How To Spot a Bad Driving Instructor

Finding the right driving instructor is key to making you have the best driving experience and that you have the greatest chance of passing your driving test. 

However, while the vast majority of driving instructors, either those that work as part of a school or freelance instructors, are excellent, and will provide you with the service you need, there are always going to be some bad apples.

Unfortunately, if you don’t have any experience of driving or driving lessons, it can be hard to realize that you’ve signed up with a subpar driving instructor. So, in this article, we’ll be giving you some tips on how to spot a bad driving instructor.

They Aren’t Licensed 

Just owning a car and being able to drive doesn’t qualify you to be a driving instructor. Before you can teach others how to drive, you first need to prove that you have a superlative command of the rules of the road and are also able to teach those skills to other drivers, which isn’t as easy as it might sound.

For that reason, driving instructors need to complete rigorous training and prove definitively that they are able to instruct learner drivers with no experience of the road.

The actual licensing body changes from state to state, but every state has one and they all issue an accredited driving instructor license. This should be displayed prominently in the car of your driving instructor. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for your driving instructor’s license to operate. They should have no problem presenting it to you and, if they can’t, you should move on.

They’re Snappy or Impatient

Not everyone is suited to taking on the role of instructor, for a start, it takes immense reserves of patience to take someone who has never been in command of a motor vehicle before and then teach them to handle that car in a series of potentially dangerous situations without making them nervous or increasing the stress they are already under. 

If you find your driving instructor is short-tempered, snappy, impatient, or worst of all, aggressive with you, then it might be time to find one you feel more comfortable with. 

They’re Unprofessional

Most people from a fairly tight bond with their driving instructor simply because they are going to be spending a lot of time with them in a small space under stressful circumstances. Building this particular bond is key to working well with your instructor and trust is a key part of that. 

Driving can be a dangerous activity and being able to place you trust in your instructor makes it easier to follow their directions and take on the lessons they are giving you.

It can, however, be hard to trust people who are unable to act in a professional manner. If you driving instructor is consistently late, hasn’t properly prepared you lesson, has a car filled with junk food wrappers, or behaves inappropriately, then you don’t have to just stick it out, you should find a new instructor.

They’re Easily Distracted

As any good driving instructor will tell you, distraction is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a driver. When you driving more than a ton of metal at speeds of 40mph and above, it only takes of few seconds of distraction to result in a terrible accident. 

The same applies to your driving instructor. Their job is both to instruct you and, especially when you are just starting out, making sure that you aren’t about to make a mistake. They can’t do that if they’re fiddling with the radio, checking their messages or taking a personal phone call.

Much as you need to be focussed on the task at hand to stay safe and take on as much of the driving lesson as possible, your instructor also needs to 100% focussed on what you’re doing and, just as importantly, what you’re not doing.

If your instructor seems distracted, detached, or disinterested, then you aren’t getting any value for the money you are spending on your lessons. 

Expert Training

The Northwest Driving School and Traffic School provides the Las Vegas community with live driving and traffic classes taught by seasoned instructors. All of our driving instructors have passed background checks, each automobile is DMV safety-approved and every member of the Northwest family is committed to providing excellent drivers ed and behind the wheel instruction.

At Northwest, you can expect to find outstanding classes, both on campus and behind the wheel, that are engaging, fact-filled, entertaining and geared toward success. We make no bones about it, we believe that Northwest provides the best driving lessons in Las Vegas, no matter your age or background. We are proud of the fact that 98% of our students pass their test on the first try. Call us at (702) 403-1592 to start your driving adventure with one of our expert instructors.

Written by:
Rich Heinrich
Master Instructor, Emeritus