving instructor’ facility.

Or, you can ask your friends and family to recommend a driving instructor or driving school. (But remember, they must be an ADI or a DVSA licensed driving instructor under training if they are charging you for lessons.)

Driving schools or independent?
Some driving instructors work by themselves, while others are part of bigger driving schools such as the AA, BSM or Red. Whichever driving instructor you decide to go with, try to talk to the instructor (not a salesperson) before booking any lessons.

If you call the Broughton School of Motoring on 0784 00 55 462 you'll definitely speak to your instructor. You can also arrange a free home visit before you book.

What qualities should you expect in a good driving instructor?
Like any teacher, some driving instructors will be better than others. We have heard of one driving instructor who had a penchant for 1970s’ heavy metal on the car stereo.

Another driving instructor built in a trip to the butchers to pick up the shopping for his wife as an essential part of every driving lesson. But luckily this sort of poor behaviour is rare.

Good driving instructors should make the most of your lesson time. You should have their full attention throughout the lesson, with no stops to pick up or drop off, fill-up with fuel or make phone calls. They shouldn’t shout or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, even if things go wrong.

Your driving instructor should always:

• Be punctual;
• Arrive in a clean well-maintained car;
• Have a prepared lesson plan based on the DVSA Syllabus;
• Have clear, fair and well communicated terms and conditions.

Driving instructor checklist:

• What car do they use and is it fitted with dual controls? Our car is a smart, dual controlled Ford Fiesta.
• Does the driving instructor pick-up other students during a lesson? (This could impact on your lesson time and divert the driving instructor’s attention.) We NEVER do that.
• Are any additional study aids such as DVDs or workbooks included in the price? All our students get free theory test training. 
• Do they offer home visits? We're always happy to visit you in your home so you can meet your instructor and see the car you'll be driving before you book any lessons.

Call, send a text or a WhatsApp message to Steve Watson on 07840055462 to ask a question, arrange a home visit or book your driving lesson.

Other ways to contact us.