Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
I passed ! Learn in brand new Ford Focus, well trained Instructor, free AA membership for 12 months |
| Disadvantages: |
cost - you pay for the good service you receive |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
It's that age old debate - do you pay for a brand name and pay through the nose, or do you opt for a local firm who may be cheaper??
This was the problem I faced 2 years ago when considering which driving school to use.
Having shopped around for an instructor my nerves eventually pushed me in the direction of the AA, as I was aware of the size of their driving school and had confidence in their brand name.
I had already passed my theory test - so only used them for the practical lessons.
Where do you start?
An initial phonecall to a central call centre on 0800 587 0087 meant that my details were taken over the phone and my first lession was set up there and then with a local AA insructor (based on my postcode) the following weekend. I did not even have to contact the instructor - he would simply turn up at the arranged time!
You can either pay for a course of lessons (in any multiples you want e.g 6 , 12 etc.) and receive a small discount (£2 per hour) for "block booking" 12 lessons at a time or pay as you go (very handy if you run out of cash before payday!) You receive a starter pack which gives you free AA membership for one year.
You may think that's pointless, as without a licence you wouldn't need membership but it's handy if your in another car as a passenger and it breaks down as it's you and not the car that has the membership. Very handy if your mate drives an old banger and breaks down on the M25!
I was surprised to find out that each lesson last 2 hours, so be prepared to pay for 2 one hour lessons at a time (£16 per hour). the reason for this is give you a concentrated lesson where you can drive and practice the manouvres for the test).
So - was it money well spent???
The answer is a resounding YES.
For my first lesson - the instructor arrived in a brand new Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec (sports model) or Ghia (very comfortable and easy to drive) with dual controls ( which means they can brake if you forget to!). The AA instructors receive new replacement cars every 6 months - so you are guaranteed to learn in a car that's new and more importantly safe!
He went through my level of ability before even turning the engine on the assess where to begon. As I had had a few lessons with a family member - he pitched the lesson perfectly to my level of ability.
The instructor provided me with a progress chart which was broken down into sections such as "reverse around a corner" and "hill sarts." This was great as it meant that I could track my progress as the weeks went by. The instructor kept a similar record, so once I had mastered one skill he would focus my lessons on the areas where I needed to improve (making every minute of the lesson count.)
He also tailored the lessons to the skills I needed to master for the test. He told me exactly what the examiner would be looking for and alhtough you can't predict exactly what the examiner will ask you to do on the day - my instructor was almost 100% spot on.
I even had to do a "mock test" before the instructor booked my actual test date, to make sure I was ready and to let me have have a "dry run" before the test.
I have to say that my instructor (despite my awful reverse parking) stuck wth me and was very patient and calm. Rather than crticising what I did wrong, he focsed on how I could improve in a positive way. The fact that he had confidence in me made me think that I could pass!
So, the day of the test arrived after 4 months and my instructor was very supportive and calm. As I was a bag of nerves, this made a huge difference.
After 45 stressful minutes - the test went just how the instructor had predicted and..........................................................................
I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There were 4 other people who had arrived with instructors from local schools on the day of the test and only one of them passed. Also, several of my friends who failed the first time changed to the AA and passed on their second attempt, saying the service was better than the schoools they'd had before.
Overall , the AA lived up to the promise of being a good driving school. As all instructors are monitored and assessed there is a UK wide standard, which is reassuring.
There is never any guarantee that you'll pass (if you don't know your accelerator from your brake - even a good instructor will have difficulty. Remember - miracles are not one of the AA 's services!)
But - if you are about to crack open your L-Plates, I would strongly recommend the AA to improve your chances of passing!
GOOD LUCK!
| More Reviews |
 What a state of affairs
Review of AA Driving School by
scbk34
Advantages: All of the AA instructors are fully qualified
Disadvantages: You don't know who you have got until you get one
As an AA driving instructor it is of great concern to me Patricia that I read comments about my AA colleagues that are less than complimentary and I would hate to think that we were now all tarred with the same brush by you as I can assure you that we are not all like that. I take great pride in what I do and I do it with the pupil taking precedent. The costs of learning to drive are not insignificant and you must expect the best of service for the ...
