DVSA improves ‘find your nearest driving instructor’ feature

2 minute read  |  July 23, 2017

The website is designed to give learner drivers the ability to make an informed decision over who their instructor is while gathering the information they require to become a safe and responsible driver.

One of the improvements to the service includes giving instructors the ability to promote themselves to prospective learners. Instructors will be able to provide links to their personal website to give a greater depth of knowledge and contact details so learners are able to contact the instructor directly.

You spoke, the DVSA listened

All the changes are the result of feedback the DVSA obtained from learner drivers who have previously used the service. Greater flexibility over filters when searching was one of the main things on the list of improvements and the DVSA have allowed users to see instructors who have displayed their standards check grade, followed the ADI code of practice and who have committed to doing seven hours of continuing professional development (CPD) a year.

Who is using the service? 

I tested out the service from my postcode, which is central Stockport and found 40 approved instructors within 50 miles. I could filter my results by ADIs with code of practice certificates, standards grade check and CPD points and each time it would provide the 40 closest to my location. The problem is that they all look the same. Most didn’t have a website I could view; instead they just had the name of the instructor with an email link and telephone number.

If I were a learner I would feel daunted faced with that list. No one stood out and if I needed more information I would have needed to Google the instructor to find it, which takes away from using the service in the first place.

I feel that my choice would be better based on positive reviews of an instructor as opposed to personal development points. If I were to choose between someone who committed to seven hours of continuing professional development a year and another who had 20+ five star reviews it wouldn’t be a difficult decision.

Perhaps the implementation of a trust pilot style review and ratings system would encourage more learners to utilise the service, what are your thoughts? Let us know via our social media channels.

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