Taking driving lessons? How to choose a driving instructor

The very best thing you can do when learning to drive is to find a good, local driving instructor.

You might be able to find a parent or friend willing to teach you but the reality is that this person, who may have been driving accident-free for many years, will have some gaps in their knowledge. Nor will they have the skills to impart all this knowledge to you. As a result, you will end up with an incomplete set of skills to be safe driving on todays roads. You might be able to pass your test, but will you be safe and accident free after you have passed? By all means get their help, but get some proper lessons too.

Make sure you get a fully qualifed Driving Standards Agency approved driving instructor - ask to see their green badge (trainee driving instructors will have a pink badge). Book a trial lesson - you will be spending lots of time with your instructor, so make sure you are happy, if not, try another instructor. (www.greatdriver.co.uk uses only fully qualified instructors).

Do you have any friends taking lessons, or already driving? Which instructor did they choose, were they happy with them? Like any industry, there are some great instructors out there, but unfortunately there are some cowboys. You're instructor should be professional and listen to your needs and concerns. They should be patient and understanding, and NEVER shout at you.

They should give you enough lessons, to teach you to drive safely as well as passing your test, and no more. Make sure you are making progress and learning each lesson, driving around the block is a waste of time if you are learning nothing. If you are not happy tell your instructor, and if they can not put your mind at rest do not be afraid to try someone else.