Are You With The Wrong Driving Instructor?

It’s common to feel discouraged when you are not seeing the results you want from your driving lessons. 

If you’re feeling this way, it could be because of one simple thing – you may have found yourself with the wrong instructor!  

While many instructors offer similar services, they might not be able to meet your needs. 

In this blog post, we will discuss how to identify the signs that your driving instructor might not be right for you and what steps to take if you think you’re with the wrong instructor.

Learn More: Meet Your Instructors at NWDS

Choosing A Driving Instructor

Choosing the right driving instructor can seem difficult, but there are a few simple things you can do to help narrow down your decision. 

First, you should ask if the instructor has passed a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DSHMV) approved course. 

If they haven’t, it might be a good idea to keep looking. They must also have three years of experience and hold at least an “A” grade for their last 10 tests.

Signs That Your Instructor Isn’t Right For You

There are several common warning signs that your driving instructor isn’t right for you, including:

Your Driving Instructor Shouts At You 

Under no circumstances should your driving instructor ever raise their voice to you in anger. This kind of emotional outburst while driving is what they are there to help you avoid, not encourage! They should always be calm and patient to get the best out of their students.

Getting angry with a student is also hugely unprofessional. If your instructor does start shouting at you, calmly tell them to return you to your drop-off point and end the lesson. If they continue to be agisted, exit the car at the next safe opportunity.

Either case, you must start looking for a new driving instructor immediately.

Your Driving Instructor Doesn’t Give Praise Or Encouragement

If your driving instructor isn’t giving you any positive feedback when doing well then this probably means that they aren’t invested in your success. 

Driving instructors need to build trust with their pupils to encourage them to push themselves further than before. 

If they don’t believe in you, why should you? You deserve better than an uninterested teacher with no faith in your abilities behind the wheel.

You Feel Intimidated By Your Driving Instructor 

There’s a difference between someone you respect for their skills and want to make a good impression with and someone who actively intimidates you.

If you feel like your driving instructor is intimidating, that’s not a good sign. You want to be able to learn in an environment where you feel comfortable and safe instead of feeling scared or intimidated every time you get behind the wheel!

Your Instructor Has No Patience With Mistakes

Driving instructors need infinite patience because it takes different people different amounts of time to pick up on things. 

If they are getting frustrated or angry after one mistake though, this isn’t going to help anyone at all. Mistakes are how we learn and your driving instructor should be there to support you during that learning process. 

Your Instructor Acts Inappropriately

Driving lessons require you to be in close proximity to your instructor for long periods and you need to trust them with your best interests. 

This means that if they start to act or say anything inappropriate, you must speak up and let them know this is unacceptable. If they continue, it may be time to look for a new driving instructor as soon as possible. 

There is no reason whatsoever that you should feel uncomfortable in your driving instructor’s presence and they should make their best effort to make you as comfortable as possible.

What To Do If You Feel Your Driving Instructor Isn’t The Right Choice

As with any professional service, you can choose which driving instructor you use and switch instructors if they aren’t right for you. 

It’s important to be able to voice your concerns and if you are uncomfortable or feel like they aren’t the best fit, then it is time for a change.