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How do I choose a Driving Instructor?
I think the weather is too bad to take my driving lesson. What should I do?
How do I choose a Driving Instructor?
If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only a registered approved driving instructor (ADI) can charge money for teaching you to drive.
Recent surveys indicate that nine in ten learners who passed both theory and practical tests first time were taught by an instructor. A fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the car whie teaching you. Some trainee driving instructors are granted a licence so they can gain experience before their qualifying examination. In this case, the trainee driving instructor must display a pink certificate on the windscreen.
DSA is responsible for maintaining and checking the standards of all approved driving instructors (ADI), who to qualify must:
- have held a full driving licence for at least four years
- pass a much tougher theory test than the one learner drivers take
- pass a strict driving test
- reach and keep up a high standard of instruction. The standard of tuition given by the ADI is regularly checked by a supervising examiner from DSA
- be registered with DSA
- display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle
You should take advice from your ADI on:
- all aspects of driving
- what books to read
- when to take your test
- how to practice
All APEX Driving Instructors have achieved a minimum grade 5 in their "check test" with the DSA and that we have no trainee instructors.
The minimum acceptable standard in the DSA "check test" is grade 4 (around 50% of ADIs). The best ADIs are grade 6 (around 1%) with grade 5 ADIs making up the rest.
"Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice. Learners who combine professional instruction with private practice are also more successful on test."
This is according to official Driving Standards Agency Statistics.
However there is no such thing as the "average person." APEX Driver Training tailors it's driving courses to meet the individuals needs. If you are not a beginner or have an aptitude for driving then we will move you through the course quicker or begin at a point more appropriate to your ability.
The person supervising me when I practice says I should change down through the gears as I slow down. My Instructor says I should "Block Change" the gears. Who is correct?
The person who is telling you to change down through the gears has been taught an old fashioned way of driving, now considered incorrect.
Back in the 1970s, the brakes on most cars were not very powerful (drum brakes) and became less effective with use as they heated up (brake fade). It was necessary to change gears at higher speeds so that the braking effect of the engine (engine braking) helped the brakes cope.
Modern cars have disk brakes which do not suffer with brake fade in normal use. Modern techniques require using the brakes to slow down to the appropriate speed and changing directly to the correct gear (block changing) before accelerating again.
Block changing is smoother, and is considered more safe because you hands are on the steering wheel for longer.
I think the weather is too bad to take my driving lesson. What should I do?
Nothing! Your instructor will be monitoring the road conditions and will contact you if your lesson needs to be rearranged or cancelled.
Many factors influence your instructors decision. Your skill level, changing weather conditions, council gritting, etc. Often your instructor will only be able to make the decision as to cancel or not less than half an hour before your appointment.
If you are not contacted by your instructor you should assume that your lesson will go ahead as normal.
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