Hiring a Driving Instructor for your Driving Lessons: Desirable Qualities in an Instructor
Driving is one of the greatest pleasures of life. The driving test in the UK is very tough and there are no shortcuts to success. The test is divided into a theory part (multiple-choice theory tests and hazard perception tests, which are done on a computer), and a practical part. You need to practice driving and to learn the theory of driving such as the different road signs. Driving lessons can be offered by anybody aged above 21 years, provided he/she has a driving licence that is at least 3 years old. You should however go to an instructor since you get professionalism. There are many professional driving instructors in the UK and knowing what makes a good instructor will help you make an informed decision.
A good instructor is one who is approved by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) in Great Britain and the DVA (Driver & Vehicle Agency) in Northern Ireland. This is an important quality because these regulators will have tested the instructor and deemed him/her fit to offer driving lessons. The instructor should have the green registration badge offered by the regulator on the car’s windscreen. Note that trainee instructors have pink badges. The instructor should have gone to an accredited institution for training and should have completed the 3 part qualifying process.
An important quality in a driving instructor is patience. It takes a long time to master driving and an impatient instructor will make you think you do not have what it takes or will give you a miserable time. Go for an instructor who belongs to a credible driving school. Cost considerations should be secondary when making the choice between driving instructors. The instructor should not give rude sexual remarks or make racial comments. You could complain to the driving school if you have such an instructor. The instructor should offer 40 driving lessons if that is what you have paid for and each lesson should last the pre-determined amount of time. The instructor should have a dual control car that has a manual gear, although tests with an automatic gear car are also allowed in the UK. Another important quality in a driving instructor is the ability to offer advice and to explain things clearly (good communication skills).