When looking for a driving instructor training course it is important to speak to other people who have been successful with the company. Ideally you should find someone independently if possible.

Ask if you can attend the training centre and speak to a number of students at random (rather than just chatting with one or two who have been 'planted' by the company).

Ideally the person you talk to will have passed all the exams either first or second time and have not required extra training over and above the basic course. The should also have passed Part-Three of the driving instructors examination with more than the minimum required score.

It is also important to find someone who either works for themselves or works for a different company from the company that they trained with. Rather than single references, ask for a list of up to 10 or 12 names that you can choose from at random. The company should also have fixed references from satisfied customers.

Perhaps a more reliable method is to ask around in your area - it's surprising how many people have been interested in driving instruction as a career. Do you know a driving instructor? (Who did you originally learn with?)

If you know, or can get to know an instructor ask him/her if they have heard of the companies, or named individuals that you are considering and what kind of reputation they have (in our case you would ask about SmartDriving and John Farlam).

There is also a register of training bodies, ORDIT. This was originally set up in the late 1980's (under a different name) and has been run by a committee of representatives from the driving school profession. Organisations represented on the committee include the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) and DIA (Driving Instructors' Association).

Some companies and trainers affiliate with ORDIT simply because they feel that it is a necessary marketing requirement and will help them to sell their driving instructor training courses. Others support the scheme out of a genuine wish to improve and raise standards. However, some excellent trainers have, for whatever reason, chosen not to join the ORDIT scheme.

Although one of John Farlam's specialist training programmes helps trainers to gain ORDIT registration he does not fully support the ORDIT scheme at this time; this is because he is disappointed with its failure to police the industry effectively.

Many of John's rescue clients come to him for help after being badly let down by ORDIT registered companies - do your homework!

The SmartDriving project aims to set new standards of performance in training, and ethical business practice, for others to follow - we fully support the principle behind ORDIT but feel we cannot support it until it 'gets its act together' and offers proper protection for the consumer.

You can get more information about ORDIT from the Driving Standards Agency (contact details here).

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