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The AA Driving School Reviews

4.1 Rating 1,389 Reviews
77 %
of reviewers recommend The AA Driving School
4.1
Based on 1,389 reviews
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods
Postal Service
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In
Under An Hour
Read The AA Driving School Reviews
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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 25th June 2026
Jeffery
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 24th June 2026
Kehinde
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 14th March 2026
Arnold
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 7th March 2026
Anonymous
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 6th March 2026
Carmen
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 21st February 2026
Anonymous
The AA Driving School 5 star review on 20th February 2026
Anonymous
250
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
Bad instructor, had to change due to him shouting
Helpful Report
Posted 1 week ago
Avoid the AA/BSM driving instructor franchise - I am an AA driving instructor, but I am only continuing with the AA, given I am under a contract that is very much in the favour of the AA, meaning I can't leave. Although I am a customer of the AA as a franchisee, they do not treat me like a customer, with all policies favouring the AA. Even when a fine is picked up, they charge a signifcant administration fee and take the fine out of your income, giving you no chance to defend yourself. This is just one of so many unfair situations the AA put you in as a driving instructor. My recommendation to anyone looking to be a driving instructor - avoid the AA and BSM, which is one of the same. In hindsight, I should have gone down the private route and avoided the PDI route altogether with a franchise, or get another private ADI to sponsor me so I could earn while I learn. The online and practical training is largely terrible. Please be aware that the pink PDI licence is unlikely to last long enough for you to take your ADI part three, if you take more than one attempt to pass. This is something the AA don't make clear.
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Posted 3 weeks ago
Had 6 lessons 3 of which were cancelled, one 30 minutes after it was supposed to start, and for the remaining 3 the instructor was significantly late. Spent the 3 lessons that actually took place doing circuits round a housing estate in 1st gear.
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Posted 1 month ago
What a waste of money, the driver asking personal details and aggressive when talking
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Posted 1 month ago
I paid £800 up front. I was 18 so this was a lot of money. I had 4 lessons, but the teacher wouldn’t allow me to be behind the wheel because I ‘wasn’t ready’. I mentioned this to friends and they told me this was not normal. The teacher made me feel on edge and unsafe. He said that he was an ex police man and told me weird stories like if I press the button on a road crossing that the police were tracking my finger prints and would know my whereabouts. So weird. I reported this to AA, who told me it’s nothing to do with them. They don’t provide lessons, they only facilitate the lessons and take a cut. Therefore I couldn’t get my money back, or change to another teacher. Awful experience. Taking advantage of young people and taking Zero responsibility for their welfare. They wouldn’t give me a refund.
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Posted 1 month ago
Unexplained attitude from the instructors .. it happened 2 times that the instructor cancel my sessions and remove me from the system without any kind of discussion!! I don't recommend!
