Choosing A Driving Instructor

There are several driving schools across the UK that provide different levels of driver training. The UK has a range of intensive driving schools for learners where they can except to learn how to drive and pass within one week to one month. Several driving schools provide hourly lessons at hourly rates of around £20-25. There are also large, national driving schools like the AA and BSM and small one man driving schools that target specific areas of the UK. BSM also has a virtual driving theatre at some of their offices that allow learners to virtually experience driving for the first time.

Before taking any form of practical driving training, it is important to look at the latest version of the Highway Code and familiarize yourself with the signs as well as some basic rules and regulations. However, because your first driving lesson is an introductory lesson, your driving instructor will show you a pictorial driving book and explain the basics to you before he physically gets you to drive.

All driving instructors are graded on three levels by the DSA:

1. Grade 4 - competent driving instructor

2. Grade 5 - a good driving instructor

3. Grade 6 - a very high standard driving instructor.

Coming back to the cost of driving lessons, these can vary not only with the driving school you are with but also with individual instructor and the area that you are driving in. Driving lessons are generally more costly in the south of the UK as living expenses are quite high.

However, if cost is an issue and you are looking to get really cheap driving lessons then don't be fooled by the different offers that driving schools promote. Sometimes they may be extremely cheap because they are not using approved driving instructors. On the other hand they may lure you in with the special offer and then ask you to take further training at the standard rate, possibly more training than you require.

Most driving schools will generally offer a discount if you book in blocks of 10 lessons whilst others will give you one free lesson if you book in bulk. Some schools also offer student discounts. Ensure that you have done all the necessary research on the instructor and know what you are getting for your hard earned money. Personal recommendations are often the best pointers especially as different instructors have different personalities and styles of teaching.

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Arnold Reed-Henderson is a writer covering topics such as car finance and car loans.