BSM, Nationwide UK Review

Whatever you do, do NOT go with BSM. My experience has been awful.

To begin with, when I started my lessons with BSM it was very much about the money. My first instructor spoke to me about how he preferred it if we didn't drive around to much because it uses a lot of petrol that he has to pay for because BSM don't pay him enough. So, for the majority of the time we'd practise the three point turn over and over. I had no control over the clutch by my fifteenth lesson with him, despite asking him for advice on the subject. He often arrived early and stood outside his car smoking and drinking out of a flask. The one time when I went out in time, he spilt his drink of the chair I then had to sit in. He was unprofessional, and spoke about how he liked to swerve around in the car in the snow and ice. He cancelled lessons without consulting me, and even charged me for one that he cancelled. He was unprofessional, and had no real experience because he had a file that he'd show me when he wanted me to attempt a manoeuvre. We did hardly any driving, and he just presumed I could do roundabouts what I told him I'd never driven before. When we contacted BSM they apologised and got me a new instructor. I have a new instructor now but I've had 40 lessons now and I'm nowhere near ready for my test. I just feel let down by BSM and we are trying to get our money back. I was taught things wrong, and many of the errors I was told to do would have gotten me a fail on my test. BSM's customer service is appalling, they are incredibly hard to get hold of - even their instructors struggle to get help with their issues. I get the feeling from BSM that it is very much about money and not the safety or experience of the pupil. DO NOT GO WITH BSM. Their best instructors are now leaving them for different firms and we will not be continuing with them. I'm VERY angry.