Driving tuition and driving instructors - getting the right combination

When you begin driving lessons, a big part of learning successfully depends on your driving instructor and the type of driving tuition that you take.
As well as arranging lessons through a professional motoring school, you can receive tuition from friends or family members - as long as they are over 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years.
However, if you are taught to drive by a friend or relative, you may inadvertently pick up any bad habits they have developed over the years. It can also put a strain on relationships, if either teacher or learner is rather impatient.
Other advantages of choosing professional driving tuition include:
- Dual control cars, which can help to improve your safety and confidence.
- Guidance on the theory and hazard perception portions of the test.
- Experience of helping many learners through their tests.
- Knowledge of the best places to practise and likely test routes.
- The ability to spot any small weaknesses you may need to improve on.
Also, very few people pass their test without learning at a professional motoring school.
Most people benefit from a combination of professional and private driving tuition. Whichever works for you, it is important that you feel at ease with your instructor.
If you are comfortable during lessons, you will absorb more information and increase your chances of passing.
The number of female driving instructors has been increasing, as the number of women drivers has risen. While only 15% of driving instructors registered with the Driving Standards Agency are women, this figure is steadily rising and demand for female driving instructors is also going up.
Many people feel more at ease with a female driving instructor, perhaps because they are viewed as friendlier and more patient. This does not just relate to women learners - many male learner drivers are requesting a female instructor.
Whatever reason you have for choosing your driving instructor, you should check certain things about your potential instructor before committing to lessons, including:
- Costs.
- Availability.
- Experience.
- Reputation.
You can also talk to your driving instructor's recent students to find out if their methods are right for you.
While driving tuition used to be a career that was completely male-orientated, it is now a serious option for women, especially with the increase in female learner drivers.
In fact, it is estimated that five women are currently learning to drive for every three men.