Is a small car better to learn to drive in than a larger one?

Pupils that are bothered about the size of their tuition vehicle are simply expressing a personal preference.

I have used a Daewoo Matiz, which is a very small car, as a tuition vehicle perfectly well and I now use a Daewoo Kalos which is only slightly smaller than a Ford Focus. The size of the vehicle is not the issue because you will get used to what you drive. The quality of the instruction is what you should be more concerned about.

There are several reasons why pupils ask us what sort of car they will be taught to drive in. Here are some of those reasons:-

• The car may be too large
  If one of us were to arrive in an estate car or a people carrier then I could understand your concern that maybe a more 'normal' sized car would be more suitable. The fact is that cars such as the Ford Focus or the Peugeot 307 are quite commonly used in the industry with no detramental effects for the pupils.
  
  
• The car may be too small
  I have previously used a Daewoo Matiz which is a pretty small car and I know that there are instructors at the moment who use the Vilkswagen Polo and the Suzuki Alto, both quite small cars. They have no shortage of pupils who are quite happy to drive them and pass their test.
  
  
• The car may be too old
  I can understand this one more. Our trade does knock a car about a bit. you do want your instructor to turn up in a car that is going to be reliable. Some schools have a policy of changing their cars every six months. I can think of no reason for this except than to brag about it. Such a replacement policy places excessive financial burdens on the instructors which of course have to be passed on to the pupils in the form of higher prices.
  
  
• Wanting to drive a particularly 'Nice' car
  There are some beauties around aren't there. I never cease to be amazed at the vehicles which I see used as driving school cars. I have no problem with the practicality of most of them at all. Again the main consideration is cost. Those 'Nice' cars cost a lot of money. You must expect to pay extra per hour to drive them. Someone has to pay the bill for the car. Guess who that is?
  
  
• Concern about the car being too powerful
  I do wonder sometimes at the point of some of the larger engined ones. Learners are expected to make mistakes. Do they really want someone to hit the gas pedal on a realy powerful motor at the wrong time? Suddenly by mistake in heavy traffic instead of the brake for example? Also I think it pays to remember that large engines have larger appetites for fuel. Fuel that you will be expected to pay for.
  
  

The points above are not intended to encourage you towards or discourage you from any particular type of car. There are vehicles out there being used for tuition purposes to suit all requirements. I think it is worth remembering though that your ambition is to learn to drive. It is expensive enough. If you really want to learn in the newest, fastest, or nicest cars in town then expect to pay extra.

Personally I would be more interested in the quality and reputation of the instructor and the package that is provided to help me learn to drive. As long as the vehicle is reasonably new so that comfort and maintenance are not an issue the type of vehicle is best left to the instructors preference. They have to sit in it all day.