Want to get your driving license? First of all you’ll need a great instructor. Look for someone you like, trust and feel comfortable with.

With more than 120-hours of driving experience required by many states before you can pass your driving test, chances are Mum or Dad will be key to helping you get your wheels.

But because every driver picks up bad habits from time to time, it’s important that you take some formal lessons, to make sure you aren’t learning any bad habits that could jeopardise your chances of getting your Ps.

So how do you find a great driving instructor? There are lots of driving schools to choose from, so a good way to start is to ask for personal recommendations from friends and family. Here’s some questions you could ask.

• How many lessons did it take before they sat for the driving test?
• Were defensive driving skills taught?
•  Was the instructor best-practice in their approach to driving?
• Were they always on time for lessons?

Your number one requirement is to feel comfortable with the driving instructor. Most driving instructors are highly qualified, have high levels of patience and can remain calm when in the car with a driver under instruction. You should not feel intimidated by the driving instructor, and crucially, you need to be able to understand their direction.

It’s always good to use a driving instructor with a proven track record. Note down a list of questions to ask the driving instructor when you are calling up different companies – don’t forget to include to ask about their pass rate and average number of lessons they recommend.

Many driving schools cater to a wide range of learners, including those wanting refresher classes, overseas license conversions and instruction for disabled drivers.