Learners - Choosing an instructor

Three Shires only employs fully qualified instructors, known as Approved Driving Instructors.
ADI’s are approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to teach learner drivers for payment. An ADI must:

have held a full driving licence for at least four years
pass a strict Theory test
pass a strict driving test
reach and keep up a high standard of instruction
be registered with the DSA
display a green ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle.

The green badge is therefore your guarantee of receiving a high quality of tuition.
If you wish to contact a Three Shires instructor, then please contact the person below, depending on your location and driving requirements:

Fleet and Instructor Training:
Neville Stamford (+ Mini Bus Training) 01933 626455
Bedford

George Ritchie - 01933 626455
Bedford

Automatic and Disabled Tuition

Peter Essex - Automatic, Disabled and Manual - 01234 764826
Milton Keynes, Bedford and surrounding areas.

Andrew Wilkins – Automatic - 01234 765513
Bedford and surrounding areas.

Manual Tuition

Jenny Thompson – 07789 041063
Bedford

Jon Ingle – 07901 747285
Bedford and surrounding areas

Shirley Brown – 01234 854829
Wootton, Kempston, Bedford

Gemma Cooper – 01234 828803
Bedford, Cople, Biggleswade

Keith Pearce – 01234 313424
Wilstead, Bedford, Letchworth, Milton Keynes

Northampton

David Skinner - Manual - 01604 769872 or 07819 466123
Northampton and Towcester

Trevor Tarry - Manual and Towing Training - 01604 708606 or 07805 795120
Northampton and Towcester

Peter Stratten – Manual - 01604 473417

Chris Howard – Manual - 01604 813660
Rushden, Raunds, Earls Barton, Wellingborough, Northants.

Bev Stanley – Manual – 01604 709049


Many other driving schools have instructors ‘training on the job'. These instructors display a pink badge on their windscreen. The potential drawbacks from using a trainee instructor are:

They have only a six month licence so they could stop teaching you part way through your lessons
They may have done significantly less training than a fully qualified instructor
They haven’t passed the instructional ability exam.

The Driving Standards Agency say: "It is unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) would have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly".

We have both male and female instructors, who are patient and friendly.

They will:

Use modern teaching methods
Give you a full 2 hours (or 1 hour) tuition
Use an up to date car
Provide structured lessons and teach to your individual ability so you don’t end up having more lessons than is necessary
Help you with the ‘show me, tell me’ questions covering basic maintenance
Help you with the Theory test.
Provide guidance on the Hazard Perception Test
Issue a progress book so that you have a record of what you've achieved and what needs to be done.
Make themselves available for contact out of hours


They won't:

Smoke, eat or drink during your lesson
Stop at shops to pick up shopping
Pick up the next pupil before your lesson is finished so you drive to their house saving them time!
Shout!

You should exercise care when choosing an instructor. Take into account the comments above; ask friends and relatives; choose an instructor who has a good reputation; is reliable and punctual; whose car suits you, and above all, that the instructor suits you. At Three Shires, we believe that we hold these qualities and can deliver what you need to help you pass your driving test.