The AA Driving School Reviews

Name: The AA Driving School
Address: Fanum House, Basing View,, RG21 4EA
Rating: 3.99

4.0 Rating 1,124 Reviews

75 %

of reviewers recommend The AA Driving School

Company Reviews

Questions

Metrics

4.0

Based on 1,124 reviews

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Postal Service
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Under An Hour

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Phone:

0330 100 7470

Email:

customer.services@theaa.com

Location:

Fanum House, Basing View,
RG21 4EA
Basingstoke

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The AA Driving School 5 star review on 7th September 2025

"I passed my driving test today! It was my second attempt at the practical exam, and I\u2019m beyond grateful to AA Driving School and my incredible instructor, Junaid, for helping me get here.\r\nWhen I first started learning, one of the first challenges I faced was finding an instructor who taught automatic cars in my area. I felt lucky to discover Junaid through the AA Driving School website. Not only was he available, but AA\u2019s lesson prices were also more affordable than the local average.\r\nJunaid was a game-changer. He\u2019s not just a skilled driver\u2014he\u2019s a phenomenal teacher. Always patient, polite, reliable, consistently punctual, and endlessly encouraging. I\u2019ve struggled with confidence and can be quite emotional at times, especially when I made mistakes or failed my mock tests (which happened more than once!). But Junaid never let me spiral. He helped me believe in myself, build confidence, and stay calm.\r\nI\u2019ll never forget one moment when I was feeling overwhelmed. He pointed to the \u201cAA\u201d and \u201cL\u201d signs on the bonnet, then to the brake pedal under his seat, and said:\u201cDon\u2019t panic on the road. I\u2019m with you. Other road users can see you\u2019re a learner\u2014they\u2019ll be kind.\u201d\r\nThat simple reassurance meant everything. Whenever I felt down, Junaid reminded me of the progress I\u2019d made and helped me focus on the positives. His feedback was always constructive, and his deep knowledge and experience made every lesson feel purposeful. I could genuinely feel myself improving day by day. \r\nEven on the early morning of my test, I was a bundle of nerves. I was even thinking of cancelling the test. I messaged Junaid, and he replied me: \u201cDon\u2019t worry, just give it a go! Don\u2019t lose hope. I\u2019m with you.\u201d\r\nThat message gave me the courage I needed. On the way to the test centre, he kept reassuring me that my skills were solid and I just needed to stay relaxed. That made all the difference. Yes I was still a bit nervous during the test, but I didn\u2019t panic\u2014and I did my best. When the examiner said I\u2019d passed, I was in total disbelief!\r\nJunaid is hands-down the best instructor I could\u2019ve asked for. I can\u2019t recommend him highly enough. And huge thanks to AA Driving School for making this journey possible. I\u2019ll definitely be recommending AA to all my friends who are preparing for their driving tests!"

The AA Driving School 5 star review on 23rd August 2025

The AA Driving School 5 star review on 25th June 2025

Anonymous

230

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

Filter: Rated 1 None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“avoid, waited for my first lesson, day before told it had to be cancelled for a further 2 wks, tryed to get my money back was told no, i am still trying, waste of time, no one to speak to, only emails and live chat which is rubbish never again”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Where do I begin. My first instructor was verbally abusive and destroyed my confidence and when I changed instructors the new instructor scammed me out of £60. He didnt text me till the day of our lesson (despite being assigned to me 2 weeks previously) then claimed I was too far away and cancelled. Aa customer service basically told me that that was within their policy. Joke. If youre in surrey area go with Surrey driving force. More expensive but much better and my instructor Debbie was an absolute delight.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“The worst company i have ever seen. Take the money. Driver did not showed. Till now no response.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Terrible service from instructor Ed Pratt cancelled every lesson less than 1 hr before and was offended when I said I needed driving lessons from someone who doesn't keep cancelling really shocking that he wasn't embarrassed at his own unprofessionalism clearly has some issues going on in his life probably for the best he didn't teach me So thank you Mr Ed Pratt for letting me down remember you don't like it when other companies have let you down last minute. Just to add you can't talk to anyone when you have a problem it's all web chat and operater can't tell you anything as it's a franchise and instructors have no one to answer to so s$_t all over a large name like the AA now the fun begins to get my refund as they have no other instructors and I paid booking fees on top I really did try to be understanding but the instructor just clearly has no shame or value other people's time I lost a days wages and was sat waiting 3 times with a no show then a sad excuse of how frustrated he was for letting me down unbelievable don't take people's hard earned money especially in this climate to let them down with not even a sorry”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Honestly, I wish I could put 0 stars. Been with the AA from March to August, I've booked lessons every week but only actually got to drive 3 times. Yes, that's 3 lessons in 6 months. I've had multiple instructors, all cancelling lessons 30min ahead of time. I've had to take time off work or arrange work to go around these driving lessons and they kept cancelling without notice, as I get ready to get out of my home, pretty much. I've not received any compensation or refund for this. Waste your money at will with the AA. In addition to this, one of my instructors lost their license as I was about to get into a driving lesson with them. Go with the AA at your own risk. Finally, out of the 3 lessons, one of them, my instructor was 1h late and hadn't even checked where to pick me up. I need to pass my license soon as I will be moving out of the country and they've just wasted my time and put me in great difficulty. In addition, to not answering my complaints/sending me a refund.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Absolutely Awful. Their website is a nightmare. A "glitch" cancelled my lesson that I did not know about until the instructor didn't arrive. This caused a huge inconvenience as it was at 8am and far from my home. Zero compensation.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Don't go with this driving school they will just waste your time. Their drivers cancel last min and have no regard for someone who might have taken time off work etc for the lesson. They literally cancel 10mins before the lesson time without any explanation!! When you ask their customer service for refund, they run from the chat - plus there is no customer number to call either!!”

