Compare Driving Instructors
Find your best local match without the endless searching.
Frequently asked questions
Open a question for a clear answer, then use the linked guide for step-by-step instructions.
What is Compare Driving Instructors?
Compare Driving Instructors is an independent UK comparison platform. Learners can search and compare driving instructors and driving schools, while instructors can manage a profile and receive direct learner enquiries.
CDI does not take a commission from lesson fees. Any lesson booking or payment arrangement is agreed directly between the learner and the instructor or school.
How do I follow up on a support request?
Keep the reference beginning CDI- in the email subject. Reply from the same email address used on the support form so CDI can safely match the reply to the correct ticket.
You can also submit a new support form and quote the reference. Do not send passwords, payment card details or identity documents unless the support team has specifically requested a secure upload.
How do I contact technical support?
Open the support form, choose Technical support and include the page you were using, what you expected to happen and what happened instead.
If possible, add the browser and device. Signed-in users have their account role and profile reference attached automatically.
How do I claim an existing instructor listing?
Open the listing and select Claim this listing. CDI sends a secure claim link to the email held against that profile.
If you sign in with the same verified Google or email address, the claim can follow the fast verification route. Different-email claims require an ownership review.
Will an unclaimed profile receive learner enquiries?
Where CDI holds a usable professional email, an administrator may review and release a genuine learner enquiry. The email focuses on the learner opportunity and includes a separate option to claim the free profile.
The instructor can respond to that released enquiry through a secure link without first completing a full claim.
What if I cannot access the email on my listing?
Select I no longer have access to this email during the claim journey. Provide your current contact details, ADI or PDI information and any suitable evidence requested.
A different email cannot take ownership automatically. An administrator reviews the evidence before transferring control.
Why does profile completion matter?
Your completion dashboard shows what is still missing and the benefit of each action. Key details include teaching areas, transmission, lesson services, prices, availability and enquiry preferences.
Completion does not guarantee a particular ranking or number of enquiries, but it gives the platform better information for relevant searches and matches.
How are imported DVSA listings created?
The import process maps CSV fields, previews validation problems, checks possible duplicates and creates only approved unclaimed listings.
Imported records retain their source and batch history. Claim ownership is verified separately before dashboard access is granted.
How do I claim a driving school listing?
Open the school profile and choose Claim this listing. The fastest route uses the email stored on the school record.
If the email is outdated, submit an ownership request using a business email, website control, company information or other suitable evidence.
Can several people manage one driving school?
Each person should use their own account. Available roles separate ownership, administration, enquiry handling, profile editing and read-only access.
Remove access promptly when a staff member leaves. Do not share the owner password.
How do I invite staff to a driving school account?
Open the school dashboard and choose Team and access. Enter the person’s name and email address, choose the minimum role they need and send the invitation.
The invitation expires after seven days. Each person creates or uses their own secure login, so the school password should never be shared.
Can a school manage several instructors?
A driving school account can add or invite team members, maintain service areas and manage school-level information. Permission controls should be used so only authorised people can edit the school.
An instructor may also retain a separate individual profile where this accurately represents how they trade.
How do I search for a driving instructor?
Start at Find an instructor or use Match Me. Enter a town or postcode and choose the filters that matter to you.
Review the complete profile, prices, availability notes, services and verification information before sending an enquiry.
Can I use CDI without creating an account?
You can search, compare and send an enquiry without creating an account. CDI does not place account creation in front of the core enquiry journey.
A free learner account is useful when you want saved profiles, comparisons and enquiry history to follow you across supported devices.
Do I need a learner account to contact an instructor?
No. CDI keeps direct enquiries available without forcing account creation.
A free learner account is optional and useful when you want saved profiles, saved searches, comparisons and enquiry history to follow you across supported devices. If you create an account later, CDI can bring eligible information saved on your current device into the account.
How does CDI Match work?
CDI Match considers details such as area, transmission, lesson need, timing and preferences. It narrows the available profiles using information supplied by learners and profile owners.
A match is a comparison aid, not a guarantee of availability, compatibility, test outcome or lesson quality.
How do I compare driving instructors fairly?
Select at least two profiles and use the comparison page to review the same fields side by side. Confirm current prices and availability directly before booking.
A comparison is information, not a guarantee or endorsement. Ask about terms, cancellation policies and payment arrangements before sending money.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
You receive a confirmation that CDI has recorded the enquiry. A claimed profile that accepts enquiries can receive it automatically. Other enquiries may pass through platform checks before delivery.
When a response is sent through CDI, it appears in your learner account and is emailed to the address used for the enquiry.
