Picking the Right Driving Instructor and How to Avoid My Mistakes!

Seriously, if you pick the wrong driving instructor, you're just throwing money and time down the drain. Let me share my experience switching instructors; maybe it will help you avoid some pitfalls.

Instructor #1: The L Lady

Ms. L instructor I mentioned in my first note was super slow to reply. We'd set up a time, then she'd say she wasn't feeling well. I said no worries, we could reschedule when she felt better. But then, two weeks went by, and not a peep from her. I decided to give up and keep looking.

Instructor #2: The Local Facebook Find

Next, I asked around on Facebook and found a local female instructor Ms. S that quite a few people recommended. I had one lesson with her, and it felt pretty good. The best part was how honest and friendly she was – I really liked her. But her schedule was completely packed, and it was almost impossible to book a slot. Since I wanted to take my road test ASAP, I had to put her on hold.

Instructor #3: The Xiaohongshu Hunt (Four Tries!)

Xiaohongshu is a popular app in China. I searched on Xiaohongshu and found four different Chinese instructors, all recommended by others. The price was the same for all of them: $120 for 90 minutes.

Instructor A: He seemed like a great teacher, but he'd only answer if I asked a direct question – like he didn't care, maybe he had too many students. Then I asked how to get started, and he never even replied. Forget it, a lesson with him would definitely be boring.

Instructor B: His messages looked really professional, but then I accidentally stumbled upon some negative reviews about him online. I didn't want to waste $120. When looking for an instructor, it's really worth searching on Xiaohongshu to double-check. After I deleted him, he kept trying to add me back, which was a bit creepy.

Instructor C: He was pretty friendly. But in the very first lesson, he took me straight to the VicRoads testing center to practice! I was a complete beginner, barely knew how to drive, so it was way too fast for me. Not a good fit.

Instructor D: When I told him I had no "feel" for turning, he took me to a nearby area just to practice left turns. I actually felt pretty accomplished and like I was really making progress. So I decided to stick with him.

If you want to see how this fits into my whole story, you can read about my very first driving lesson and later, the professional instructor who wasn't quite right.

My Takeaways: Key Points for Choosing an Instructor

• Ask lots of questions; see if the instructor is patient and if their schedule works for you.
• Try just one lesson first. If it's not a good fit, switch. Do not feel pressured just because you "agreed" to something.
• Be direct. If you don't like an instructor, say it. Do not worry about "hurting feelings."
• Remember that recommendations aren't always perfect for you. Everyone learns differently, and personalities vary.
• Know that a good first lesson doesn't mean it will always be good. Patience and a good teaching pace from the instructor are key. If the communication isn't working, switch.
• Friendly doesn't always mean professional. The instructor's skill, teaching rhythm, and explanation style are what truly matter. I really dislike teaching styles that aren't systematic, like just letting you drive around or having you try all sorts of road conditions randomly. While it might seem like you're achieving something (like "today I drove on the freeway!"), it can actually make you feel more frustrated.

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Related Articles

• My First Driving Lesson in Melbourne
• My Driving Journey: The Professional Instructor Who Wasn't Quite Right
• Don't Make My Mistake: When to Fire Your Driving Instructor