BSM or AA?

guys , so which driving school  do u recommend?? BSM or AA ...or shall i go with the best offer ?
thanks

There are also a gazillion independent driving instructors all over the country.

A local woman is 86 years old and is still teaching! Apparently, she has one of the highest pass rates in the UK! 

Neither.

IMO independent instructors do a better job. They have to or their reputation suffers.

Instructors for large companies such as BSM or AA get students handed to them. They aren't as bothered about how they treat you during the lessons.

I used BSM and I passed on my first try.  I took 3 lessons, the first he assessed my driving skills and he gave me some pointers.  The second one we went over the things I needed to work on in more detail and the third one we did more review.  I also practiced A LOT on my own.  I don't remember how much it cost but whatever it was it was worth it.  I don't feel like he strung me along just trying to get me to pay for more lessons.  

My husband took a handful of lessons with BSM and passed both his tests the first time.

I tried BSM but the guy kept using the safety brake constantly - it got on my nerves! I'd been driving for 13 yrs in the States and his actions only made me feel more insecure about it all.

I ended up going with a local instructor, and I can't recommend him enough! He was laidback and fun, but very honest.

I went through 2 instructors before I found him. For me, I needed a more relaxed (American-ish) instructor.


If you are in the Bradford, Keighley, or Halifax area and looking for an instructor for automatic lessons - I would be happy to give you his phone number and information.


Best of luck!

Cheers
Rach

oh god he would get on my nerves!! i would shout at him ! i mean i am a really sensitive person and i cont want someone to put me off like him! you guys are changing my mind about bsm and AA . sounds like a local instructor is better.

sounds like a local instructor is better.

I didn't mean to infer all instructors from BSM and AA are substandard. They just aren't your only choices.

Personally, I had much better luck with an independent instructor. I liked the fact I could contact him directly, and not have to go through BSM. The BSM guy also, in my opinion, unfairly critiqued my driving and told me I'd need many, many lessons.

The "bad vibes" I got from the BSM instructor prompted me to call an instructor who lives in our neighborhood. In the end I had 7 sessions with the instructor, including the actual exam. I took 2 practice runs just to be safe. I passed the first time.

Whoever you decide to use, vote with your feet. Hire an instructor, and if he/she rubs you the wrong way, hire a different teacher.

Being overly sensitive probably won't be constructive when taking your lessons. Be honest with yourself and be aware what areas of driving you need practice with. Drive around your local area and get to know it well. Don't allow friends and family to form your opinion about requirements for driving if they passed their test more than two years ago.

I've had my license for nearly 2 years, and I still remember the strong feeling of relief I felt when the examiner told me I passed. Hopefully you'll experience the same! 

thanks howard, i found a local instructor 15 meters from my house! how cool is that?
i will give him a try  and see what happens.
cheers

Is there a website or some other resource that lists independent driving instructors by locality?

What have been the rough costs per lesson?  I've now got my provisional and have been driving over here for 9 months on my US one.  I'm guessing that i should probably take a few lessons before I take the road test so I'm trying to figure out how much it's going to cost me... summer hols coming up so i'm feeling a bit tight at the moment!!

What have been the rough costs per lesson?  I've now got my provisional and have been driving over here for 9 months on my US one.  I'm guessing that i should probably take a few lessons before I take the road test so I'm trying to figure out how much it's going to cost me... summer hols coming up so i'm feeling a bit tight at the moment!!

£19 per hour back in 2005. I know it isn't current information, but lessons are painfully expensive!

What have been the rough costs per lesson? 

I think mine were either £20 or £25 per lesson (an hour each lesson). If you can find an instructor who'll let you use your own car, you'll get a better rate. I know there's one instructor around here who still charges £5 per lesson in your own car!

hi justlikekatie
if you want to find ur local instructors go to the online yellow pages and type what u meed and ur area postcode. its prettu easy
i believe its
www.yell.com

£19 per hour back in 2005. I know it isn't current information, but lessons are painfully expensive!

My lessons went from £20-21 that's from last year to this year. (Then again I'm in Sheffield - I can't vouch for other parts of the country.)  I passed my practical on my second test as I was so nervous the first time around!  Theory's too easy though - won't be a problem its just the hazard perceptions that're tricky.  Good luck!