What should I check before choosing an instructor?
Compare the practical details first: ADI or PDI status, transmission, collection area, lesson type, price and current availability. Then consider teaching style, experience and genuine reviews.
Ask questions before paying for a block. A profile badge should be read alongside the full information, not as a guarantee of results.
What is the CDI PWA app?
The CDI Progressive Web App provides an app-like experience without requiring a traditional app-store download. It can open full-screen, retain selected preferences and provide supported notifications.
Available features depend on the device, browser, account role and permissions you grant.
Why am I not receiving push notifications?
Open CDI notification settings and send a test notification where available. Check the browser or device site permissions and disable battery restrictions that stop background notifications.
Email remains the fallback for important transactional messages when push permission is unavailable.
How do I install CDI on an iPhone?
Open CDI in Safari, tap the Share button, scroll and choose Add to Home Screen. Confirm the name and tap Add.
Some iOS versions may show Open as Web App. Keep this enabled for the app-like experience.
How do I install CDI on Android?
Open CDI in Chrome or another supported browser. Use the CDI install prompt, or open the browser menu and choose Install app or Add to Home screen.
If the option is missing, update the browser and confirm you are not using private browsing.
How do I make a complaint?
Open Support, select Complaint and explain what happened, when it happened and the outcome you are seeking.
Include a profile, enquiry or ticket reference where relevant. Safety concerns should use the separate report a concern form.
Where should media enquiries be sent?
Select Media enquiry on the support form. Include your publication, deadline, subject and the type of comment or information required.
We do not guarantee that every request can be met, particularly where a same-day deadline is provided.
Can I ask CDI to correct or remove a listing?
Use the support form for factual corrections or removal requests. The team may ask for evidence before changing professional details or removing a profile.
Where you are the instructor or school owner, claiming the listing is usually the fastest way to control accurate information.
How can an organisation discuss a partnership or collaboration?
Use the partnership and collaboration form. Explain your organisation, the proposed activity, intended audience, expected outcome and any relevant timescale.
CDI reviews opportunities individually and does not imply endorsement before a written agreement is in place.
Why did an email not arrive?
Check spam, junk and promotions folders, then confirm the email address was entered correctly. Allow several minutes for delivery.
Request one new verification or reset email. Older secure links may be invalidated when a newer one is issued. If the message still does not arrive, contact technical support and include the email domain, not your password.
How do I report incorrect information or a concern?
For a factual listing correction, use the support form and select Listing correction. For a safety, conduct or safeguarding concern, use the dedicated report a concern form.
Provide enough information for the team to identify the relevant profile without publishing sensitive information publicly.
How is my personal information used?
CDI uses personal information to provide the service requested, secure accounts, manage listings and claims, route enquiries, answer support requests and meet legal obligations.
Read the current privacy policy for the categories of data, purposes, retention and individual rights.
How do I stop receiving enquiries?
Claimed instructors should open availability or enquiry settings and pause new requests. This preserves the profile while preventing unsuitable contact.
An unclaimed recipient can use the contact-preferences link in a CDI email to request no further enquiries, correct information or ask for removal.
How do I create lesson services?
Open Dashboard > Lesson services. Choose the lesson type, add the relevant transmission, price or package information and set whether you are currently taking enquiries.
Only publish services you currently provide. This reduces unsuitable enquiries.
Can CDI automatically merge duplicate profiles?
Strong signals such as a matching ADI number are reviewed alongside email, phone, postcode and website information. Similar names are not enough.
Any merge is field by field, logged and reversible through retained archive data. Reviews are not moved without confirmed ownership.
Does CDI take commission from my lesson fees?
CDI does not take a percentage of the lesson fee. Learners contact you directly and you retain control of your prices and payment arrangements.
Any optional paid products or future commercial services must be shown separately and transparently before purchase.
How are duplicate instructor profiles handled?
If a new account appears to match an imported listing, CDI may suggest claiming the existing profile or flag the records for review.
Users cannot merge profiles themselves. Admin reviews identity signals and selects which verified fields to retain. Reviews are not moved unless ownership is confirmed.
Can I pause enquiries without deleting my profile?
Open your dashboard and update availability or enquiry preferences. Where available, set the profile to not currently taking new learners.
Pausing enquiries is better than entering inaccurate availability. You can reactivate when capacity changes.
How do I assign an enquiry to a member of staff?
Open the school dashboard, choose Enquiries, select the request and use the assignment control available to your role.
Only staff with the required school access should see learner contact information. Publicly linked instructors do not automatically receive dashboard access.