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Posted 2 months ago
Sons first lesson booked with Steven Roberts. He pulled up in an area not visible to my home. Waited 15 minutes, and left. Didn't call or message that he had arrived. Unprofessional and cruel
Helpful Report
Posted 2 months ago
I used AA Driving School between November 2025 and April 2026. My experience was significantly affected by issues with an assigned instructor, and although AA eventually provided a financial resolution, the overall situation caused substantial disruption over a prolonged period. The most serious issue was that I was repeatedly asked to make additional “top-up” payments outside of the AA booking system for lessons that had already been prepaid at an agreed rate. These requests were made both in person and via written messages. I later raised this formally with AA, who confirmed in writing that no additional payments should have been requested and that prepaid lessons should have been honoured at the agreed rate. I also experienced repeated short-notice cancellations, including cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as occasions where there was little or no communication regarding scheduled lessons. This created ongoing uncertainty about whether lessons would proceed. During lessons themselves, I had concerns about the consistency and professionalism of instruction. This included limited engagement during some lessons and instances where the instructor was using their mobile phone while I was driving, which I found distracting and concerning as a learner. As my practical test approached, previously discussed support for the test was withdrawn, which required me to arrange an alternative vehicle and preparation at short notice. By that stage, I had already structured my learning around those arrangements. I also encountered an issue with AA’s booking system. I had been informed that a price increase would take effect from 1 March 2026, but when I attempted to purchase additional lessons on 27 February 2026, the higher rate had already been applied. This prevented me from securing further lessons at the previously stated price. After a lengthy complaints process, AA confirmed that the instructor’s handling of pricing was not in line with their expectations. They refunded my unused lesson balance and made an additional goodwill payment in recognition of the disruption and inconvenience caused. While I acknowledge that AA ultimately provided a financial resolution, the complaint handling process was slow, required repeated follow-up, and several substantive points were never fully addressed. No suitable replacement instructor was identified locally, which compounded the impact given the proximity of my test. Based on my experience, I would strongly advise learners to keep detailed records of all bookings, prices, and communications, and to ensure that all payments and arrangements are kept strictly within the official platform.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 months ago
If I could give it no stars I would. this frist lesson i booked for my 17 year old was cancelled by email a few minutes passed midnight on the day. The next was a no show and the instructor did not answer his mobile phone, the only way to contact the AA was through an online chat which I did. They also tried to contact the instructor but had no response. on the system it showed that the lesson had been rescheduled for an hour later. Again the instructor failed to show up. Another long online "chat" and I was no further forward other than they would respond in 48 hours. I have received no response. The only way I can get a ull refund ids through the account however the lesson on 7 April is shown as having happened. There is no phone number to call and speak to a person. I am now engaged with another online chat to try and get it sorted so I can get my money back and find a reliable instructor. The AA's answer is that they are self employed. I expected more from the AA.
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Posted 2 months ago
My driving instructor didn't turn up for the lesson. I contacted him and he didn't reply. I can't find anyone to help me sit my test now...
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Posted 3 months ago
I was driving round the Fox Hollies roundabout and was cut up by the driving instructor with the number plate AJ62 CSV driving a black Peugeot. Dangerous driving! Bad example for a driving instructor to set!
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Posted 3 months ago
AA driving school unfortunately was a terrible experience. It is expensive and a good name so i expected quality for my son , but this was not the case. The first instructor did not teach basic things like looking in your mirrors and seemed to spend most of the time eating and not doing manoeuvres. He then told my son he was ready for his test when he was not , which we only found as he went into hospital so we had to swap to another instructor who said he was not ready at all. Had to then put back his test too last minute to get my money back and had a huge problem getting another test for ages. Overall terrible. Have complained but after one initial reply they have not responded to my emails. Do not use them.
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Posted 3 months ago
I was having driving lessons for over a year that was all fine,then after Christmas my driving instructor kept cancelling my lessons,she knew I had a test coming up in March,didn't even put me in touch with another instructor,so not a very good service at all,would not recommend the AA.
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Posted 4 months ago
Awful customer service, no means of contacting by phone (very restrictive hours) last minute cancellation of first lessons, instructor rude, defensive and aggressive. Had to get a refund
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Posted 4 months ago
Stay away. They ruin your day and don’t even show up for appointments.
