If you have recently started looking for a driving instructor in London, then you will soon begin to feel a little spoiled for choice. In fact, new driving schools and new driving instructors appear to pop up around every corner with startling frequency these days, it seems to be a boom time in the ‘teach people to drive’ business category!

The reason for this is simple, due to the uncertain economic conditions, lately, both for the driving schools and for everyone else, some of the larger schools have latched on to the idea of expanding their instructor training courses. And in order to market these courses, some schools are telling people that they can earn lots of money as a driving instructor, and that it’s relatively easy to set up your own driving school – of course, that marketing message leaves a lot out. And now we have an abundance of new schools popping up, creating a lot of competition for customers.

So, if you are looking for a driving instructor in London, then you need to know the right questions to ask, in order that you find a well qualified and properly trained instructor who will optimise your lessons to benefit and suit you.

Here are five tips to help find the right driving instructor for you:

1. Driving Lessons You Can Afford

Probably the first question that everyone asks a driving school is ‘how much do the driving lessons cost?’ After all, no one wants to pay more than they have to, and there is a wide range of prices. But that’s not the only financial question you need to ask – what you should really be asking is ‘how many lessons will I need to take?’ You see, there is no point in choosing the cheapest lessons available, if you end up taking more lessons than necessary, or perhaps even failing your test!

2. Learn To Drive At The Right Time of Day

Taking driving lessons for the first time requires you to be at your best. Before you even book your lessons you should take a look at your weekly schedule to decide which would be the most convenient days, and the best times of day, for you to take your lessons. Equip yourself with this information before interviewing a driving school. If an instructor cannot give you lessons at the times which are most convenient for you then don’t engage them. Lessons can take place over a period of months and they must fit into your schedule, or else your preparedness to learn could be affected.

3. Handling Your Driving Fears and Phobias

Many new drivers experience anxiety about the prospect of taking driving lessons, or about specific driving skills such as driving in traffic or parking. These concerns are quite natural. It is a big step you are taking. Before engaging a teacher, it is a good idea to mention these worries and listen to the reply. A teacher must be considerate of their students, and this is a good test to discover whether you will be comfortable learning from them.

4. What Does The Driving Teacher Sound Like?

The relationship between teacher and student is important. But what is more important is the attitude of the teacher towards their students. Are you just another ‘pound sign’ stepping onto the ‘conveyor belt’ of their business, or will your instructor tailor your lessons to fit your needs and abilities? When you speak to a driving school make sure you get to speak with an instructor, not just a sales person. And as you are talking to them, consider whether they are discussing your needs or just trying to book you. You might find that the attitude you experience during your first phone call with them, will be the same attitude you get throughout.

5. Look for Satisfied, and Successful, Customers

People don’t want to take driving lessons, what they really want is to be able to drive! Of course, we all want to learn to drive, but really we are looking forward to that moment when we have our own car parked outside and we can simply get up and go whenever we please. It’s a great thought – and an exciting prospect.

So, ask your instructor about previous students. Ask if there are any testimonials you can read, which have been written by satisfied customers. Ideally, ask if you could speak with a past student who is happy to talk about their experience of learning to drive with the instructor. If the school has a website, look to see if there are photos of successful students holding up their pass results.

If you want to find a good driving instructor in London then you need to ask the right questions. Don’t pick the cheapest lessons, because you might end up taking more lessons than you really need. Make sure your instructor can teach you at the times which are best for you, not the most convenient for them. And find an instructor you can talk to, who is happy to talk to you about your needs without just trying to sell their service to you.