How to Choose an Instructor

The driver training industry is “regulated” (some would say this is a loose term) by The Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The DSA devise and administer the Theory and Practical Driving Tests, under the instructions of the government of the day.

To qualify as a driving instructor a candidate must pass a three-part examination, also as laid down by the DSA. Part one is a theory test. Part two is a driving test, and part three is an “ability to instruct” exam.

These examinations are exacting. Some would say that this is shown by the fact that well over 50% of those who begin this training fail to qualify. On the other hand this might well be a result of a poor selection process by those who train instructors.

Would-be instructors must take training from an ORDIT registered trainer. This means that the trainer has been assessed by the DSA as fit to carry out this work. Clearly they charge for this training (typically £2000 or more). One Managing Director was once asked what qualities he looked for in those wanting to become driving instructors and his reply is reported as, “Two hands, two feet, and two grand.”

Before beginning to teach, all instructors must undergo a police check, so that known criminals, paedophiles etc. are weeded out. There is no training or checking of any kind in good business practice, ability to relate to, understand, and handle people.

The examinations result in a grade of one, to the highest of six.

A grade four must be attained to qualify as an instructor. Only some 7% of instructors are graded six at any one time.

All instructors must undergo Check Tests - usually every two to four years. At this time grades are awarded anew. An instructor may lose his license to instruct if grade 4 is not achieved. A grade four is more likely to be checked in two years, whilst higher grades will be given longer between check tests. I have known there to be a six year gap between tests in the past.

First, be aware of this Trainee Instructor status. Such trainees must be sponsored by an ORDIT registered trainer, and are therefore more likely to be with a franchised instructor operation. If your chosen instructor is a “one man band” business, then this should not be a problem. But if your chosen driving school offers instructor training, it is possible that your allocated instructor may not be fully qualified. It is most unlikely that you will be told that your instructor is a trainee.

All instructors MUST display their licence on the front near-side windscreen of the training car. A fully qualified instructor has a GREEN badge. A trainee's badge is PINK.

Next you might like to ask what grade is your intended instructor, but this information might not be worth as much as it first seems. The majority of instructors are grade 4. Whilst this is the minimum required to qualify, it does not mean that such an instructor is only teaching at the minimum standard. It just means that a grade 4 is what he was awarded on the basis of one check test which might have been marked down for some pretty trivial, yet still justified reason.

On one of my check tests I was awarded a grade 5, and told that I had narrowly missed a grade 6, which I would have received if I had given more of a de-brief at the end, just before the pupil got out of the car. But I was keen to get it over with and the examiner had stressed a couple of times that he had limited time. After all, instructors can get nervous on test, just as any other candidate.

This is not sour grapes on my part, as my grade did not affect my business in any way, but it shows that although I was awarded a grade 5, my actual teaching during the body of the lesson had been of grade 6, or so my examiner had said.

So your instructor’s grade may not be such an accurate way of judging his abilities.

It is also not possible to check an instructors grade with complete certainty. Grades are not published by the DSA, and how are you to know if I tell you that I am a grade 6 if, in fact my grade is 4?

Another measure of an instructors worth might be shown by his/her pass rate. The national average, and the average for Carlisle where I teach, generally varies to some small degree in the low 40% range. An instructor with a good pass rate will be pleased to tell you. Again it is hard to check the truth of their claims, but it would be fraudulent for an instructor to claim a high pass rate that could not be supported with appropriate documentation.

Taking grade and pass rate together can appear to be contradictory. Earlier in my career, for a three year period I was graded at 4 but had a consistent pass rate of between 72 and 78%.

Pass rates are always changing. A pass rate for a period of one year may have some significance, but can be affected by other factors. An instructor with an established business will be more able to pick and choose his/her clients, and can choose to reject a pupil who is, or who they think might, be more difficult to teach. Also, for example, an instructor who specialises in the more difficult cases, could reasonably expect to have a lower pass rate, even though their teaching is of the highest standard.

So if you ask your intended instructor questions about his/her grade and pass rate, perhaps the way in which the answer is given will be more telling than the answer itself.

You might think that a newly qualified instructor is well placed to teach you as they will be well aware of all the latest developments and requirements of the driver training industry. This may well be the case. But there is no reason to think that an instructor of some standing is going to be out of date in any way.

There are many ways in which to keep up to date. The DSA go to some length to ensure that all instructors are well informed. All over the country there are local Instructor Associations where regular meetings are held to educate and inform. Is there one in your area, and is your intended instructor a member?

There is no substitute for experience for those who are learning to drive. Perhaps the same might apply to those within the driver training industry. I know that I have consistently learned more and more over the years, to the benefit of all my pupils.

I have had many pupils over the years who have come to me from other instructors because they did not like the car that they were being taught in. I have two at the time that I write this.

No instructor is going to tell you that he bought his car because it was big enough to take his wife and kids on holiday, or because he had always wanted one of that model, or because it was the best deal that any of the dealers were offering at the time. Any instructor should be able to give you good specific reasons why his car is good for the job.

Ask what the car’s turning circle is. (the circumference of the smallest circle that the car can turn round in, on full steering lock). The smaller the better for things like the Turn In The Road (three point turn). A Fiesta, a Clio and a Corsa are popular training cars and have a turning circle of around ten meters. Does the instructor know exactly what it is? Some cars have a lot smaller turning circle than that, even less than 5mtrs.

Are the seats adjustable for height? Is the steering rake adjustable? Does it have electric door mirrors and Air Conditioning? All these would help. Also, is it diesel or petrol?

Diesel engined cars are considered easier to drive, but if you learn on a diesel and then buy a petrol car after your test you might have a problem. If you learn on a petrol engine, you should be able to drive anything. Properly taught, a petrol engine should be no problem.

Well, OK, there is no reason why you should not choose a car because you think it’s pretty cool. Just don’t make it the only reason for choosing an instructor.

There are those who will always buy the cheapest. Some may feel they have no choice if they are under severe financial restraint - most of us know what that can be like. But cheap does not always mean value.

Consider the overall package that the instructor has to offer. Is there added value in some way? Does the instructor concentrate on test passes as quickly and cheaply as possible or on producing good drivers for life? If lessons are offered at a cheaper rate, you might wonder why an instructor would choose to be cheap. Is that the only way that he/she can get any customers?

Look at the value of what you will get and not just the price. I might say that I always work to get pupils through their test in the fewest number of lessons, but that is not enough. You need to know what an instructor does that will bring that about, not just some vague statement, and the hope that that is what will happen.

Look for value. You tend to get what you pay for.

Possibly the best way to choose your instructor is to go by a recommendation from a friend. Ask lots of questions about how their lessons where conducted, about the car and the instructor. But do be prepared to go elsewhere if you find that you do not agree with your friend. What suits them may not be right for you.

Book a single lesson to begin so that you can see if your chosen instructor lives up to expectations. If all goes well, you can then make a block booking if that is what you were looking for.

Be prepared to ask questions. Make sure that you are always happy with the way that your lessons are conducted. You should not, for example, be picking up or dropping off other pupils during time that you have paid for. No running of errands during lesson time, or long phone calls.

Look for someone else if you are not happy in  your choice. Don't put up with second best.

But remember that this is an instructor's way of making a living. Treat him/her with respect and all should go well. Make sure that you are always on time and have the means to pay for your lesson. Letting your instructor down at the last minute by cancelling or not turning up will soon lead to a breakdown of trust.

When you book a driving lesson, you enter into a contract with your chosen instructor, and that brings responsibilities to both parties.