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Deciding on a driving instructor in Darlington
When looking for a driving school; you need someone who:
- Makes you feel confident
- Makes the whole experience fun
- Won’t cost an arm and a leg!
For that reason, here are 4 easy steps to make sure you choose the right driving school in Darlington
1. Compare reviews
Reading reviews is a great way to anticipate what your experience will be like with the driving schools in Darlington. We'd recommend always looking at independent reviews collated by real customers!
2. Beware of terms and conditions
If you’re like most people, the chances are you usually tick the box to say you’ve read the terms and conditions even if you haven’t. But in this scenario, it’s important that you read them carefully. Some driving schools have hidden policies, like making your driving lessons expire if you don’t use them all within a short timeframe. Don’t get caught out!
3. Make sure you can switch instructors
Check that your driving school in Darlingtoncan match you with a new instructor easily if you decide you want to swap. Not all schools will have enough instructors to facilitate this, so don’t book until you’re sure.
4. Avoid long waiting times
The last thing you want is to book your driving lessons and then find out that you can’t get started for another few weeks! Many driving schools in Darlingtonwill stay quiet about tier waiting times so be sure to ask them before booking.
Deciding on a test centre
When the time is right, you’ll need to choose a driving test centre. A good local instructor in Darlington will give you a hand choosing the test centre that’s right for you, and then introduce you to the routes that could crop up on test day.
To see more test centres near you, enter your postcode on the DVSA website.
Top tips from instructors in Darlington
Local driving instructors in Darlington have let us in on their secrets for passing the driving test first time in the area.
1. Brush up on rural road driving
Our instructors in Darlington say that rural roads can be difficult because usually, you’re permitted to drive on them at the national speed limit, but that’s not always an appropriate speed.
Extra practice on country road driving will help you to set the right speed for the journey.
2. Drive defensively
When you’re driving in urban settings you need to be aware that not all drivers will drive well, or even follow the highway code! Make sure that you anticipate the behaviour of other drivers and adapt your own driving accordingly.
3. Directions aren’t the be all and end all.
You’ll receive directions from both the examiner and a sat nav at different points in your driving test. If you realise you’re in the wrong lane at the last minute, it might be dangerous to correct yourself. If that’s the case, it’s fine to make a wrong turn - it’s more important to drive safely than to follow directions accurately, and our local driving instructors say that you’re unlikely to be penalised.
Manual or automatic lessons?
Are you ready to learn to drive? The first step is to choose between manual and automatic driving lessons.
Manual licence holders are able to drive both manual and automatic cars, however, automatic drivers are stuck with automatic cars only.Flexibility is the main plus point with learning in a manual.
Cost is also another factor as manual instructors tend to be more common and therefore lessons can be cheaper.A manual offers the driver a bit more control over the vehicle - especially on windy rural roads where a gear change can help you navigate twists, turns and hill climbs more effectively.
Automatic cars on the other hand are more straightforward to begin with as you don't need to worry about gear changes at all.On top of this, the lack of a clutch pedal makes automatic cars easier to drive in heavy traffic, so it you’re going to be getting a car to run you around Darlington town centre, you may well prefer an automatic.
Both transmissions come with their pros and cons, so think carefully before making your decision!
Where can I find driving lessons in Darlington
No matter where you are in Darlingtonor the surrounding areas, our driving instructors have got you covered.
Enter your postcode to see driving lesson prices near you.