1L Of A Driving School’s Alan has got 100s of people, just like you, though that devil of a driving test.
Hi there, I’m Alan O’Brien who runs 1L Of A Driving School, and I would be the one giving the driving lessons. There will be a lot of questions you want to ask, and I’m going to do my best to answer some of them here.
First of all I’m a very experienced instructor having got 100s of people through their test, the majority of them first time. I’m very proud of my students pass rates which are considerably higher than the published Airdrie test centre average of 46.3%. My student’s pass rate for the current test is 65% giving them considerably better odds of passing than a typical driving student. It’s important to remember that if my pass rate is way higher than the average, then that means other students are being taught by people with pass rates way below that 46.3% average.
One of the reasons for this higher pass rates is that unlike the vast, Vast majority of Driving Instructors I’m happy to sit in on the students test, if the student wants me to! It is extremely rare for me to see another Instructor accompany their student on their test and while I can understand the desire for a coffee and a natter with other instructors, the student is paying you to help them pass their test, not drink coffee. I have sat in on 100s of tests and this first hand experience gives me invaluable insights that I pass on to my students. I feel this is a significant reason why my students are far more likely to pass first time.
Another important factor is just how soon will you actually be driving, especially on roads? Even total beginners will be driving on their first lesson, which will be conducted from the safety of a local industrial estate. My students and I are often surprised by other driving school cars that are sitting stationary on industrial estates while my student, on their first lesson, is driving past them after a quick safety briefing. No idea what these instructors are saying to their students? But you are paying to learn how to drive not to get a lecture, or help an inexperienced instructor supply paperwork their company demands.
Finally, specifically if you live in Cumbernauld, the test centre is important. I use Airdrie for two reasons. First of all it’s the closest test centre to Cumbernauld. I’m aware that some Cumbernauld Instructors prefer Bishopbriggs, however it’s a lot further away than Airdrie, meaning either less vital driving time on the test routes, possibly resulting in more driving lessons and extra outlay? Secondly, you only need to learn 3 manoeuvres at Airdrie, while there is a fourth one to learn at Bishopbriggs, again extra time learning.
Well that’s me, if there is anything you feel I’ve missed just get in touch and ask ok?
Here are some questions I would suggest you ask any potential instructor, hope you find them useful.
How much do you charge?
What is your pass rate like, some instructors can be very, Very evasive over this one.
How long have you been a qualified instructor? Assuming they are one of course, many companies use trainee driving instructors to give full price lessons. Again woolly sounding evasion, isn’t a great sign.
Where will I be doing my test, and why? Again if they aren’t using your closest test centre, I would want a good reason why.
How much of my first lesson will be spent on actual driving? No point paying for a two hour lesson only to discover the first hour is just a lecture from the instructor.
