Driving lessons?

[browzingss]

I’m 22. I took lessons when I was 17 but changed (male) instructors (bill plant) various times. It just ranged from flirty/creepy comments to unprofessional behaviour eg dirty/smelly cars, general time wasting, last minute cancellations etc

I then moved to London and didn’t need to drive, I was too busy both at uni and working full time (whilst being student-broke) so it wasn’t a priority.

Now that I’m looking for instructors again, I would prefer a woman to lower my chances of switching instructors so I can just get on with it - but it’s virtually impossible to find one in my area. I’d have to delay my lessons until someone became available which could be in 6 months time for example.

I guess I’m just asking if I’m being unreasonable to want a female instructor. Should I just go ahead with a male instructor? Would be grateful to hear about your learning experiences too!

If you go with a national company like AA you can choose a woman instructor.
they are likely to have more appointments available too, and of course you have a better chance of professionalism as they can be replaced if customers complain.

Thanks! I have just tried AA’s website but apparently they’re having problems showing instructors and prices so I’ll have to call them later.

Definitely call them on the phone, and if you don't like your lady instructor then don't be afraid to ask for a new one! The instructor can make or break your attempt to learn to drive. Good luck OP!

There are local driving schools that use both male and female instructors. What area are you in op?

You are not being unreasonable.
You are squashed up together with little personal space in a metal box trying learn a difficult skill that could kill or maim if you loose concentration.
If anything it is vital your environment is not a distraction.
Good luck

The instructor can make or break your attempt to learn to drive

If anything it is vital your environment is not a distraction.

Yes, you’re all right! I thought I was just being a bit precious about it!

@Livedandlearned I’m currently in central Birmingham/edgbaston areas and haven’t had much luck!

YANBU. Most places have independent female instructors or you could request one from a bigger company.

Go with BSM and they’ll give you a female instructor

Or google “female driving instructors”. Hundreds of hits for London just on google

I chose a female instructor who specialized in older or nervous drivers. She turned up in leather trousers and her car smelled a bit like incense. No worries. So we sit in the 'cockpit' of the car while she teaches me what all the knobs and whistles do. She instructs me to gently drive forward.
Cool cool. Driving nice and slow. We get to a roundabout. She hasn't actually taught me how to turn the wheel yet but I figured gently was probably better than hard. Obviously it was TOO gentle and she shouted 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING' and yanked the wheel. After that my nerves were shot to shit. She directed me down onto a main London road with buses and vans. I was terrified.
When she was driving me home she was so busy telling me how she doesn't believe in global warming that she almost rear ended a car.
That put me off. I would like to learn to drive but god, its expensive and difficult to find a decent instructor!

@Butters83 oh god, that sounds awful! Yes it’s so hard to find a good instructor, but I’m at that point now where I just want to get the lessons over with and start driving!

I have found lots of websites (inc large companies) that advertise female instructors but when I call, I’m told that only male instructors are available🙄 not sure if the female instructors are just super busy in my area or if they simply don’t exist as I haven’t been able to find one!

I hated my female instructor, she was so patronising and kept going on about her ex-husband. I switched to a lovely super chilled out guy and was much happier.

YANBU
It took me years and years of on off practice to pass, and it was with a wonderful female instructor in the end. Wish I’d found one sooner.
Go for it!

So every driving school I have tried (inc AA & BSM) only have male instructors! The guy at AA was annoyed that I preferred a female and kept asking why etc

Aren’t you in London OP?

Hello All. Not sure if any of you facing same issues like me. My son is trying to get practical test date for driving from DVSA which is actually sold for 62 pounds. My son wanted the woodgreen centre.
He managed to get online with DVSA once. But now he facing all this. Today my son. Tomorrow your children can have same issue.

But no date slots available on DVSA.But some big network going on for around more then 2yrs Outside third party selling these date slots for 180 pounds to 210 pounds. They have control over these dates. Even instructors have these third party numbers who selling them. My son was given the number where he was offered a date for 180 pounds. More over you have to pay to the instructor for car hire 150 pounds to 160 pounds on actual test date.

Question arises how these dates are taken by these third party. I urge please take this forward to Citizen Advice Bureau (local area) by calling them and also email yo DVSA. I have already taken forward my complaint against them.
I urge pls come forward and not to encourage this act. Thank you. I just wanted to share my sons experience.