Forum Topic

Automatic Driving Instructors

Could anybody recommend a driving instructor in Brentford/Chiswick/ Ealing that gives Automatic Lessons

Liz Fox ● 3802d14 Comments

So glad it's worked out so well with Eva! :)Have you thought about threatening to write to Watchdog etc?  A driving school can't afford bad publicity what with all the competition around locally.

Faye Louise Noori ● 3760d

Just to let you know that both sons are with Eva now! They can't speak highly enough of her, she does indeed take time and inspire confidence, so thank-you. Getting the money back from Drive Dynamics is also underway. All that is needed now is for the pair of them to pass their tests.

Vanessa Smith ● 3760d

Hopefully the bank can re-claim your money back from Drive Dynamics.  You are right though, the law does trump their T&Cs but taking them to a small claims court maybe expensive.  However, I did ask my current ADI (Eva), and she recommended lodging a complaint with the ADI formal register.  Links below:https://www.gov.uk/adi-voluntary-code-of-practice#conciliationadireg@dsa.gsi.gov.ukOr email them on: adireg@dsa.gsi.gov.ukThis can take the instructor's registration away/under investigation and also place Drive Dynamics under investigation as a company. The trading standards link is: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor.Really hope you get your money back from these scammers.Keep us updated :)

Faye Louise Noori ● 3792d

The money back saga goes on - Drive Dynamics refuse to refund the money paid for lessons, Trading Standards advice is that you get a 14 day cooling off period during which time you may cancel for ANY reason and get a FULL refund. Not so say this bunch of scammers, we will only refund if you pay £25 for the privilege, and we don't care what the Consumer legislation says, that's our T&Cs! I think the law of the land might just trump their T&Cs somehow. Anyway, got on to the bank to do a charge back - they'll get the full money from these con artists. Steer clear of Drive Dynamics.

Vanessa Smith ● 3794d

Oh, is he booked with Eva?  She's an excellent instructor and brilliant value for money in my opinion.  Best of luck to him - being a young lad, I'm sure he'll pass in no time at all :) Glad trading standards has helped with some advice - try and get that money back, or at the very least make a lot of noise and they normally back down (knowing full well that they've done wrong!).

Faye Louise Noori ● 3796d

We found Trading Standards gave some excellent advice, and my son is now booked with the lady in Brentford!

Vanessa Smith ● 3796d

Best of luck to them both :)  I really hope you can get the money back from Drive Dynamic, it is of course illegal for them to keep money for services not given (not matter what it says in their T&Cs!).  Maybe mention that you're considering taking them to a small claims court and/or report them to training standards and the DSA (Driving Standards Agency)?

Faye Louise Noori ● 3797d

One of them is now with Bill Plant after an iffy beginning and is very happy. The other one is still trying to get the money he paid back from Drive Dynamics!

Vanessa Smith ● 3797d

Hi Vanessa, Thanks for the warning about 'Drive Dynamics' - getting a decent driving instructor is a chore in itself!  Like you, once I try automatic, I don't think I'll drive anything else :) But getting the manual licence because all the work cars for use are all manual. Did you manage to find a good instructor for your sons yet?

Faye Louise Noori ● 3797d

Give Drive Dynamics a wide berth too - diabolical.

Vanessa Smith ● 3798d

Yes, we've also had some less than inspiring contact with some of these driving schools, they take your money up front, then the problems start, you can't get hold of anyone, no-one returns calls, you have to wait days before an instructor gets in touch, none of this being on their website of course! It is truly appalling. I think what you are doing is sensible in learning to drive on a manual, but nothing compares with an automatic I wouldn't drive anything else now, and neither would my husband.

Vanessa Smith ● 3798d

I can't recommend Automatic Driving Instructors as such, but from my personal experience stay away from Elite Driving School - especially Richard Broughton(Head Office in Croydon) and Flying Colours Driving School (based in Isleworth - manned by Daniel Newbury).  I could highly recommend a driving instructor (my current one who I've been learning with since December 2014, but she teaches in a manual car). But if you're interested, her name is Eva from Eva's Driving School (based in Brentford) Tel: 07830 315 224.  Teaches how to drive in 'real life' as opposed to attempting to teach you the bare minimum to pass your test.  Also tends to go over the paid lesson by 20-30 minutes per lesson to make sure she's covered all the theory involved and re-capped fully on the lesson.  I'm very tempted to drive an automatic car, but I'm learning for a manual licence to cover me in work situations.

Faye Louise Noori ● 3800d

I would add a rider to that - check the reviews of any driving school/instructor before you pay for anything, we've had some less that impressive contact with several, they take your money then start messing around with arranging contact for lesson. Most of them seem to be franchises these days.

Vanessa Smith ● 3801d

If you Google that - you will find loads of driving instructors for automatic cars. Both my sons are at long last learning to drive and both have expressed a preference to have automatic cars once they've passed their test. But they are going for a full licence.

Vanessa Smith ● 3801d