Did you know that the choice of your driving instructor can determine how fast you learn to drive? Therefore, you should look for a driving instructor with the best qualities to take you through the lessons. Then look for the best driving instructors near me.
So, whenever you’re searching for the best driving instructors near me, don’t forget to pay attention to what previous students say about the instructor.
Are the instructors punctual? Are they friendly and experienced? The school you will join will tell you the answers. Join a qualified school and get qualified instruction from instructors with the best qualities.
Specifically, you want to know whether the instructors from your best driving school have the qualities that’ll help you transition from a nervous newbie driver to a confident pro behind the wheel.
Below is a list of the 10 best qualities that an excellent instructor should possess:
The Top Qualities of a Good Driving Instructor
1. Department of Motor Vehicle Stamp of Approval
Straight off the bat, you seek to ensure the legitimacy of your driving instructor. To avoid falling for phonies posing as qualified driving instructors, your go-to instructor must be a certified driving instructor by the Department of Motor Vehicle. The driving instructor should also be an employee of a licensed driving school.
How do you know whether your tutor is certified? Your driving instructor must carry the Driving School Instructor Certificate (MV-524). Anyone offering driving lessons without this certificate and not a certified driving school employee is doing it illegally. Remember that you’ll be paying for substantial driving exposure; you should ensure you get the real deal.
Thus, when searching for the ‘best driving instructors near me,’ first confirm their DMV certification.
If you want to know if your driving instructor is approved, visit their website and inquire about their approval or visit the website of a government agency that is meant to regulate driving instructors in your specific area and go through the list of your area-approved driving instructors.
2. Driving Trainer’s Experience
You need an instructor with excellent driving knowledge. Also, one who has already helped many driving students earn licenses. It proves they possess the know-how to work with learners with various needs.
Tutors who have excellent experience have a good deal of information about local examiners, test routes, and different climatic conditions. Nothing can beat a trainer with the inside scoop and up-to-date training.
3. Patience
You will most likely get nervous as a learner during your first driving lesson. You’re unlikely to get everything (if anything) right at the onset of your driving exposure. An excellent driving instructor should understand that no two learners are the same. Different individuals have different understandings. It should motivate your instructor to monitor your progress individually and adopt a unique approach to teaching you.
Someone always getting frustrated whenever you don’t master skills right will only knock your confidence and worsen the situation. An excellent instructor will allow you enough space and encourage you to learn and grow until you’re set for the test.
4. Friendly and Approachable
You precisely don’t need to be best buddies with your instructor, but it would help if you get along. That’s why it’s vital to have a friendly and approachable trainer. Being in a car with someone you can’t freely converse with can be awkward. Thus, you need someone who can put you at ease.
Driving instructors have to be adept socially and outgoing since they have to work with many different people. It’s, however, not a great sign if this isn’t your first impression of your instructor.
You’re not only looking for an excellent instructor to learn a valuable skill. Thus, never trivialize the power of small talk. To enjoy your lessons, you should be able to chat with your instructor relaxed, easing your nerves.
5. Recommended by Other Learner Drivers
A better way to get the measure of an instructor is to confirm their rating from their previous learners, obviously together with your gut instincts and specific eligibility. We have embraced technology since it’s a fountain of all knowledge.
Your first search of the ‘best driving instructors near me’ should lead you to their Google reviews to get the driving school’s and its instructors’ lowdown. An excellent driving instructor exhibits a range of glowing reviews. If you’d instead go to the best local driving school, you can ask around the area for recommendations.
6. Good Communication Skills
Ensure your instructor is an excellent communicator. It’ll significantly contribute to knowing what you’re doing and how well you’re doing it. As said earlier in this article, the instructor should be experienced, but what’s the use of it if it can’t be explained in a way you can understand?
If your instructor can’t accurately and kindly expound on your progress, acknowledging your weaknesses and learning from your mistakes is impossible. Without being too harsh, your instructor needs to address occasions where the feedback is negative.
When the communication between you and your trainer is off, it can discourage you. Find an instructor who’ll walk the walk and talk the talk with learner drivers.
