Check They Hold a Valid ADI Badge
Before anything else, confirm your instructor is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), registered with the DVSA. It is illegal for anyone to charge money for driving instruction without holding this qualification. A genuine ADI will display a green badge in the front windscreen during lessons.
There are also trainee licence holders (PDIs) — instructors still completing their training. They are legal to teach under supervision, but you should know if that is who you are learning with.
At Moon Driving School, all of our instructors are fully qualified, DVSA-approved ADIs.
Look for Specialist Local Knowledge
A driving instructor who knows your area and your test centre makes a real difference. If you are preparing for your test at Morden, Tolworth or Mitcham, you want an instructor who trains specifically on those routes — not just teaches you to drive in general.
Local knowledge means your lessons are spent on the actual roads you will face on test day. Every junction, every roundabout, every speed transition becomes familiar before it counts.
Read Reviews Carefully
Do not just look at the star rating. Read what people actually say. Look for mentions of patience, communication, how the instructor handles nerves, and pass rates. Pay attention to how recent the reviews are and whether they are from people in a similar situation to you.
You can read genuine reviews from Moon Driving School students on our reviews page.
Ask About Male and Female Instructors
Some learners feel more comfortable with a male instructor, others prefer female. It is a personal choice and a legitimate one. A good driving school will offer both options without making you feel awkward about asking.
Moon Driving School has both male and female DVSA-approved instructors available across South West London.
Consider Lesson Flexibility
Your schedule matters. A good driving school will offer weekday, evening and weekend lessons to work around your life — not the other way around. Ask about cancellation policies and what happens if your instructor is unavailable.
We offer flexible scheduling across all of our lesson types — from manual and automatic lessons through to intensive courses and refresher sessions.
Watch Out for Inflated Lesson Estimates
A reputable instructor will be honest about how many lessons you need — not tell you what keeps you coming back longest. Ask for a realistic assessment at your first lesson and be wary of any school that will not give you a straight answer.
Consistency Matters More Than Price
The cheapest option is not always the best value. Learning with the same instructor lesson after lesson means you do not waste time re-explaining where you left off. Consistency of instruction builds confidence faster and leads to better results.
If you are thinking about block booking your hours to guarantee consistency and value, our 20-hour block booking is worth considering.
Ready to Find the Right Instructor?
Moon Driving School covers Morden, Wimbledon, Sutton, Wandsworth, Tooting, Earlsfield, Raynes Park, Putney, Southfields, New Malden, Epsom and Worcester Park. Get in touch today and we will match you with the right instructor for you.