The AA Driving School 1 star review on 3rd August 2022

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Posted 3 years ago

“Wish I could have rated zero Stars. I asked for a refund after the second lesson I had with a man called Steven Armstrong. The first lesson seemed to go okay, he was quite blunt and direct than what I was used to and he seemed to reiterate his experience incessantly so I kept schtum about any red flags I had. The second lesson was an absolute nightmare, my teacher was an incorrigible browbeater who didn’t seem to realise that it was my time and my money that was the prerogative. I was very rusty on my theory at this point, I had been let down and getting an instructor had been difficult this was not made easy by him interrogating me/ playing twenty questions about roads etc etc which I didn’t mind until he was deliberately misunderstanding me and not allowing me to get anything right, he wanted exact lingo and generally wouldn’t let up. By the second lesson I had spent considerable time on the apps he had shown me (about a week between the two lessons) but this didn’t seem to change much. The foreshadowing red flags I had seen in the first lesson we’re in full swing. He told me that in this car he is right about everything, and he brought up his 30+ yr experience as if no else knows how to drive a car. I’m a learner and I’ve had lessons with an unreliable instructor before (scheduling issue and delays were the issue there) but this guy takes the cake for being very arrogant. He pulled me up at the side of the road, he said I muttered “no” or something when he asked me to turn in the left hand lane (even though I did it?) well, we went through a heated discussion for about 10 minutes. I wasn’t about to admit to something that I didn’t remember because I was trying to focus on the road but I did end up apologise if I had and repeatedly asked to continue on with the lesson that I was paying for and said that I trust his sodding experience. This wasn’t enough for him and for the rest of the drive, he was snarky, and quite loud. There was a moment where his yelling caused me to accidentally accelerate rather than break which has never happened to me before outside of my lessons with him (I believe this is a testament to the tense environment that my teacher created). At the end of the lesson, I was pretty much and decided that I would not be getting in a car, plane or any other mode of transport with this man, ever. I had never felt so defeated and so discouraged to drive before. He told me that I needed to know what a handbrake was and decided that this would be a good lecture. I explained to him that I obviously knew what a handbrake was, it was just that I had never physically used one until the last lesson and that before it was a different form (button) that I had used one. He wanted to argue semantics on something as simple as that and it was here I told him plainly that I believed he was deliberately misunderstanding (maybe as some sort of ego thing? Couldn’t say). He revealed to me that he tells off his nephew in the same way and it was then that confirmed to me the type of person that was teaching under AA. I have no time for bullies and considering it’s my dime and my time, I wasn’t about to book another lesson. This person wanted to lecture rather than be direct, straight to the point and advise (his one purpose that I hired AA for) I brought this up and left the car. I had just had a blood test so I wasn’t feeling great that day either, I left feeling deflated but determined to get a refund. Now, onto AA for the worst customer services that I’ve seen in a while. They have an online chat that you have to queue up for about 15 minutes to use. The people there won’t give you a straight answer and you’ll often need to leave and requeue. Immediately I requested a new instructor and relayed what was essentially the worst experience driving I’ve ever had. On their messaging system they told me that Steve was apparently the only one available on driving an automatic and that Trevor had left a voicemail message, when I asked them to relay the message they said I would need to check and requeue (aka another 15-20min wait) I asked for any other form of contact other than ridiculously queuing, an email or a phone number would’ve been easier but I was told no. The voicemail offered me a spot on BSM which initially seemed like a good replacement. It was only after waiting again that I was told that it costs £42.75 per hour and that I would need to pay £70.50 upfront. For what? Placement? Either way I’m no mug especially when they were not going to take these funds that I had already placed in my AA wallet. I asked for a refund right then and there.”