...have telephoned you immediately the AA assigned to him to you as your instructor to say hello and have a general chit chat about how things would go.
As things turned out in the middle of the tuition, all would have appeared to be satisfactory until the time before the test. I obviously cannot make any comment about the instructor going awol as I don't know what happened. Again, at the very least, the instructor could have put you in the picture ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
25.02.2007
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A Pleasure to Drive With...
Review of AA Driving School by
Scatz500
Advantages: Regular new car, pleasant instuctor, £100 Holiday Voucher
Disadvantages: Years free membership starts as soon as you join.
...schools a try.
THE AA AS AN ORGANISATION...
The main reason I chose the AA over BSM was the price. At full price both schools charge £18 in my area, but if you book a slot of 12 lessons with the AA, then the price is cut to £16 a lesson. If you’re a student BSM offer a discount making each lesson £16.40.
The AA telephone operators were both polite and reasonably helpful. However, there were a few items that let their service down. Some people ...
...a male one. The AA does not offer you a choice of instructor gender and the instructor you get will depend on your postcode. There was also some slight pressure put on me to take my lessons on a Saturday, which is impossible for me due to work commitments. I had to be firm and insistent that Friday was the only day suitable for myself.
The AA sends a starter pack to all their customers, which consists of information about the AA, a year’s ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
29.08.2001
(21.09.2001)
|
 Driving School for Dummies - like me
Review of AA Driving School by
scruff
Advantages: Well I passed! Instructors very helpful with loads of patience - what every learner needs
Disadvantages: Using a Ford Focus to teach lessons.
...left a choice between the AA and the BSM. The main difference between the two at the time was that the AA used Ford Fiestas and BSM used Vauxhall Corsas. I chose the AA even though my Mum owned a Corsa. Both of the driving schools charged 18 pound for an hour lesson at the time but if you booked 12 lessons at a time the AA charged only 16 pounds instead of 16.40. This isn’t much of a saving but they did offer free Membership of the AA when you bought ...
...the packs also include free AA membership, the level of cover is just roadside assistance, which means if they can’t repair the vehicle at the side of the road you will be towed to the garage or home – whatever is closest. This is really handy if your friends drive rickety old bangers as the cover is for you and not the car so you can still call them out even if you are a passenger! This also proved a major boost for me as the AA were taken over ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
09.10.2001
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 Drove Me Up the Wall
Review of AA Driving School by
SMAGGS76
Advantages: Want to Drive
Disadvantages: Expensive, Unreliable
...was a pupil of the AA Driving School for almost a year and at £180 for 12 lesson it wasn't cheap. I have to say the service was appalling. After 3 instructors and 2 failed tests I ended up changing schools and passing with a completely different firm here is my experience.
Instructor 1
************
My initial impression wasn't good for a start he was late, then when getting in the car I noticed a really bad smell, which I later worked out was ...
...him. He finally left the AA to join BSM. Instructor No2
***************
Again turned up late. But at least he didn't smell.
My new instructor he did not know that I had been learning to drive with the AA for approx 6 months until I told him, he had literally just been given my name, address and telephone number. He constantly turned up late by at least 10 minutes sometimes up to 20 saying that he would add the time onto my next lesson of course ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
28.08.2002
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 Not driven around the bend
Review of AA Driving School by
Ork1927
Advantages: see opinion
Disadvantages: see opinion
...started driving lessons with the AA Driving School. Working for another company that was under their parent company (Centrica) It seemed to make sense to use them (plus I was being lazy). I phoned a call centre, block booked 14 lessons (for a discount)and was given the name of an instructor and a lesson time. It was easy.
I had seven hours of lessons and, to be fair, it seemed to be going well. The driver was patient, friendly and a good teacher. ...
...on my experience with the AA Driving School was nothing but bad.
My instructor never turned up for my next lesson. I tried to call him but couldn't get an answer. About the same time my girlfriend was moving to Bristol to go to Uni and with my mind on other things I didn't chase the instructor again. I didn't hear anything from him or the AA for another three weeks until I received a letter from the AA informing me that my instructor was no longer ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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very helpful
01.09.2002
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31.08.2003
25.04.2001