What can each driving school staff role do?
Owner controls the school and ownership transfer. Administrator manages staff and most school settings. Enquiry manager handles learner enquiries. Profile editor maintains public profile information. Viewer has read-only access.
Permissions are checked for protected actions, and access should be removed promptly when someone leaves.
How should branches and service areas be represented?
Add branches only where they are genuine operating locations. Do not create duplicate school profiles solely to target extra towns.
Service areas should reflect where instructors actually collect learners. Accurate coverage supports more relevant searches and enquiries.
What happens when a school staff invitation expires?
Invitations expire after the period shown in the email. The recipient should not forward the link to another person.
If the invitation has expired, the school owner or administrator can issue a replacement from Team and access.
Does linking an instructor give them access to the school account?
No. Linking an instructor profile to a driving school helps describe the public relationship but does not grant dashboard access.
To give someone access, an owner or authorised administrator must send a staff invitation and choose an appropriate role.
How are school enquiries distributed?
New school enquiries appear in the school dashboard. An authorised user can review the learner requirement and assign or respond according to the school process.
Do not send learner details to instructors who do not need them. Keep access limited to the people handling the enquiry.
How is driving school ownership transferred?
Only the current primary owner can transfer ownership. The intended new owner must already be an accepted school staff member.
The current owner confirms their password and types the required transfer phrase. CDI then moves primary ownership, records the event and notifies the relevant people. Review the new owner carefully because this changes control of the school account.
Can an instructor and a school profile both exist?
An individual instructor profile and a driving school profile can both be legitimate. The school represents the organisation, while the instructor profile represents an individual.
CDI only merges records where administrators are satisfied they are duplicates of the same entity.
What follows me across devices with a learner account?
When you are signed in, CDI can store saved instructor or school profiles, saved searches, comparison choices and enquiry history linked to your verified email address.
Some temporary browser preferences may remain specific to the device. Sign in before saving or comparing when you want the information attached to your account.
Do I pay CDI to contact an instructor?
Learners can compare profiles and send enquiries without paying CDI a booking commission. Prices and payment arrangements are agreed directly with the instructor or school.
Always confirm the price, cancellation terms and lesson details before making payment.
Can I transfer guest activity into a learner account?
Yes. When you sign in or create a learner account on the same device, CDI attempts to move eligible saved profiles, comparison choices and enquiry receipts into the account.
An enquiry is linked only where the account email matches the email used for that enquiry. This prevents another person from importing your enquiry history.
How do I delete my learner account?
Sign in, open Account and choose the data and deletion controls. Confirm the request using the account email.
Some records may be retained where required for security, disputes, legal obligations or safeguarding. The privacy notice explains the applicable retention approach.
How do I reset my learner password?
Open Learner sign in and select Forgotten password?. Enter your email address and follow the secure link if an account exists.
The link expires after 60 minutes and can be used once. If you normally use Google, choose Continue with Google instead.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
Your enquiry is sent to the relevant profile owner. They may contact you to confirm availability, requirements, price and next steps.
CDI cannot guarantee a response or available place. Avoid sending sensitive documents through an initial enquiry.
Where can I see a reply to my enquiry?
Sign in to your learner account and open Enquiries. Replies sent through CDI appear beneath the relevant enquiry.
CDI also emails the reply to the address used for the enquiry. Instructors and schools may still choose to contact you directly by email, phone or WhatsApp, so check the contact method you selected.
How do I report a misleading profile or review?
Use Report a concern and provide the profile URL, the information you believe is inaccurate and any supporting context.
CDI may restrict or remove content while reviewing it. Do not publish allegations in a learner review where a private report is more appropriate.
Can I change the role shown in the CDI app?
Open Account or the workspace switcher. A learner view is available broadly, while instructor and school workspaces require the relevant account ownership or staff permission.
Changing the visible workspace does not grant access to another professional profile.
Why is CDI not listed in an app store?
CDI currently uses Progressive Web App technology. It is installed from the website rather than downloaded from an app store.
Use the official CDI domain and avoid third-party download pages claiming to provide an installation file.
How do I enable or stop app notifications?
Open CDI notification settings and choose the alerts you want. Your browser or device may also require notification permission.
To stop notifications, disable them in CDI or use the site permissions within your browser or device settings.
Can I change the role selected in the app?
Learners, instructors and school users see different app navigation. Once signed in, the account role controls the main interface.
If you manage more than one valid workspace, use the workspace switcher. Contact support if the wrong role has been attached to your account.
No matching answers found.
Try a shorter search or send the support team a message.