10 Steps for finding the right driving school for you

Learning to drive can provide you with numerous benefits, from boosting your career to helping your family life. But if you've yet to arrange your first lesson, you may be unsure of which driving school or instructor to learn with. Here are 10 simple steps for finding a driving school that will help you.

1. Start by asking your friends and family about their experience of learning to drive. Did they use a driving school or private instructor? What were the pros and cons of each? Can they recommend a business that could teach you?

2. Next you'll want to find a list of driving schools in your local area. Perhaps you require Liverpool driving schools or Manchester instructors. If so, why not use a local business directory to draw up a shortlist. They can provide you with contact information, locations and user reviews to help inform your decision.

3. When you start calling round, it's a good idea to ask the instructor or driving schools about the qualifications they hold and the experience they have. Both could be crucial to helping you to learn to a high standard.

4. It's also a good idea to enquire about the school's pass rate to make sure they have a proven track record in teaching people to drive to a qualified standard. The average pass rate in the UK is just over 45%.

5. You may want the option of having an intensive driving course to help you become test-ready very quickly. Not all schools and instructors will be able to provide this service, so it's best to call round to ask or visit the website of the business if they have one.

6. You'll also want to find out how much the schools charge for their lessons. Prices can vary quite a bit between companies, so it pays to call round for a comparison.

7. It's also important to check the availability each school has. You want to be waiting for two weeks between lessons, so make sure they can accommodate an extra student.

8. Once you've found a school you like, you need to arrange an initial lesson. While it's difficult to tell how proficient the instructor is at teaching, you will at least be able to judge whether they have the right personality for you. Some will be more formal, others far less so, and finding the right one will go a long way to helping you pass.

9. If you are numerous lessons in and you feel your instructor is either pushing you towards taking a test before you're ready or dragging their heels in putting you forward when you feel confident in your ability to pass, it could be a sign that you need a fresh perspective from another instructor. However, it's always better to talk it through with your current instructor before making any rash decisions.

10. The level of progress you're making in those early weeks should also give you a good indication of whether the partnership is working or if you need to learn with a different firm.