Our first staff tester chose to try Edinburgh City Driving School. With an Approved Driving Instructor boasting over 16 years of experience, we felt that he was in capable hands.

What sets this school apart are its automatic intensive driving courses. The instructors understand that each learner has a unique journey, so they tailor their approach precisely to individual needs.

Additionally, we feel that their refresher driving courses are a lifesaver for those who’ve been away from the wheel for a while. They swiftly help you regain the skills and confidence needed to drive safely.

Pass Plus, a cherry on top, expands the horizon of new drivers’ skills. This can even slash up to 30% off car insurance premiums, which is great for those on a budget.

Speaking of value, they offer competitively priced 1-hour lessons at £40. This is comparatively lower than the hourly price of other driving instructor companies.

Our staff tester’s instructor, Christine, was a gem. She was patient and understanding, and she took the time to explain everything clearly. 

Sadly, Edinburgh City Driving School suffered from erratic punctuality, with lessons often cancelled or delayed, ranging from 30 minutes to a jaw-dropping 2.5 hours. This left some of their learners to be occasionally frustrated and dampened my enthusiasm.

Another downside lies in the booking process, demanding a non-refundable 30% deposit to secure our staff tester’s spot. We think this is a tad restrictive and might not sit well with everyone.

Furthermore, the absence of Sunday lessons slightly limited scheduling options for those with busy weekdays.

Another staff tester of ours tried Able Driving School, a driving school with over 35 years of experience in Edinburgh and the Lothians. We were excited to see how she would fare since she’s a nervous driver.

It’s a good thing, then, to learn that this school specialises in handling nervous drivers and deaf pupils. These specialties set them apart from other driving instructor services.

Also, we learned that they specialise in defensive driving, which teaches you how to avoid accidents by anticipating and reacting to hazards. This is a valuable skill for all drivers, and we think it’s especially important for those who are new to driving.

Her first lesson was with Ryan, who was everything she’d hoped for in an instructor. He was patient, considerate, and laid-back, but he also knew when to be strict; she felt like she could ask him anything, no matter how silly it seemed.

Ryan also tailored his teaching to her individual needs. He knew that she was nervous about driving, so he took things slowly and made sure that she was comfortable before moving on to the next step. 

However, they were a bit unresponsive to queries. Our tester had to wait a few days to get a response to her initial email, and she also had to chase them up a few times to get her lesson confirmation.

Also, their intensive courses are relatively expensive. The 20-hour course costs £880, which is more than other driving schools in Edinburgh.

Finally, they’re closed on weekends, which can be inconvenient if you work or go to school during the week.

Our next tester chose Milligan Driver Training, a driving school run by Paul Milligan who is an independent DVSA Approved Driving Instructor. 

One of the things that he liked most about Milligan Driver Training was the free theory test apps and support. These were really helpful, as he found the theory test quite difficult. 

They also offer a price-fix guarantee, which means that once you book your block of lessons, you are locked into this price for one year with no price increases guaranteed. This consistent fee is great for those on a budget.

He stated that Paul was great at answering all his questions thoroughly, and he even gave some online tips to work on his driving between lessons. Even when he messed up a lot, Paul never made him feel bad about it.

However, payment for lessons must be made at least 48 hours in advance. We think this can be inconvenient if you’re short on time or if your plans change unexpectedly.

Second, Milligan Driver Training does not accept credit cards. This can be a hassle if you don’t have a debit card or if you prefer to use credit for online purchases.

Finally, some former learners were disappointed that there was no follow-up after they were unsuccessful with their driving tests. They tried to contact Paul a few times to see if he had any advice, but their calls and emails were ignored.

Our next staff tester’s journey with Driving Lessons Edinburgh revealed both notable strengths and areas that could use improvement. With over a decade of experience, this school certainly knows the road well. 

They’re known for their semi-intensive driving courses. We think this type of course is ideal for those leading busy lives, allowing for manoeuvre practice between lessons which enhances retention and mastery. 

The inclusion of motorway courses is also a major plus. Equipping learners for real-world scenarios beyond the basics will certainly help them become effective drivers.

Unlike other driving instructor services, they offer gift vouchers. These allow learners to share the gift of skill development with others in a personalised manner.

Colin, our tester’s instructor, addressed his struggles with manoeuvres effectively. He explained concepts quite clearly, making learning a smoother experience.

However, while quality comes at a price, the £45 per hour rate or £450 per a 10-hour block felt a bit steeper compared to alternatives at £390 for 10 hours. 

Also, the requirement for full advance payment for intensive courses could deter potential students seeking financial flexibility. Some might prefer paying only a certain percentage of the fee first.

Our tester, unfortunately, experienced a hiccup in communication. After leaving messages via the website and voicemail on consecutive days, the lack of response left him hanging.

Our staff tester decided to try Katherine’s Driving School, which is run by Katherine, an experienced driving instructor with over 17 years of experience. 

What truly set her apart was her empathetic approach, which is ideal for nervous drivers. She’s equipped with specialised skills from workshops like “L of a Way to Pass” and is certified as a driving nerves specialist. 

The exclusivity of individual lessons without other students in the car is also a plus. This ensures learners receive undivided attention and tailored guidance. 

One of the things that he liked most was the door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. This was really convenient, as he didn’t have to worry about getting to and from the lesson on his own. 

Katherine was also very flexible with her schedule, and she was always willing to work around his availability, which is a definite bonus.

During his lesson, he stated that she gave clear and simple directions with a calm and professional attitude. She was really patient, too, which gave him more confidence while driving.

However, we found her services to be a bit pricey at £45 per hour. Those on a budget might need to go elsewhere.

Second, the school only offers one car for driving, so there’s no option to choose a different car if you don’t like the one she is using.