Seeking Recommendations: Driving School & PassPlus Course in Reading
Hello everyone,
Although I’ve been driving for over 20 years, this will be my first experience driving in the UK. I’ve scheduled my driving test for June at the Crawley center. I’m considering enrolling in a PassPlus course at one of the local driving schools, along with a refresher course as the date approaches. I would greatly appreciate your input on the following questions:
Q1: I’ve narrowed it down to three driving schools: 1) AA Driving School 2) Quality Driving Lessons 3) BSM Driving School. Based on your experience, which one would you recommend?
Q2: Are PassPlus courses standardized across all schools? I am particularly interested in ensuring they include motorway driving, which is one of the main reasons for taking this course. (Just a note: Quality Driving School is the only one that clearly outlines what the PassPlus course entails.)
Q3: Should I consider rescheduling my driving test for an earlier date and then opt for a refresher course instead? While I feel confident in my driving skills, I’m not familiar with UK driving and want to maximize my chances of passing the test.
Thank you in advance for your help! Wishing you all a great Monday!
Hi there!
Happy Monday! It’s great to see you’re taking the initiative to prepare for driving in the UK. Here’s my advice on your questions:
Q1: Driving School Choices
All three of your choices—AA Driving School, Quality Driving Lessons, and BSM—are known for solid reputations. Based on personal experience and feedback from others:
Ultimately, I’d recommend checking reviews specific to each school and considering factors such as proximity, availability of instructors, and perhaps even discussing your unique needs with them before making a decision.
Q2: PassPlus Courses
PassPlus courses are generally standardized in terms of the key areas they cover, but the specific content can vary slightly by provider. Most courses will include motorway driving, which is a huge plus for you. Since Quality Driving Lessons specifies what’s included, it might be a good idea to get in touch with them to confirm about motorway training, as this is important for your renewal of confidence behind the wheel.
Q3: Rebooking the Test
If you’re feeling reasonably confident in your driving skills, you might consider sticking with your current test date and taking a refresher course beforehand. This will give you time to practice and get familiar with UK roads and regulations without the pressure of an impending test. However, if you think you would benefit from more practice, rebooking to a closer date after some refresher lessons could also be a good plan. Just ensure that you’re comfortable enough before the test.
Best of luck with your preparations! You’ve got this!