There are four main things to consider in choosing an instructor:
- Does the Driving Instructor cover your area? i.e. Taunton, Wellington, Bridgwater, as well as outlying villages and areas in between?
- Is the Instructor a fully qualified instructor (ADI)? Your instructor MUST, as a legal requirement, display their licence in the window of the vehicle that they are using at all times of instruction. If they are an ADI they will have a green licence, if they are a trainee (PDI) they will display a pink licence. Both will display the instructors photograph facing into the car.... Check it matches your chosen instructor!
CHEAP LESSONS ARE OFTEN A HUGE CLUE POINTING TO AN ILLEGAL INSTRUCTOR.
Such driving instructors compromise your (or your child's), as well as other road users' safety, with, frequently dangerous information.
You can check their credentials with the DSA or any instructor organisations they're a member of; (in my case the DSA, D.I.A, I.A.M or the CRB).
ABOVE ALL, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR CHOSEN INSTRUCTOR, PLEASE DO NOT PAY PRIOR TO THE LESSON/COURSE UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN!
It is illegal to give instruction for payment or reward without an ADI/PDI licence, this even includes fuel money and favours! However, anyone can supervise a learner, if the person supervising is over 21 and has held a full licence in that category for at least three years.
An ADI displays a green licence with an octagonal logo, and has passed all three exams; Theory, practical and then ability to teach.
A PDI displays a pink badge with a triangular logo, and has passed only two exams; but has not been examined on the third (ability to teach), this is without doubt the most important part!
Some of the larger driving schools will use trainee driving instructors for tutoring; charging the same price for this, often substandard tuition, as they charge for the ADI's. You're unlikely to be told about this at the time of booking, if you are, then it's equally unlikely that the pit-falls of choosing a partially qualified instructor will be explained.
These trainee's are unfortunately, rarely supervised while tutoring.
- The ADI's grade.
The grading of the instructor is something that many people are not aware of. Once the person has become an ADI they will have regular 'check tests' to determine the standard of their work. The check test involves a senior examiner from the DSA (Driving Standards Agency), sitting in on an ADI's lesson. The examiner looks at the ADI's teaching and problem solving skills and gives the ADI a grade based on what he/she has seen. Some subjects that are looked at during these check tests are; lesson planning, thoroughness of content, accuracy, problem solving skills, question and answer technique, adaptability to different learning styles, manner, presentation and pupil understanding of the topic, to name but a few!
Grade 4: they are deemed to be teaching at a satisfactory level.
Grade 5: they are deemed to be teaching at a good level.
Grade 6: they are deemed to be teaching at an excellent level.
Grade 6 instructors such as myself are rare, for obvious reasons. Of those, many no longer teach learner drivers; concentrating instead on the more lucrative market of training PDI's (trainee instructors). I enjoy teaching drivers of all abilities and will not go down that route!
The grade appears on a certificate from the DSA which the instructor should have no qualms about showing you to prove their grade if asked to.
You may find that you pay a little less for a lower grade instructor (they keep prices low to generate business, rather than relying on a reputation built over many years, or their recommendations. These instructors quickly go out of business once their pupils realise the tuition is substandard, leading to further reductions in price to attract more pupils, which then makes the business unprofitable and unsubstainable). However, it is much more likely that you would have to pay for more lessons to pass your test, making the cost higher in the end. From a financial point of view it pays to learn with a higher grade instructor in the long run, (and you can rest easy in the knowledge that you've been taught to the highest standard, with nothing missed out).
- The final thing to consider is that you need to get on with the person you choose. Have a telephone conversation with them and try to determine if you feel at ease with the person. Do you feel they would be approachable? Has the person got a sense of humour? Do they sound as if they enjoy their work? Are they chatty with you? Do they sound confident? Do they sound experienced? Do they seem honest?
Remember that you need to feel comfortable and relaxed with whoever you choose, to be able to learn effectively. Do remember though, that if you start with someone and find you don't get on with them, you can always change your instructor. Don't feel you're tied into anything, any one person or organization.
Contact me on: (Taunton) 01823 430094 07931707855
or
mail@1styoungdrivertraining.com