Choosing the right instructor for you..

Finding a driving instructor that has availability at the moment is like gold dust; few and far between. So now more than ever it is really important that you choose the right instructor for you.

How do you know who is the right instructor for you? Here are some tips on what you should be looking for when searching;

1. Make sure that when you contact them, that you're honest about any driving experience you may have, any anxieties that you have towards driving and if you've taken a test(s) previously; what have you failed on?

2. If you book a lesson with them, treat it like an assessment lesson. You need to make sure that you feel comfortable and safe with the instructor and that you feel they are listening to you and taking on board any concerns that you may have.

3. Ask lots of questions and get a feel for how the instructor responds to you. Remember it is YOUR lesson and the best way to learn is to ask, listen and understand.

4. At the end of the first lesson, my last question to my student is always 'are you happy to continue with me as your instructor?' This question for me is the most important one of the day as I need to know that my student is happy with me as a person, that they feel they've learnt something and that they would be happy to spend 2 hours a week or more in a car with me! It would be very awkward if not!

If you can confidently tick the boxes of all of the questions above with a big firm YES then that is the instructor you should go with. Remember, you'll learn more and quicker if you enjoy your lesson and have a good rapport with your instructor. Learning to drive WILL change your life and open up so many new doors for you. The independence you'll gain from it too is such an exciting prospect.

I try an get my students to visualise what they will be doing once they've passed and how it would make them feel to just be able to get into a car on their own and drive to MacDonald's with their friends. These techniques are a great way to overcome nerves and fears whilst learning plus they give you a goal to work towards.

So if you are looking for a driving instructor, try the tips above and hopefully they will help secure the right driving instructor for you.