OK, I know that the AA are not an independent driving school but seeing as they didn't have their own category then I thought I would fit them in here. Well, I have only had about 14 lessons so far, but I think that has given me good enough experience to write about the AA. Obviously I can't comment on the test but I guess I can always update this opinion later.
The car: The car that I am learning to drive in is a ford fiesta ghia, it's quite small which obviously is important for a learner - you don't want anything too powerful or too large when practising reversing etc! It's a totally modern car - with air conditioning, power steering and abs braking. Also, as soon as the slightest thing starts to go wrong with the car then the AA will replace it. I think I have been in three different cars now!
Instruction: Well, with the quality of the instruction you can't generalise. I know some people who have had some pretty bad experiences with their instructors but mine has been great, really friendly, and if you don't understand something then he'll explain again, and doesn't make you feel stupid for asking questions. The lessons progress well and you don't have to do anything you don't feel confident about, although at the same time obviously you have to move on, you can't stay in the safety zone for ever! At the end of the lesson too the instructor will discuss it with you to see how you felt it went, and fill in your record card, so you can see the progress that you are making. I used to have hour long lessons but now I have moved on to hour and a half lessons as I need to go further away from where I live, and into other towns. My instructor is reliable and punctual, although once he hadn't written down my lesson time and so didn't turn up. However this was a one off and he then gave me a free lesson to make up for it, so that was good!
Unfortunately the lessons are expensive but then that is the case with most quality driving schools. Its £17 a lesson, but if you book a block of 12 then it works out at only £15 an hour which isnt so bad, and if you recommend friends to your instructor then you can get a further two pounds off lessons. I have booked one block of 12 which gives you a free years membership of the AA and £100 of holiday vouchers. Need to book another block of 12 now.
Overall I am very pleased with the level of instruction I am getting, and feel that I am making good progress especially considering I had never driven before and get no outside practice.
I love driving, racing, in computer games though...what will I be like when I start to learn (???).
Alexis1 02.04.2001 00:23
The AA school seems to have a mixed bag of instructors. I personally had a bad experience with them and i found them to be very expensive. The constant changing of the car doesn't help either.
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
surfchik27 02.06.2005 (02.06.2005)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
Advantages: Well I passed! Instructors very helpful with loads of patience - what every learner needs Disadvantages: Using a Ford Focus to teach lessons.
scruff 09.10.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
Advantages: modern car with ABS, power steering etc; experienced instructor; friendly call centre staff; phone call after 1st lesson Disadvantages: none so far
pragmatik 29.07.2005 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of BSM
Feb 25th, 2001
very helpful by (77%):
helpful by (23%):