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Posted 4 months ago
Review / Complaint I am extremely disappointed with the level of professionalism and reliability shown by this driving school. My daughter began lessons in March with instructor Samantha Ashley. A driving test was successfully booked for December, and once the test date was confirmed, Samantha acknowledged it, recorded it in her diary, and allowed my daughter to book lessons in advance. Without warning or explanation, Samantha later cancelled a scheduled lesson and informed my daughter that she should find another instructor, stating she was no longer available. This was completely unacceptable, especially given that the test date had been known for months and no concerns about my daughter’s progress had ever been raised during this time. When I contacted Samantha to ask for an explanation, I was told my daughter had not had enough lessons. This made no sense, as there were still over two months remaining before the test date and ample opportunity to schedule additional lessons. At no point were we advised of any concerns, given a progress update, or offered the option of postponing the test if necessary. I then arranged lessons with another instructor, Ms Kaukab J Mirza, but unfortunately this experience was equally poor. She allowed my daughter to book lessons and then cancelled, stating she was on holiday. Despite being fully aware of my daughter’s test date, she later said she could no longer fit her in for lessons. This caused further disruption and stress at a crucial time. Additionally, her conduct was unprofessional. On one occasion, she sprayed the seat my daughter had been sitting on immediately after she exited the vehicle, which I found inappropriate and unnecessary. This instructor also repeatedly pressured us into booking more lessons than were needed, despite my daughter being test-ready. After I decided to move my daughter to another company, I was repeatedly contacted with messages suggesting she take her test in our own car and screenshots of DVLA guidelines, implying a mandatory minimum of 20–40 lessons. These guidelines are not compulsory, and learning ability varies from student to student. My son passed his test with 13 lessons, which demonstrates that a blanket approach is inappropriate. The repeated messages became excessive and made me feel harassed, to the point where I had to block further contact. Thankfully, I have since found a professional and reliable driving school for my daughter. I only wish I had done so sooner. Based on our experience, I would strongly caution anyone considering this company. There appears to be a strong focus on maximising lesson numbers rather than assessing individual ability or providing consistent, professional support. I would advise others to carefully consider alternative driving schools before committing.
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Posted 5 months ago
Prevent learn from this AA driving school at all cost: The instructor tech me for 15 lession , then stop teaching, gave me 1 lessons each time only, when I book2, then let me drive on the other day, he owned me 1 lesson, until I complained to the company. Don't trust this school
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Posted 6 months ago
Got my daughter to start her lessons with aa , and what a waste of money , her instructor jalal in walsall was shockingly useless , my daughter had 20 lessons and all she did was go round in circles, never drove home or pulled off from the house , when I asked what's going on he said , shes not confident enough yet , after 20 lesson ??? So I got her with bsm , and first lesson he took her on islands , doing right turns and tried parking ,and she even drove back home , instructor said he didn't understand why she wasnt allowed to do what she did with him , my reply was he was robbing us blind. So avoid aa at all costs and go with others
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Posted 6 months ago
The instructor was very rude and smelled really bad. He also made me stop for petrol 20 minutes into mu lesson. Avoid AA it's obviously a scam, they don't vet their instructors and only want to sell you more sessions.
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Posted 6 months ago
Worse company do to driving lessons with and I truly recommend to avoid this instructor called EMMA FIDGETT as she always tends to cancel the lesson and reschedule, always be late and have a smoke break between the 2 hour lesson, and to me she would waste about 30 minutes of my 2 hours lesson which isn't fair. One day when I had a lesson I waited outside for almost half an hour and in the end she did not show up. I contacted the company about this the same day and told them how I've been waiting and how she s always been late and wasting my time, then when I made the complaint they made me wait for a response back as the company had to talk to her about it as well and I NEVER got a response back from them I HAD to contact them about it and ask for an update, as they completely forgot . And when I called them I explained to the lady I got transferred to that I've been waiting for a response back and told her my issue again she then said that there is a note on my account says that the instructor replied , saying that she had to wait about 20 something minutes but I didn't show up so she just left. The lady on the phone then said she can't do anything and will transfer me to the complaint team which I had to wait over 3 weeks to get a call back from them. I answered I told them how I want my money back from that one lesson and how it isnt fair what happened to me, then they said again that they can't do anything as the instructor doesn't want to refund me the money. Took soo long to get an answer back just for them to say that they cant help😀. I also mentioned to them how I have cameras outside the house and will send them as proof that the instructor never showed up but again they said they couldn't do anything about. Yeah so honestly this is the worse company to ever have driving lessons with, and the people that are supposed 'try to help' not doing anything and is taking weeks for a response from them. Just avoid it at all costs
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Posted 6 months ago
The AA Driving School is rated 4.1 based on 1,389 reviews