Question 1

What is DriveBuddy?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy is a marketplace that connects learner drivers with approved driving instructors (ADIs). Learners can find an instructor, book lessons and pay in the app. Instructors get tools to manage their diary, students and payments in one place.

Question 2

Who is DriveBuddy for?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy is for learner drivers who are looking for an instructor, and for approved driving instructors who want to find students and run their lessons more easily. It's designed to be simple to use whether you're booking your first lesson or managing a full diary.

Question 3

Where is DriveBuddy available?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy is launching in the UK, with plans to expand across Europe. We'll update this page as we open up new areas.

Question 4

Is DriveBuddy free to use?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy is free for learners to join and use. You only pay for your lessons and any lesson bundles, and instructors set those prices themselves. A service fee is charged on bookings: 8% for 1-2 lessons, 6.5% for 3-9 lessons and 5% for 10 or more, with a £2 minimum on single lessons. The fee is shown before you pay. Instructors pay £10 a month to use the app's features.

Question 5

Which devices does it work on?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy launches on both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices. You'll be able to download it from the App Store or Google Play.

Question 6

How do I find a driving instructor on DriveBuddy?

Accepted Answer

Browse instructors in the app, look at their profiles and availability, and choose one that suits you. Every instructor on DriveBuddy goes through a verification check before they're approved. You can search for instructors by area.

Question 7

How do I book, reschedule or cancel a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Choose an available time in your instructor's diary and confirm your booking in the app. To reschedule, tap your booked lesson and follow the rescheduling steps. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before your lesson. After that, no-shows are still charged at 60% of the lesson cost. A service fee also applies to bookings.

Question 8

How do I pay for lessons, and is it secure?

Accepted Answer

Payments are handled by Stripe, a widely used and trusted payment provider. DriveBuddy doesn't store your card details. They're collected and held securely by Stripe. Your instructor can receive payment for a lesson once you've confirmed it took place.

Question 9

Can I buy lessons in a block?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Instructors can offer lesson bundles, set at a number of lessons they choose and a price they set. You pay for the bundle in one payment, then book your lessons through the normal booking process. You won't be charged again until all the lessons in your bundle have been used. Not every instructor offers bundles, so check your instructor's page.

Question 10

Can I track my progress between lessons?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the app you can read notes from your instructor and look back over your past lessons. You can also check your Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) driving progression, which is set and updated by your instructor.

Question 11

What is Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and how does DriveBuddy support it?

Accepted Answer

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) is Northern Ireland's phased approach to driver licensing, which began on 1 October 2026 for anyone whose provisional entitlement started on or after that date. Learners must hold their provisional entitlement for at least six months before taking the practical test, and must complete a Programme of Training that is recorded in a Logbook and signed off by an approved instructor or supervising driver. After passing, the new driver period is 24 months instead of 12, and for the first six months drivers under 24 face night-time passenger limits. Some exemptions and transitional arrangements apply, so check nidirect.gov.uk for your own situation. DriveBuddy lets your instructor set and update your GDL driving progression, which you can check in the app. DriveBuddy is not an official DVA service.

Question 12

Can I leave a review for my instructor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you're enrolled with an instructor and have completed at least one lesson with them, you can leave a review on their instructor page.

Question 13

Can parents or guardians see my lesson information?

Accepted Answer

Not at the moment. Parent or guardian access isn't supported yet, so your lesson information is visible only to you and your instructor.

Question 14

Can PDIs (trainee instructors) use DriveBuddy as well as fully qualified ADIs?

Accepted Answer

DriveBuddy is currently open to approved driving instructors (ADIs) only. We plan to introduce support for trainee instructors (PDIs) in the future.

Question 15

How are instructors verified?

Accepted Answer

Instructors upload a photo of their ADI certificate, which we review before approving their account. They also complete identity verification through Stripe. Approval usually takes up to 5 working days.

Question 16

How do I set up my instructor profile and licence details?

Accepted Answer

Create your instructor account, add your profile details and upload your ADI certificate for review. You'll also complete Stripe's identity verification so you can receive payments.

Question 17

How do I manage my diary and student list?

Accepted Answer

Your diary and student list sit together in the instructor app, so you can see upcoming lessons and the learners you teach in one place. You can set your availability, block out time and add notes on your students.

Question 18

Can I take payments and track income through DriveBuddy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you set your own lesson prices, and payments are processed by Stripe. Once a learner confirms a lesson took place, you can request your payout straight away. The app also keeps a history of your payments, and you can export income statements.

Question 19

Can I choose whether I appear in the instructor directory?

Accepted Answer

No. Every approved instructor is listed in the directory, so it isn't currently possible to opt out.

Question 20

How do I record and sign off student progress?

Accepted Answer

You can add notes after lessons and set your students' GDL driving progression in the app, and your learners can see both. DriveBuddy doesn't currently provide digital sign-off for the official GDL Logbook, so keep recording and signing off Programme of Training modules in the Logbook itself.

Question 21

Can I message students in the app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Instructors and learners can send each other messages and images in the app, though files can't be sent. There's also a group chat for all learners enrolled with an instructor, which is useful for announcements and updates.

Question 22

How do I switch over from my current system or paper records?

Accepted Answer

Invite your existing learners to DriveBuddy, then add their lessons manually until you're fully set up. This lets you move across at your own pace without losing track of your current students.

Question 23

How is my personal data protected?

Accepted Answer

We only collect the information we need to run DriveBuddy, and we take protecting it seriously. Card payments are processed by Stripe, and DriveBuddy doesn't store your card details. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and access to it is restricted by role.

Question 24

Who can see my lesson records and messages?

Accepted Answer

Your lesson records and one-to-one messages are visible only to you and your instructor. Messages in an instructor's group chat are visible to the learners enrolled with that instructor. DriveBuddy staff may access records where needed for support or safety reasons.

Question 25

How do I delete my account and data?

Accepted Answer

You can delete your account and data in the app. After you request deletion there's a 30-day grace period, and then your account and data are deleted.

Question 26

How do I contact DriveBuddy?

Accepted Answer

You can email us at info@drivebuddy.uk, or schedule a call with us from the DriveBuddy landing page. You can also message us on Instagram at @drivebuddyuk.

Question 27

How do I report a problem with an instructor or student?

Accepted Answer

You can email us at info@drivebuddy.uk, or use the report feature on any instructor or learner profile. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services first.

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