Change driving instructor

ricksanchez

Hi,

I have all my lessons paid for with ISM, but have only had three in the past eight months because my instructor is incredibly off putting. Between playing games on his phone, he takes calls and cuts lessons short because he showed up late or has something else to do. He's also condescending and frankly just plain insulting.

I would rather not see him again but he has my lesson book, and has not entered any lessons on the MyEDT site.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to proceed here?

MascotDec85

A written complaint to both ISM and the RSA

denmarionne

I also experienced the same thing- instructor using his phone, not paying much attention to my driving and has not logged in my lessons in My EDT account. I sent an email to the ISM about it. They booked me for another driving instructor and disregarded the first 2 hours I had with the first lad.

Extrasupervery

Bail, that instructor sounds awful. ISM should sort you with another one, and upload your completed lessons.

I had my first lesson in years (long story) last week, and found the instructor to be so off putting. He was condescending, kept asking me really personal questions (how much do you earn, how much is your rent, how much does your boyfriend earn) and saying things like 'ugh I can't WAIT to be done today, I've only got one more victim after you' and 'pull in now so I can start giving out to ya'. I know I was there to be instructed, but I'm a grown ass woman, I'm not there to be given out to.

Attitude aside he gave me very good tips, and I did learn a lot, so I was unsure how to proceed. I booked a lesson with a different instructor (just to see if there was a big difference) and I am so glad that I did, the second instructor was also very competent and good at instructing, but with a nice, reassuring attitude and without the nosy/condescending edge. He pointed out where I need to improve, but he also commended me on things I do well and told me that I'm 'not as nervous as I think I am' which is confusing but somehow reassuring.

The first guy was recommended to me by a friend who got on well with him, but I think he would have discouraged me from completing lessons. He also only wanted to book for one hour lessons every three weeks, and I'm looking towards a test, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere fast that way. I think the instructor makes such a difference and would encourage learners to shop around, where possible.

J_R

denmarionne wrote: »

I also experienced the same thing- instructor using his phone, not paying much attention to my driving and has not logged in my lessons in My EDT account. I sent an email to the ISM about it. They booked me for another driving instructor and disregarded the first 2 hours I had with the first lad.

Hi,

Demand that you get credited for those two lessons.

From:-
Your Logbook

How the logbook works

When you start your first EDT lesson, you will be given an official logbook by your ADI to record the details of your training and progress, as well as necessary preparation for your next lessons. You can familiarise yourself with the format by viewing a sample logbook(PDF).

When you complete an EDT lesson, your ADI will stamp the relevant section of your logbook and record some feedback on how well or whether you met the lesson objectives. To meet the lesson objectives you must prepare properly, practice with a Sponsor and you may need to take additional instruction.

An ADI can only sign the lessons they have given, so be sure to get your logbook updated by your ADI after each lesson. If you change ADIs, your new ADI will not be able to fill out your logbook for lessons you have already taken.

The logbook also provides space for both you and your Sponsor to assess your performance in your EDT lessons. This evaluation will help you understand what you need to practice to become a safer driver and how best to prepare for your next lesson.

Note: It does not say, to stamp Only if the objective of the lesson was achieved.

Send the above and a copy of the "new" regulations to ISM and request that the missing lessons be uploaded to MyEDT
S.I. No. 4/2012 - Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Learner Permit Holders) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.

Anybody consider that the reason the objective of a lesson is not reached is due to the instructor not the learner ?

denmarionne

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

Demand that you get credited for those two lessons.

From:-



Note: It does not say, to stamp Only if the objective of the lesson was achieved.

Send the above and a copy of the "new" regulations to ISM and request that the missing lessons be uploaded to MyEDT


Anybody consider that the reason the objective of a lesson is not reached is due to the instructor not the learner ?

I won't bother asking for the instructor to update my EDT, he didn't even discuss the syllabus or the logbook and only told me that it wasn't required at all and that everything is done online now. He took me to the motorway and it was my first time on the road, I believe that was very dangerous even if we were using the dual controlled cars!

denmarionne

Extrasupervery wrote: »

Bail, that instructor sounds awful. ISM should sort you with another one, and upload your completed lessons.

I had my first lesson in years (long story) last week, and found the instructor to be so off putting. He was condescending, kept asking me really personal questions (how much do you earn, how much is your rent, how much does your boyfriend earn) and saying things like 'ugh I can't WAIT to be done today, I've only got one more victim after you' and 'pull in now so I can start giving out to ya'. I know I was there to be instructed, but I'm a grown ass woman, I'm not there to be given out to.

Attitude aside he gave me very good tips, and I did learn a lot, so I was unsure how to proceed. I booked a lesson with a different instructor (just to see if there was a big difference) and I am so glad that I did, the second instructor was also very competent and good at instructing, but with a nice, reassuring attitude and without the nosy/condescending edge. He pointed out where I need to improve, but he also commended me on things I do well and told me that I'm 'not as nervous as I think I am' which is confusing but somehow reassuring.

The first guy was recommended to me by a friend who got on well with him, but I think he would have discouraged me from completing lessons. He also only wanted to book for one hour lessons every three weeks, and I'm looking towards a test, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere fast that way. I think the instructor makes such a difference and would encourage learners to shop around, where possible.

ISM did book me with another instructor and gave me back 2 hours of my lessons so it was as if the lessons I took with the awful instructor never happened. I never learned much from him anyway. I hope the new instructor will be nice and that he would be encouraging enough during the lessons. I'm a nervous driver because I never had any driving experience!!! I would need someone to turn that around before I sit the actual test.

J_R

denmarionne wrote: »

ISM did book me with another instructor and gave me back 2 hours of my lessons so it was as if the lessons I took with the awful instructor never happened. I never learned much from him anyway. I hope the new instructor will be nice and that he would be encouraging enough during the lessons. I'm a nervous driver because I never had any driving experience!!! I would need someone to turn that around before I sit the actual test.

Hi,

But they have stolen two lessons. An email is free. Just send them one requesting the missing lessons, with a CC to the RSA. And when your 12 paid lessons have been uploaded to the RSA, move, get another instructor. preferably an independent one.

If it does not work out with your "new" ISM instructor, turns up late, cuts lessons short or you are learning nothing request another.

Some instructors are terrible, worst ever, I had a pupil once, middle-aged Dutch woman, she had taken two lessons a week for seven months, learned nothing. She thought it was her fault and all Irish instructors were all the same. She learned more in the one hour with me than the fifty odd she had with the other so-called instructor.

Many years ago there was a program on the TV, woman called Barbara Woodhouse would train problem dogs. She used to say that there was no such thing as a bad dog only bad owners, I think somewhat similar, no such thing as a bad pupil, only bad instructors.

Do not be afraid to change