Questions
When you phone a potential instructor, don't be afraid to ask searching questions. Good instructors will only be too pleased to answer them. If they avoid your questions, say thanks and move on! Here are questions with the kind of answers you want to hear.
Q. I live in ........., do you teach in that area?
A. Yes/no. (This may sound strange as a first question, but many good instructors keep themselves working within quite a tight area to avoid too much travelling between lessons. It's frustrating to ask loads of questions, find you like him and then find he doesn't work your patch!)
Q. What kind of car do you teach in?
A. Something not too big and under three years old.
Q. What grade are you?
A. 5 or 6. (It's best to go for the best grades. After all, the DSA has decided these are the best instructors. A grade 5 or 6 will be happy you asked the question. If they answer with something like "it's not important" say "thanks and goodbye"!. It 'is' important.)
Q. Can you bring your grade certificate to our first lesson?
A. Of course. (Difficult question to ask, sounds like you're being mis-trustfull. But a genuine grade 5 or 6 will be very happy and proud to bring his certificate).
Q. How much do you charge?
A. The local going rate. (Lesson rates vary from area to area. DON'T just go for the cheapest. Like all things in life, you get what you pay for. Top instructors can charge good money, but you will probably save money by having to have fewer lessons than with a poor instructor).
Q. I work during the week, do you work weekends?
A. Yes/no. (It's reasonable to expect an instructor to work at least some time over the weekends).
Q. Do you 'piggy back'?
A. No. (Click here to find out about the unacceptable practice of piggy backing).
Q. Do you do one hour lessons?
A. Yes. My lesson times are responsive to your needs. (This is the only answer you want to hear. Click here to find out why).
