Selecting a Driving School

With effect from 30th April 2009 all driving instructors will be required to be approved by the Road Safety Authority. It will be illegal to conduct lessons for payment from that date - each instructor will have to carry a RSA issued identification badge.

So, needless to say the first question to any instructor will be whether she/he is approved by the RSA. In doing so, why not ask what marking they received in their Part 3 exam. That's the one that tests their instructional ability and ask to see the report for confirmation. Remember, instructors can make pretty well any claim without having to back it up with proof. For example, when they claim a 90% pass rate in their pupil's driving tests, how are you to know? Well, now you can at least ask for proof of how they scored in their own exams.

As in all walks of life, experience is a big factor in being a good driving instructor. After I passed my DIR exams to become a driving instructor I reckon it took another two years of practice before I really felt that I was reasonably competent. And, 16 years later, I'm still learning!

Ask if they have any other relevant experience such as advanced driving. Remember that to teach you need to know more than the person you are teaching.

Engage with them in general conversation about driving. You may get a feel for their enthusiasm and commitment to their profession and to their business. Are they only about teaching you to get from A to B, or are they only interested in getting you through your test? Because there is a lot more to driving than those two objectives. There is instruction and there is education.

Ask friends who have been through driving training for a recommendation.

Finally ask the price and remember that an instructor who quotes a low price may be betraying a lack of faith in his own ability.