DRIVING LESSONS
So you have your provisional licence and you now want to start learning how to drive.
You have two main options as to how to go about learning:
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You could learn with a friend or family member.
This person, however, must be over the age of 21 and must have held a full licence for three years for the class of vehicle you wish to drive. Be aware, however, that this person may well not have the experience, knowledge or training to be able to teach you all of the skills required to pass a driving test, let alone to become a safe driver.
As a learner driver you must display 'L' plates in a visible and prominent position on the front and rear of the vehicle you are driving.
Also, the vehicle will need to be insured for you to drive as a learner driver.
Advantages
1.Lessons will not cost you much, if anything - The accompanying driver is not allowed to charge you for their tuition.
2.You can learn in your own car.
Disadvantages
1.You will have to pay the insurance costs to allow you to drive the car as a learner. This may cost quite a lot.
2.You will almost certainly not have dual controls in the vehicle meaning that your accompanying driver cannot help if you get into difficulties.
3.Bad habits passed on - Your accompanying driver may not practice good driving habits and cause you to learn the incorrect way to do things. This could cost you dearly on your test.
4.Your accompanying driver may well not be aware of current practice or be up-to-date with current legislation.
5.Lack of experience - If you are struggling with a particular skill, your accompanying driver is unlikely to have the experience necessary to adapt their teaching to overcome the problem.
6.Can lead to rows and disagreements which can cause friction in families and friendships.
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You could take lessons with a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or Potential Driving Instructor (PDI).
ADIs are all trained and tested to rigorous standards and are better equipped than anyone to teach you the relevant skills needed to pass your driving test and, more importantly, to become a safe driver for life.
In order to qualify as an ADI, driving instructors need to pass three separate exams. An ADI will display a green badge in the windscreen of their tuition vehicle. Some trainee instructors elect to obtain a short-term trainee licence in order to gain experience before they pass the third exam. These instructors are known as PDIs and display a pink badge in the windscreen of their tuition vehicle. It is important to note that a PDI has not yet passed the third exam which is a test of their instructional ability and that the pass rate for this exam is only 25%. Many large driving schools make extensive use of PDIs. Unfortunately, some of these schools do not volunteer this information to potential pupils and certainly do not offer any reduction in price for lessons with a PDI. You are entitled to know whether your instructor is an ADI or a PDI, so it is worth asking this in advance.
If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only a PDI or ADI are allowed to offer driving instruction for money.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) check the standards of all ADIs on a regular basis and awards grades (from 1 - 6) according to the standard of tuition they provide.
Advantages
1.You can have confidence that your instructor is up-to-date on all aspects of driving.
2.Your instructor will tailor their tuition to suit you as an individual.
3.Your instructor will use a dual-controlled car so that he/she can help you if you get into difficulties.
4.Most tuition vehicles (including those operated by Go School of Motoring) are modern, well-maintained and equipped with numerous safety features.
5.You can be sure that the tuition vehicle is suitably insured.
6.Your instructor will be able to advise you what training aids to use, when you are ready to take your theory and practical tests and how best to practice with a suitable accompanying driver if this is possible.
Disadvantages
1.Learning with an ADI or PDI will cost you more money than the other option. However, this is offset by the increased likelihood of you becoming a safer driver and passing your test sooner.
2.Learning with a PDI could leave you needing to change instructor if they do not pass their final exam before their short-term pink licence expires. They cannot then carry on teaching.
How Many Lessons Will I Need?
Everyone is different and learns at their own pace. Some people will need longer and some people need less.
As your lessons progress we will be able to advise you how many hours you are likely to need.
The biggest reason for pupils failing the driving test is that they sit the test before they are fully prepared. Our policy is to fully prepared you to sit the driving test and, more importantly, to prepare you to be a safe driver for life. To this end, we will only advise you to apply for the test when we feel you are ready for it.
For details of our courses click here.
For prices of our lessons click here.
