Passing your driving test is always a nervous and costly affair, but a top driving expert has claimed it doesn’t have to if potential drivers heed five tips when selecting their instructors.
Research has shown that most people spend an average of about 1,500 euros on driving lessons, with sessions rising from just £23 in 2019 to a whopping £34 now – a 47 per cent increase.
And if students fail their test and have to book another, they always need more, which can result in a further spend of £575 – or more if all lessons are to be repeated.
However, experts on A plan insurance claiming to have analyzed hundreds of thousands of reviews left for the country’s driving instructors.
They then compiled a five-point list of things to consider when choosing the most effective teacher for you.
There are many pitfalls that learner drivers can fall into when choosing an instructor
A helpful and effective driving instructor can save you a lot of money on your way to success
Too expensive lessons that are too short
A common complaint that many learner drivers noted in their reviews was that they paid huge sums of money in advance for lessons, which were then much shorter than promised.
Unfortunately, the research showed that this is a tactic that many instructors use to make more money and as the practice test approaches, some try to insist that more lessons are needed, resulting in higher earnings.
To save money, compare how much your friends are spending on their lessons and look at multiple instructors’ rates before you book.
And if a lesson is shortened, don’t stand behind it.
Patience when teaching slow learners
Another common problem some learner drivers had was the perception that their instructors lacked patience and understanding of their burgeoning skills, resulting in a number of short exchanges in the car.
A knock-on effect of this can be that some drivers don’t attend their lessons or learn to drive at all because they’re afraid of dealing with another frustrated tutor.
If you don’t fit in with your instructor during the first few classes, it’s time to switch – and the sooner you do it, the more money you’ll save.
On average, learners spend £1,500 trying to pass their driving test
Lessons canceled or rearranged at the last minute
An unreliable instructor is like a bad hangover, it ruins your day.
There’s nothing more frustrating than plans that don’t follow through after you’ve spent all day preparing them – but unfortunately many novice drivers have experienced this.
It’s important to check instructor ratings before asking a question, and pay attention to how they manage their schedule.
Making students unsure about their skills
Some students have reported feeling woefully underprepared to take up driving on their own after their lessons have ended and they have passed their exams.
Most instructors try to make sure you are confident enough to continue navigating the roads on your own once lessons are complete.
Some even offer additional highway driving lessons to boost this confidence.
Be sure to check reviews to see that previous clients feel confident about how their instructor left them at the pinnacle of their learning journey.
Skipping important facts while teaching
Some instructors teach by following a particular lesson plan or curriculum for all their students, but others may use it if they tell you specific information.
This maverick approach can be a bit too disorganized for many students, as many complained that they never learned the most important information they need to pass their test after class.
Driving schools generally have more structure than individual instructors because they are held more accountable, but pay attention to when your instructor tells you things – and how.
Commenting on the survey, an A-Plan Insurance spokesperson said: ‘Learning to drive is a hugely subjective experience, as how well you do depends on several factors – including where you live, how old you are and which instructor you have. go for.
“Too many instructors are not held accountable for how they behave in class, how they manage their schedule, and how their pricing structure works, which can make many students reluctant to continue their classes or hire another instructor.
“More importantly, students shouldn’t feel bad if they have to switch instructors or schools halfway through class — it just means they’re putting themselves first.”
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