[gemstone]

Hi

I'm 31 years old and will be picking up learning to drive again after a 15 year break.

Back when I was 17 I had 20 hours plus of lessons with a small independent instructor where I lived at the time. Finances ran out so I never took the test.

My new provisional licence is due to arrive any day now but I still can't decide what driving school to go with :confused:

A lot of driving schools use the roads near me for lessons and there can be as many as 6 -7 different driving school cars at any one time on one stretch of road :rolleyes:

I'm aware this site may have links to BSM but I am wary of booking lessons with them as all their instructors in the cars I've seen seem younger than me and I'm not sure I want to be taught to drive by someone younger than me :o

I live in Barking on the edge of London/Essex can anyone recommend a driving school at all? No-one I know locally has been able to help with this because they all learnt to drive years ago.

[dmorgan]

Having worked as an instructor for the last couple of years, rest assured that your not alone in restarting your driving career at your age. About half of my pupils fall into the age group of 25 - 35 years old.

You seem to know what you want from a driving instructor, so why not phone up some companies to see if they have anyone matching your needs.

The benefit of a company like BSM (and yes I am a BSM instructor) is that they have a large pool of instructors to choose from.

Good luck in finding the right instructor for you.

[nervousgal]

Learners UK

I have tried AA (impersonal and badly organised in my experience, plus I had two horrendous instructors). Am now with Learners UK and my instructor is great although I may just have been lucky!

[TLDS]

@gemstone Hi there 👋
It’s great to hear you’re picking up driving again — you’re definitely not alone! Many learners return after a long break, and with your 20+ hours of past experience, you're likely to pick things up quicker than you expect.
We understand your hesitation when it comes to choosing the right instructor, especially if you're concerned about being taught by someone younger. At Top Learner Driving School, based right here in Barking, we offer both manual and automatic lessons with experienced DVSA-approved instructors, including those who specialise in working with adults and returning learners.
Our trainers are mature, professional, and patient, and we tailor every lesson to suit your learning pace and confidence level. You’ll never feel rushed — and we focus on helping you become a safe, confident, and test-ready driver.
You’re also welcome to have a trial lesson first to see how you feel before committing. No pressure, just a supportive environment to help you get back into the driver’s seat with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to check out our website: www.toplearner.uk
Wishing you the very best as you restart your driving journey — and if you have any questions, we’re happy to help!
— Top Learner Driving School – Barking & East London

[olduser]

Hi gemstone, as TLDS shows they can and do promise anything and everything until you have signed up.
You sound as though your early training went well with a one person driving school, if it was me I would seek to do that again.
As to the age of the instructor or sex for that matter, if you want to learn, and you are willing to be taught, all you need is a competent instructor, if you are not willing to be taught then no one will be able to teach you.
Think about it, and if you really want to learn jump in, if the instructor turns out to be obnoxious, find another.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by TLDS

@gemstone Hi there 👋
It’s great to hear you’re picking up driving again — you’re definitely not alone! Many learners return after a long break, and with your 20+ hours of past experience, you're likely to pick things up quicker than you expect.
We understand your hesitation when it comes to choosing the right instructor, especially if you're concerned about being taught by someone younger. At Top Learner Driving School, based right here in Barking, we offer both manual and automatic lessons with experienced DVSA-approved instructors, including those who specialise in working with adults and returning learners.
Our trainers are mature, professional, and patient, and we tailor every lesson to suit your learning pace and confidence level. You’ll never feel rushed — and we focus on helping you become a safe, confident, and test-ready driver.
You’re also welcome to have a trial lesson first to see how you feel before committing. No pressure, just a supportive environment to help you get back into the driver’s seat with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to check out our website: www.toplearner.uk
Wishing you the very best as you restart your driving journey — and if you have any questions, we’re happy to help!
— Top Learner Driving School – Barking & East London

Times must be hard at Top Learner Driving School. It seems they're reduced to touting for business from someone who enquired on this forum seventeen years ago.