You want to get your car driving license. Naturally, the first thing you'll do is look for a driving school to take lessons. We will help you choose a good driving school. What should you look out for? And what pitfalls should you definitely avoid?
Trial lesson
Always request a trial lesson from a driving school. A trial lesson is often free or there is a reduced rate. Do not feel obliged to choose that particular driving school because of this. A trial lesson is intended to test your vehicle control and traffic insight, to estimate how many driving lessons you need and which lesson package suits you best – also in terms of budget. A quick learner needs 30 lessons or fewer, but the average learner quickly needs around 40 lessons. Check if you will have a permanent instructor and a permanent lesson vehicle. Occasionally having lessons with a different instructor can be beneficial.
Lessons and lesson packages
Different driving schools charge very different rates. Don't get fixated on the price for one lesson. €45 or €60 per lesson is a significant difference, of course, but ultimately it's about what you end up paying.
Also pay attention to how long a driving lesson lasts. Some schools have 50-minute lessons, and others have 60-minute lessons. Therefore, the school with the lowest lesson price isn't automatically the one with the lowest hourly rate.
Most driving schools offer attractively priced all-in packages, including a certain number of lessons and ‘free’ theory and practical exams. Please note that theory and practical exams are never free, but are simply included in the all-in price.
Many driving schools also offer an exam guarantee. With most driving schools, this means that the driving school will pay for your second exam if you don't pass the first time. Of course, this doesn't mean you're 100 percent sure to get your driving licence.
Crash course
Many driving schools offer you the opportunity to obtain your driving licence within one or a number of weeks by taking very intensive lessons. At least two, but often three or four driving lessons one after another, or per day. This intensive lesson style is not suitable for everyone. Some do indeed learn faster this way, while others benefit more from one or two individual driving lessons of one or two hours per week.
Success rate
It is good to pay attention to a driving school's pass rate. However, this figure doesn't tell the whole story. The average number of lessons required to pass is at least as important. A pass rate of 91-95 per cent for the first exam might seem good, but it says nothing about the number of lessons the successful students took. Some driving schools are rather conservative in the number of lessons they advise. Also, look at the pass rate for re-tests.
Just got your driving licence and want to hire a car?
Finally, a question we often receive. “I've just got my driving licence. Can I rent a car from you then?” In short: yes, you can. However, for cars in the mid-range category or higher, you must be 21 years old and have held a (relevant) driving licence for at least one year.
Did you know that we have a qualified driving school owner and driving instructor on staff? Ersan van Fangio Driving School For over ten years, he has combined his driving school with his work at Adrem Car Hire Limburg. Fangio Driving School is the only driving school in Limburg to offer a lesson package with Unlimited lessons Got your driving licence and want a Car hire in the Heerlen regionThis is possible at Adrem!
