[Mojojojo]

I'm just wondering, there's a company where i go to college that offers 10 lessons for £153 and my friend passed with them, or there's another with 10/12 for £200 or so, and then an independent one in my village that charges £22 per hour lesson but everyone raves about how good he is?

In your experience, which are better, those from companies or independent instructors? Like which is less likely to say you're not ready and make you book tens of lessons extra - rip you off?

[dreamer247]

I think it depends on the instructor but personally I think companies are more likely to try and rip you off and get as many lessons out of you as possible. I am with a private instructor and the only thing that is a bit annoying is he doesn't work at the weekends but I know I am going to pass with him and he has a high first time pass rate. If I were you then I would pay that little bit extra to go with the one who is suppose to be really good since you could save money with him. If you have less lessons with him than the cheap company then it could turn out cheaper. I have been lucky and i pay 10 lessons for £200

[b1505]

I think it depends on the company. The company I'm with is really good but I'm doing a
semi intensive course so I'm not sure how good it would be for normal lessons. My friend's instructor used to work for another company where he was told that even when his pupils were ready for their test he should drag out the lessons to get more money.

[Aphotic Cosmos]

Small schools and private individuals are the best IMO. I was with BSM for my car licence and . . . mother of god . . . what a nightmare. The cost kept on ratcheting up, the guy was never on time and he eventually fled the country for tax evasion. The lady I had for my last four lessons and test was great, but she went independent by the time my little brother came to do his training earlier this year. I'm going with a great local school for my bike licence, but then again there's hardly the same type of market for bike instruction as for driving.

[ROG.]

Big schools may use ADI trainees

ASK for a grade 5 or 6 ADI

[Mojojojo]

(Original post by ROG.)
Big schools may use ADI trainees

ASK for a grade 5 or 6 ADI

Is DSA approved good?

[ROG.]

(Original post by Mojojojo)
Is DSA approved good?

All ADIs have to be DSA approved

They are graded from 1 to 6 but only 4 to 6 can teach for payment

Those who have got to a certain stage but are not yet full ADIs (trainees) can also teach for payment!!!

[hypercaine.]

I went with a company but it wasnt AA or BSM who ive heard bad things about, but one instructor from BSM may be great in one place and then on the other side of the country there could be one who isnt so great. I generally think companies are better as they usually have some sort of schedule for each lesson which means you know what youre doing, what you have (or havent) covered and you know the instructor knows too!
I always advise asking people you know who have passed or are learning, I asked a friend who passed first time and they recommended my instructor and I also passed first time. No idea what ADI grade he was but he was very good, I dont think things like that are the be-all and end-all.

[marcopolo1]

Independent recommended instructor.

Personally think BSM and AA are a rip off and you are just paying for the name.

[Mojojojo]

I've decided on an instructor now, so worried about driving so i hope he's nice!

[ROG.]

(Original post by Mojojojo)
I've decided on an instructor now, so worried about driving so i hope he's nice!

If you find you do not get on - change them - you are paying so its your choice

[victormeldrew]

(Original post by hypercaine.)
I went with a company but it wasnt AA or BSM who ive heard bad things about, but one instructor from BSM may be great in one place and then on the other side of the country there could be one who isnt so great. I generally think companies are better as they usually have some sort of schedule for each lesson which means you know what youre doing, what you have (or havent) covered and you know the instructor knows too!
I always advise asking people you know who have passed or are learning, I asked a friend who passed first time and they recommended my instructor and I also passed first time. No idea what ADI grade he was but he was very good, I dont think things like that are the be-all and end-all.

Correct. Personal recommendation is the way to go. But it must be from someone who has passed. People who are still learning are not in a position to know if the lessons are any good or not.

Take a look at my YouTube video ' Choosing a Driving Instructor ', by lacontrabasse. It will give you some idea about how to judge the quality of your instructor's lessons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suo-MMnYOcO

[M4LLY]

I had an independant instructor and he was absolutely lovely. He was cheaper and we basically talked about anything and everything when i was learning