Driving lessons in Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, and East Belfast
Prices for driving lessons in Bangor and Newtownards
Show me tell me instructions for driving tests
Theory Test in Northern Ireland hints and tips
Information for your practical test day
Choosing an Instructor
Contact us and make a booking
Recent successful passes with XLR8 Driving NI
Testimonials from satisfied customers of XLR8 Driving NI
Funny Driving School Videos

 

 

Choosing an Instructor

In Northern Ireland, only Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), and licensed instructors under training, can give instruction for payment.  It is illegal for anyone else to charge you for driving lessons.
Learning to drive can be an expensive business, so it makes sense to choose a driving instructor carefully.

Questions to Consider:

  • Is the instructor a fully-qualified Approved Driver Instructor (ADI)?
  • Do they have a Certificate of Registration (which should be worn by the instructor, or clearly displayed in the car during instruction)?
  • What is the instructor's pass rate for learners sitting the practical test for the first time?
  • How long, and how much, are lessons?
  • Will you get a discount for booking a block of lessons in advance?
  • What model of car is used as the tuition vehicle?
  • Does the tuition vehicle have dual controls?
  • How old is the tuition vehicle?
  • Can the driver's seat and steering column of the tuition vehicle be adjusted to suit your height and build?  This is particularly important if you are either very tall, or very short.
  • Does the tuition vehicle have safety features such as air bags and side impact protection? 
  • Will the instructor pick you up and drop you off at your home address, or other location that is convenient to you?

Why us?

With XLR8 Driving NI you are assured that our instructors are fully qualified, our cars well maintained and never more than three years old. We have an excellent combined first time pass rate of 89% (May 2010-April 2011), which includes pupils for both Colin and Mark. We both currently use 2010 Diesel Renault Clio’s, fitted with He-man dual controls, and fully adjustable seats for all sizes of pupil. Having the same cars ensures that should there be a problem with mechanical breakdown, or instructor illness, your lessons will still carry on in a car that you are totally familiar with. Not all schools do this, and an independent instructor falling ill will probably result in your lessons being cancelled temporarily. As you will see on our prices page, we do give a discount for advance block bookings and our lesson prices are very competitive. We are totally flexible when it comes to picking you up and dropping you off again, and will work to your needs.

Practising with Friends and Relatives

If you have the opportunity to drive while accompanied by friends or relatives, this can be an inexpensive (subject to insurance) way to increase your experience of driving before sitting your test. Remember that any person who sits with you must be at least 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years.

How can I find a driving instructor?

Driving schools or independent?

Some driving Instructors work by themselves, while others are part of bigger driving schools. Whatever type of driving instructor you decide to go with, make sure you talk to them directly (and not just their salesperson) to make sure you feel comfortable with them.
As with any service you pay for, it’s often best to shop around and compare at least two or three driving instructors (or driving schools) before you make a final decision. You can check if an instructor is qualified and registered, on the NI Direct website.

Your driving instructor should always:

  • Be punctual
  • Arrive in a clean well-maintained car
  • Have a prepared lesson plan based on the DVA Syllabus.
  • Explain the syllabus to you and regularly update you on the progress you have made.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call, or email us at anytime, click here to contact us.