The very first step at learning to drive is finding your driving instructor. There are a few aspects to take into account here and we’ve put together a few pointers to ensure you make the right choice.
Before we continue, we’d like to make it very clear that it should not be a case of ‘who’s the cheapest’, as this could be detrimental to your learning experience.
Should I find the cheapest option?
Choosing the cheapest option can be very tempting.
However, you must remember that the cheapest does not always equate to the best value.
A lower hourly rate does not mean you’ll spend less in the long run, as choosing the wrong instructor could ultimately result in more lessons total.
Instructor experience
The second aspect you should take into account is the level of experience the instructor has.
This is crucial to your decision making, especially if you’re nervous about learning or have a specific set of skills you wish to acquire.
A more experienced instructor will be better at calming your nerves. The alternative to this is having an instructor that encourages you to try new things quicker, which may result in passing within fewer lessons and potentially saving you money.
This decision comes down to your learning preference.
Check the reviews
Instructors and driving schools will have reviews from past students. You’ll find these on their own websites, Yell or Trustpilot.
Social proof is the best way to see a true representation of instructors abilities.
People sharing their own experiences can give you a clue into how an instructor approaches their teaching, which techniques they use and which paths they take to ensure you are successful.
Seek offers and discounts
This is where the term ‘value’ comes in.
You’ll normally find the bigger driving schools offering discounts in an effort to undercut the cheaper local instructors. If you can find a prestigious driving school with lots of positive reviews, they could well be worth a shot.
The other offers you might see are money off or completely free first lessons if you book a certain quantity of lessons in advance. This is another way you could get a cheaper licence.
Book an assessment lesson
An assessment lesson provides two main benefits:
- You’ll test the driver-instructor chemistry before fully committing to the full course.
- You’ll get an idea of how fast you can pick up the basics and what kind of learner you are.
An experienced instructor will also be able to estimate how many lessons it may take until you’re ready for your test. They will have seen your learning type and speed before and can make an assessment based on that experience.
The wider picture
Again, ‘value’ is the main thing to consider. Cheapest price doesn’t mean saving money in the long run.
You need to find the best ratio of price and instructor quality to ensure you book and pass your test within a decent amount of both time and money spent.
Look at the wider picture and consider all of the variables before making an informed decision.
WeTrust is a nationwide community of hand-picked, high-quality and trusted driving instructors. Book your first lesson with WeTrust Driving Lessons now and learn from some of the UK’s top-rated instructors.