Choosing a driving instructor
Do you know that all instructors are graded according to their teaching ability?
Instructors are graded from 1-6, with levels 1-3 meaning further training is needed and the instructor is not considered competent.
.
Grade 4 is Good, Grade 5 very good, Grade 6 exceptional – this is rarely awarded.
The D.S.A. tries to assess instructors every two years when they are regraded. This is called the Check Test. Qualified Instuctors display a Green License in their front windscreen.
Trainee Instructors ( P.D.I. ) display a Pink License in their windscreen, and whilst still training they are currently permitted to teach for money, it is worth noting that these people are not qualified and that only 12% of people who start out on instructor training actually pass the final exams and qualify. Beware if people charge very low prices there’s a reason for it.
AA/BSM and other groups
These Driving Schools are franchises, their instructors are no more qualified than anyone else, they are not employed by the AA etc, they are self-employed. They do however have a car and students supplied as part of their franchise deal for which they have to pay and therefore to cover their costs tend to be more expensive.
Further Qualifications
After qualifying as an A.D.I. ( Approved driving instructor ) it is then possible to take further exams to enhance your teaching and driving ability.
After ADI you can take Dip DI ( Diploma in Driving Instruction)
Then Cert Ed ( Certificate in Education )
For Driving you can take I.A.M. ( Institute of Advanced Motorist )
Or RoSPA ( Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents )
Alternatively the RAC run advanced driving courses, though for some reason it appears to be difficult to find anyone suitably qualified to teach this.
The most generally recognized Advanced driving course is IAM.
Maxine Green. Cert. Ed, Grade 5, I.A.M.
