Finding the right driving instructor is not always easy. Here is a guide of things to consider.

The main choices you have are either an independent instructor, a smaller local school, or a large national school. They all have their pros and cons, but it really boils down to the quality of the individual instructor, and most driving instructors are self-employed, even if they work under a driving school name, it’s normally on a franchise basis. As a smaller local driving school ELITE always strive to maintain high standards of instructors working under our franchise, as we haven’t got the advertising budget of the large schools, so an excellent reputation is paramount.

Why is finding the right driving instructor important?

There’s an abundance of driving schools and driving instructors, so you’d think you’d be spoilt for choice. However, there are many things you need to consider ensuring that you find the instructor that is right for you, and learning to drive is a very individual and personal experience, and you’ll be learning an important life skills, that often isn’t cheap. So, you want to make sure that you get yourself the right instructor.

What do I need to know about my instructor?

Most importantly you need to know that your instructor is registered with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) as either an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) or PDI (Potential Driving Instructor). If someone is charging you for driving lessons then they legally must be registered, and display they certificate of registration in the lefthand side of the windscreen of their car. This will be either a square green laminated badge if they are a fully qualified ADI (Approved Driving Instructor), or a square pink laminated badge if they are a PDI (Potential Driving Instructor), also know as a trainee instructor. If they do not display this badge whilst they are teaching then they are breaking the law.

Why does a driving instructor need to be registered?

The DVSA ensure that all ADIs and PDIs are criminal record checked and renew their registration every 4 years. They normally also have to complete a “Standards Check” within that 4 year period. This means an DVSA ADI enforcement officer sits in on one of their lessons and grades their performance on 17 competencies. They are they graded a score:

  • 0 – 30 Unsatisfactory performance – Fail, and will usually be tested again within 3 months. If 3 Standards Checks are failed then the ADI will be removed from the register, and will have to requalify.
  • 31 – 43 “Grade B” Sufficient competence demonstrated to permit entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors
  • 43 – 51 “Grade A” A high overall standard of instruction demonstrated

Why can trainee instructors teach learners if they’re not fully qualified?

Trainee instructors must pass an enhanced theory test, known as the Part 1 test, and an advanced driving test known as the Part 2 test. They must then undertake 40 hours of instructional ability training before they can apply for a “Pink (or trainee) Licence”. A trainee must be sponsored by another instructor or school, that is responsible for ensuring they continue to take ongoing training and supervision before taking their final qualifying “Part 3” test, which is usually within 6 months. A Part 3 test is the same a Standards Check.

Are trainee driving instructors any good?

It really depends on the training they receive, so it’s a good idea to check who their sponsor is, and to check them out if possible. Comom feedback we at ELITE Driving School receive from learners that have had lessons elsewhere before moving to us is that our instructors are far better than previous instructors that they’ve had experience with, and that goes for our trainees too. All our instructors are trained in house, and our trainer has been a DVSA ORDIT (Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers) registered trainer for over 25 years. This ensures that all our instructors are trained to the highest standards. Trainees can often be better than some qualified ADIs, as they are fresh, keen, up-to-date with teaching methods, and haven’t slipped into bad habits, cutting corners and complacency. Many of ELITE’s driving instructors qualify on the first attempt at Part 3 test. The national pass rate for Part 3 for 2025 was only 28%.

How do I choose the right instructor?

The best route to finding the right instructor is referrals, recommendations, and reviews. Ask any friends that have recently learnt to drive if they can pass on their instructor’s details. Then check out that instructor’s online presence and reviews, and make sure those reviews are genuine. ELITE have profile pages of all of our instructors on our website, including a short bio of each instructor, a photo, and their  Google reviews.