Check the person as well as the school
A national school, a local franchise and an individual instructor are different entities. Ask for the name of the person who will teach you and whether they are fully qualified or teaching under a trainee licence.
Use the appropriate regulator’s service and ask to see the instructor’s badge. A website statement or a claimed directory profile is not independent proof of registration.
Check your actual pickup and lesson area
“Covering Leeds” does not establish whether an instructor will collect you from a particular neighbourhood at 5pm. Confirm your postcode district, pickup point and any different arrangements for work or school.
Ask which test centres the instructor supports, whether test-day car use is available and how they deal with a test booked outside their usual area.
Ask questions that reveal a useful fit
Explain what helps you learn: shorter instructions, written notes, a calm introduction, time to process or an adapted car. The answer should describe actual teaching adjustments, not just a general claim to be patient.
- How do you plan and review each lesson?
- What is included in the quoted price?
- What happens if either of us cancels?
- When is the next recurring slot actually available?
Sources & further reading
- Find driving schools and lessons — DVSA. Great Britain.
- Northern Ireland driving instructors — DVA. Northern Ireland.
- Trainee driving instructor licence rules — DVSA. Great Britain.
- Driving instructor code of practice — DVSA. Great Britain.
Guidance reviewed 12 September 2026. Check the linked official service before booking, applying or making a contractual decision. Report a change.