The AA Driving School 1 star review on 30th July 2022

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Shocking experience , booked a 10 hour block booking, on first 2 hour lesson instructor called me at time of lesson to cancel !! a bit of notice would have been appreciated. second booking waited for instructor to turn up, rang 10 mins after waiting no reply, kept ringing, 3 hours later managed to get through only to be told she never had lesson booked even though i sent her proof on AA app of confirmation!!! AA has a great reputation, don't know how and difficult to find a spokesperson to complain...have done so on their complaints dept but that will be brushed under the carpet !!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“I raised my initial complaint back in April 2022. The AA were unable to provide me with consistent lessons as my instructor was always on holiday. He failed to inform me in the beginning that he has regular holidays and for at least two weeks a month he was away. I am yet to receive an outcome of my complaint.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“advertised at £24 per hour, but my 19 year old granddaughter had a 2 hour lesson one hour the instructor spent arguing with her and called her a lier, when we cancelled was told he charged £34 per hour so lost money on refund be aware.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Three times in the run now the driving instructor has cancelled my lessons with very little notice. Tried to contact the AA but they won’t do telephone calls and the online service won’t get me anywhere. Very frustrating- wasting time and money.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Been learning with Abdulagafoor ifthikar..... and today he has cancelled all my lessons 8days before my test in Bletchley. I have tried phoning him to find out the reason why he has done this, but he doesn't answer ,I then message via WhatsApp & normal tex aswell but he doesn't reply. I joined AA in good faith believing that this is reputable company for learning. And I am totally shocked from the treatment I have received. I am totally disappointed and disgusted 😔 I believe this should be dealt with by the AA to find me a replacement instructor in time for my test. I have not even been given an explanation/phonecall from the AA driving school, explaining my shocking treatment How is this even fair ????”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Driver showed up half hour late, was parked around corner of my house which is 5 min walked and didn’t bother calling. I told him I was upset and he kicked me out of the car and told me the lesson is over. I tried to get in touch hairy AA for a refund but they are useless, no accountability over their employees”

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Posted 3 years ago

“my driving instructor was good at first however recently,since my test is closed he seems to me really negative , his pointing out mistakes that I do that he has never told me before previous to my test , Costantly reminding me that my driving is bad and I’m not test ready two days before my test . He takes fag brakes during my lessons which wastes my money and is really u professional , he made me fill up his car during my lesson because he said he hadn’t had the opportunity to fill it up yet , he should have done that in his own time rather then wasting my time to practice this close before my test . This instructor has just truly knocked my confidence in driving , he decided to point out mistakes a week before my test that he has never told me before and I’m only just hearing this now . If I fail my test I am definitely changing instructors and moving away from the AA company , waste of money and time .”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Awful experience. Spent over a 1.5k on lessons and when I finally found a test he said he was unavailable. Ridiculous. Would Not recommend AA driving school”

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Posted 3 years ago

“I paid 133 for the 4-hours lesson but they only topped up my account for 2 hours. They do not answer my phone calls and my emails. There is no one to talk to.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“The quality of the instructors is not good enough. I worked with 2 instructors from the company, the first one would not point all the errors in driving, too much chatting. I changed to another instructor who was charging 40 pounds an hour! her name was Minara bibi (Goodmayes area), she asked me to travel to goodmayes for every class, but charged me for the distance to my house address, which was a total rip off, when I pointed it out, she got super upset, but took her time to take revenge, she cancelled my test appointment 3 days before the final test!!! leaving me in a bad situation. With a 6 month waiting period for a new test, I had to go with a super expensive temporary car and a new instructor for the test. She also gaslighted me and told me that I would not pass the test, I passed the test with just 2 minors on a new car!!, I reported all this to AA driving with messages and my test pass certificate as a complaint. AA driving not only let me down by not arranging an alternative vehicle, they also ignored my multiple complaints and let the scam go on. I am sure Minara bibi is still scamming people with poor lessons, unreasonable demands and costs, undermining confidence and gaslighting their driving. Horrible experience. Take references from friends, never with AA.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Awful, that’s the word. Instructor stopped the lesson to smoke. Cancelled and changed lessons. Absorbed my 10 hours I drove 2 of them. No phone lines to call. I’ve been chasing my money back or a change of instructor for a month. Not had any call back, no real reply of any note. The worst service I’ve ever experienced. Instructor would not do pick up or drop off as was sent from a different area to me. Expected to travel to him. Ridiculous”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Manchester - AA absolutely appalling service. The first driving instructor's vehicle broke down during the second lesson I had to get an UBER back to the location. The second instructor canceled the lesson the same day due to illness. Then kept canceling in favor of other students. The lessons finally started consistently for five weeks sometime two lessons a week then they advise during a lesson I must look for another instructor because the pickup location is not convenient for them. The third instructor did not show up for two lessons and advised the AA that they did point-blank lying. I have a test booked in July 2022 I am no further along despite persevering with the company for seven months since November 2021. The customer service never responds to emails the online chat function is very often not available there are glitches in the system that give incorrect available hours and calculate refunds due @£8 per hour instead of the actual amount of £29 per hour. Advisors state that there isn't anything they can do because instructors are self-employed they always side with the view of the instructor instead of the facts or maintaining the balance of customer service with the student/client. There are many more issues I have experienced firsthand over several months all of which amount to poor inadequate lack of professionalism.”

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Posted 3 years ago

The AA Driving School is rated 4.0 based on 1,124 reviews