Driving lessons in Bradford

Is your Driving Instructor a trainee?

All fully Qualified driving instructors giving Driving lessons in Bradford must display their green DSA (Driving Standards Agency) badge in their windscreen. This green license proves they've completed the rigorous tests set out by the DSA to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). Nine out of Ten people who pass first time were trained by an ADI.
The qualifying process consists of three tests:

theory (part one)
driving ability assessment (part two)
test of instructional ability (part three)

Once they pass all three it means that they can legally charge a fee to give driving lessons and have proved they have the ability to teach you.

Large Driving schools like Red, Bill Plant and BSM allow their Potential Driving Instructors (PTI) to take pupils out on lessons even though they aren't fully licensed. These PTI's must display the Pink Trainee Badge for this to be legal. These potential instructors might not ever become ADI's if they don't pass any of the tests in the first two attempts.
The driving schools won't tell you that your instructor isn't qualified but they will still charge you the full price for the lesson. Check that there's a green badge in the windscreen of your instruction car, if its pink then you might not be getting the instruction you are paying for.
I have the green badge in my window. This proves I have the ability, as tested by the Driving Standards Agency, to teach people how to drive. Whoever you choose to teach you, make sure they have the green license, otherwise it may take you longer to pass than you think.

Don't fall for the introductory price con.

A lot of driving schools do "first five driving lessons for...", where they charge you not very much for your first five or so hours. The problem is you might not do much actual driving in those first five Driving lessons and after the first five the price goes up dramatically. They also say if you have had lessons before you will not get the introductory rate. The DSA recommend 40 - 50 hours of lessons for the average person to be able to pass their driving test. This could end up costing you a lot more with an "initial offer" driving school over the course of your driving lessons than if you chose an instructor who has the same rate throughout your time as a pupil.

As an independent driving instructor I charge the same rate throughout your whole time as a pupil. If you buy 10 hours a £180 then you can do the same when they run out. So there are no hidden surprises or extra costs halfway through your course of lessons. If you start with me on a deal, then you continue to get that deal until you pass. Its no coincidence that you cannot see the lesson rate on these other driving schools' websites for the price after your initial deal. They don't want you to see that bit.

Do you share driving lessons with other pupils?

Some driving schools have a trick up their sleeve to maximise their time instructing. They pick you up whilst on another lesson. You then take the other pupil home as part of your lesson. This means you have a pupil in the back while you get warmed up. This could put you off your lesson and hinder your performance.
They can also overlap lessons and class your time in the back as part of your lesson. So you only get 45 minutes in an hours lesson actually in the driving seat. The instructor will tell you that you are still learning as they instruct the other pupil, but it's not really giving you value for money.
Once you've finished your lesson you may have to go to someone else's house to pick up the next pupil. They then drive you home which could take some time depending on their skill level.
If you learn with me you will be the only pupil in the car at any one time. I will pick you up from work, school, home or anywhere within reason that you need to be picked up. I'll then teach you for the full time agreed and drop you off at the end of the lesson at another place of your choice. This could even save you a bus or taxi fare.

Is your driving instructor working for free?
Driving instructors who work for a national driving school such as AA, BSM or RED have to pay a weekly franchise fee for the privilege. This can be as much as £400 a week to use the car and have pupils supplied to them by the school. This fee also pays for the call centre staff to do a job they don't do too well and makes sure the staff get a Christmas party using your money. Not to forget the company directors annual bonus.
Instructors also have to pay for their own fuel, which may be up to £150 a week depending on how busy they are. This could mean they have to pay £550 a week before they start to earn money. If I had to pay out that much before I started earning money each week I think I'd probably be a bit of a grumpy old sod. I would have to work 22 hours, even if I were charging £25 an hour, before I would break even.
This forces these instructors to squeeze out every penny from their pupils. Time wasting, booking extra lessons, holding back from putting you in for your test even though you are ready. Just so they can continue paying for the directors of their driving school to lounge about on holiday or to pay the call centre staff to be unhelpful and rude as they often seem to be.
Luckily I own my own car and, as an independent instructor, I don't have to worry about paying an expensive franchise fee. I will give you honest feedback about your lessons, and I will make sure you book your test in good time so your not having unnecessary lessons. I won't be spending money on expensive advertising and have no staff to pay. All this means I'm less stressed and can concentrate on giving you your money's worth by providing top quality lessons, at a competitive price.
Here is a link to the DSA's official advice on selecting a driving instructor for Driving lessons in Bradford.