7. An Instructor Who Matches Your Preferred Learning Style
We’re all different! We should all learn how to drive at some point in our lives! But how exactly will you learn? What works for you when learning? What’s your preferred learning style? You may be a visual learner, a verbal learner, or someone who likes to learn by experience.
The reality is that everyone responds uniquely to specific teaching methods. You need an instructor who connects with your preferred learning style. Note that, in your selection for an instructor, you’re not only distinguishing the good and the bad. Instead, you’re looking for one who matches your satisfaction desires.
At Pierre Paul Driving School, we integrate audio-visual methods in our teaching to improve the understanding ability of our students.
An instructor who everyone is praising may not relate to you at all. Think of what affects your understanding and skills. A tough-love teacher may get the best out of you, or a softly approaching teacher is your all-time go-to. To see how an instructor does the job, consider reviewing the terms of services and course assessments before signing up for a lesson.
8. A Driving Instructor You Can Rely On
Many driving schools have zero tolerance for students not attending scheduled classes or showing up late with no valid reason. It also applies to test appointments. Your instructor will most likely accompany you to the test center; you must ensure they’re reliable.
Otherwise, more cancellations of your test appointments will be necessary for your eligibility chances. You need to be organized and punctual, and so does your instructor.
Your instructor should inform you of everything you need to know, especially when some changes are made in the school.
9. An Instructor with a Good Sense of Humor
You may be wondering, does this mean I should only look for the best driving instructors near me who’re comedians? Of course, not!
Humor isn’t necessarily a requirement or a quality, but it’s a plus. It can make a huge difference. An instructor who can crack jokes and see the fun side of things should put you at ease. Your lessons will be more enjoyable.
While at it, you shouldn’t let the excitement get in the way of acquiring the expertise you need to pass your driving test. Experience and knowledge required to obtain a driving license trump the comedy gold. An odd chuckle behind the wheel reduces your nervousness.
10. A Cool, Calm, and Laid- Back Instructor
An excellent instructor is ready for the unexpected. Whenever you make a mistake, it won’t fly off the handle. There’s no reason, however, for your trainer to be anything less than cool as a cucumber since there are dual controls where the instructor can take control in case of a mishap.
What Are the Objectives of the Driving Instructor?
Driving instructors have their objectives for the driving lessons. Good driving instructors should obey their main objective and take you through them step by step.
Here are the objectives driving instructors should follow when teaching students:
- Prepare the students for the driving test
- Teach students how to safely operate a vehicle and the basic rules of the road.
- Help to generate a safety driving habits for the students.
- Expose the students to a variety of conditions to test their ability to drive in case any situation
- Motivate the students to be responsible and focused drivers
- Provide feedback on the student’s ongoing driving skills
What Should I Expect During My Driving Lessons?
In your first driving lesson, the instructor will elaborate on the basic skills, like how to start a vehicle, and afterward, you will have a chance to start the car when supervised.
You will come across some driving skills like how to stop a car, signal all the indicators, check the car’s mirrors, change/use the gears, and other primary driving skills you should master before you start driving.
How do I know if I have a bad driving instructor?
Some of the driving instructors you came close to may not have skills that will keep you going in your driving lessons. It is important to identify the negative side of the driving instructor to avoid messing up.
Some of the bad driving skills a driving instructor may possess include:
- Failing to help and guide you to improve your driving skills
- Impatient
- Unprepared to take you through the lessons
- Fail to notice any error you make while behind the wheel
- If the driving instructor is not trusted
- Lacks well-defined communication skills
- If the instructor is easily distracted on the road
Wrap Up
When searching for the best driving instructors near me, you should remember that there’s no such thing as a perfect driving trainer. However, you can never do wrong if you look for the above ten qualities. Put some thought when deciding who to go for, as your choice will play an integral role in your driving success.
At Pierre Paul Driving School, we’ve got experienced, patient, friendly, and knowledgeable driving instructors. Call us at 718-576-6277 now to schedule lessons.