AA - Good but you can find better (AA The Driving School)

Member Name: snizzle

Product:	AA The Driving School
Date:	30/04/01 (3743 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lessons are cheaper if you pay for 12 on one go

Disadvantages: They are expensive, and you're better off looking around

I don’t think that you can really appreciate a good driving instructor, unless you have been unfortunate to have the experience of having a bad driving instructor. I have been learning how to drive for quite a while, and have had two different driving instructors.

A BAD DRIVING INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE:

I’m going to start off by talking about my previous driving instructor, with whom I had about twelve driving lessons. (He was not with the AA). The reasons for why I don’t think he was very good, was that he was not a very good communicator, and I didn’t always feel like I knew what I was doing well, what I was doing wrong, and what I needed to do to improve my driving. I knew I wasn’t very good, but that was it. At the time I thought it was because I was completely rubbish at driving, and where on earth was the poor man supposed to start. I had the impression that after just driving around for several weeks, my driving would automatically improve, and then I would have more focused learning. Driving around does improve your driving, but only to a certain extent, and it really isn’t enough. I found that the lessons just seems repetitive, and I wasn’t getting anywhere. Eventually I decided to pack the lessons in for a while, until I was less busy and had more time.

AA - MY EXPERIENCE

When I decided to resume my driving lessons, I looked around for a good price and a good driving school. After my previous experience I was intent on not just going for the cheapest. The AA were a bit more expensive than average, but not too much more expensive if you take into account that you get a discount when you book a block of twelve lessons. I also thought the service would be better.

The difference in my new driving instructor was apparent from the first lesson. On the first lesson he gave me a list of everything there was to learn (e.g. moving off, reverse parking, turn in the road, meeting
traffic etc. etc.) and a rough timetable of how many lessons this would take. I was told about the driving test, and what would be expected from me, so I knew what I needed to aim for and the lessons were more focused.

After several driving lessons, my instructor told me: that’s it, you’ve learned everything there is to know. This was quite scary at the time, and I thought, is that it? I was told that I would now have to put my driving knowledge to practise.

I have to say here, that if you do go with the AA, it doesn’t mean you will get a good driving instructor, or someone you like. I know someone who started off with a AA driver that she didn’t like. He smoked during the lesson. So after one lesson she phoned up and asked to be transferred to another driver, who she was much happier with. One good thing about the AA is that you can easily change your instructor.

THE AA DRIVING SCHOOL

They use fully qualified instructors.

They are not the cheapest, and one lesson costs £18. (this varies around the country, and in some areas it is £17 and £20. If you prepay for 12 lessons, then you get a discount of £2 per lesson. So it work out at £16 a lesson. I would recommend this, as other than being better value for money, it is probably the easier way to pay, and you don’t have to worry about paying every week. Unfortunately just paying once every twelve lessons, can mean that you easily forget how much you are paying out for your lessons. (This can be a bad or a good thing! I hate to think of how much I have spent) If you happen to have some hours left over after passing your test, you can also claim back your money. I usually pay for my lessons over the phone, or you can pay by cheque, but you cannot pay by cash.

The AA use Ford Fiesta’s, which are replaced every six months, so you’ll be driving a new car. These are small cars, and therefore easy to control. If you are pet
ite, you will probably find that you don’t need to use a cushion in this car, unlike some, the seats adjust well. The cars also have air conditioning and power steering.

You also get free AA membership for one year, which I suppose will only be useful if you have a car. You also get a £100 holiday voucher. When you pass you driving test, you also get various discounts and special offers with the AA.

If your driving instructor goes on a long holiday, instead of having to take a break, you can transfer to another driver, while he/she is away. So you’re driving won’t get rusty.

For further information call: 0800 60 70 80
www.theaa.co.uk

CHOOSING A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

I’m not going to simply recommend the AA. as you might be better of with someone else, as the lessons are expensive. Not as expensive as BSM, but they are still one of the more expensive driving schools around and as I said before, going with the AA doesn’t necessarily mean that you will end up with a good instructor. There are loads of Driving Schools advertised in the Yellow Pages. Also take a look at this site, which has lists of driving schools, which you can look at by area. http://www.learners.co.uk/direc/ukdirec.htm

I think the best thing to do is to talk to friends / relatives, and see of they can recommend anyone. Some driving schools offer taster lessons, often at a reduced price, which might be worth considering. Just don’t let them pressure you into booking more lessons with them, if you are not completely happy.

You should make sure that your instructor is suitably qualified. Make sure they are available at weekends/ evenings if you require lessons at these times. Most give full one hours lessons, but some don’t, so ask about this beforehand. Also find out what sort of car you will be driving. You don’t want or be driving an old banger.

Your driving instructor sho
uld be someone who is a good communicator, and patient, and well motivated, and someone you feel comfortable with. If you do find that you’ve ended up with some who you don’t like, there is no reason to stick with them.

OTHER GOOD WEB SITES I’VE COME ACROSS THAT YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL

www.learners.co.uk
A good web site to have a look at if you are planning to start learning how to drive, it has lots of useful information.

www.driving.co.uk
Make Sure you take a look at the funny stories - they’re hilarious.

www.2pass.co.uk
Lot’s of information here for both learners, and those who have just passed their driving test, for e.g. tips on motorway driving and car maintenance.

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