Find the right driving instructors and the right driving courses

The type of driving course that works for you varies from one individual to the next. Some people need weeks of instruction, while others may benefit from an intensive course over a few days.

Either way, finding the right driving instructor will greatly increase your chances of passing your test. It can also affect how many driving lessons you need before you feel ready for your test.

Anyone over the age of 21, who has held a full driving licence for at least three years, is permitted to offer you driving instruction. However, few people will be able to pass their driving test without some form of professional tuition.

That is because a professional driving instructor will be able to offer advice on:

- The theory and hazard perception tests.

- Building confidence and staying relaxed behind the wheel.

- Recognising areas you need to work on.

- Ongoing training courses, such as Pass Plus

When you are comparing driving instructors, you should ask friends or family members who have recently passed their tests about their own learning experience.

This will let you know about an instructor's reputation, experience and methods. After all, if you are working with an instructor you like, and feel relaxed in their presence, you will learn faster.

Cost considerations are important when choosing the type of driving course that suits you.

An intensive, residential driving course may cost less in the long term, although the initial outlay will be higher.

This sort of course involves taking hours and hours of lessons over a few days, and sitting your test at the end. While there is no guarantee that this form of course will suit everyone, it can be ideal if you have to learn to drive quickly - if you have an upcoming deadline by which you have to be able to drive, for example.

Taking traditional driving lessons means you get to spread the cost, and also means you will not be bombarded with a large amount of information over a short period of time.

The type of driving course that will suit you depends entirely on you. Some people will be able to pass after practising with their friends or family members, some people will need a mixture of professional and private tuition and others will be most suited to an intensive course of driving lessons.

Whatever you choose, you should get as much experience on the road as you can before you sit your practical test.