1st Class Driving School, Hackney

Advantages: Price, Patience, Great Car, Confidence-Building, Clear tuition, Good sense of humour
Disadvantages: none

...(April 2007). I learned to drive recently with Andy Kirby of 1st Attempt Driver Training. He is an excellent instructor, very patient and explains things well, with a good sense of humour. Lessons are not overly expensive - the going rate at £21 an hour (currently). Definitely well worth a look at this school (having experienced about 5 driving schools and 7 different instructors, I know what I'm talking about.). I was quite nervous when I started learning with 1st Attempt, but I quickly relaxed and became much more confident and calm, under Andy's patient tuition and guidance. The car I learned in was a Renault Modus, a new car, easy to drive and great for learning in due to its size and straight back. I would like to put [excellent] for the rating of "quality of cars", but the highest it will allow is [very good] unfortunately... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: cheapest around & good instructors. not money grabbers!
Disadvantages: busy sundays

...Definitely one of the cheapest in Dartford. They do the 1st 4 for £60 which is good and you get a full hour lesson, as opposed to the 50 minutes I was getting before. I learnt more in one lesson than I did the 18 I had with the other schools. My instructor seemed a genuine sort of bloke who was keen to get me through my test as opposed to just taking my money every week. Can't believe how different the quality of the teaching was. It just seemed to click. The only downside was I had to change my test date cos I was ill & my instructor couldn't do the new date as he already had someone booked. Rang the 1st Time office though & they sorted me out with a new instructor who was just as nice. I recommend this school & am thinking about doing pass plus with them.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Cheapest I found, free door collection. Fast pass - No time wasting.
Disadvantages: Change of car.

...Well I started my driving tuition with 1st time because it was the cheapest I could find in the area. The first 4 lessons were only £60 and I even did a small amount of driving in lesson 1. The car was a new diesel corsa, which was a gem to drive. Only stalled it once. The instructor was flexible but wasn't fully qualified (ie trainee instructor). However the quality of the teaching was good. He was a bit too enthusiastic, and got frustrated sometimes, possibly because he realised my potential, and I changed to Dave Miller after 8 lessons. That was a mistake. Dave Miller was the total opposite. Most of the lessons, which were slightly more expensive, were spent parked up talking, rather than gaining essential experience on the road. In 5th lesson 10 mins driving, 50 mins talking. The first couple involved much more driving. £20 per... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful