Training

Congratulations! By finding this website you are on the right road to Learning how to drive & passing your driving test in Galway. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking for a pre test course of lessons for your driving test in Galway. Advance Drive is the driving school for you, We will help you pass your driving test first time. Take a moment to read our customer Testimonials.

Advance Drive is Galway’s largest and most successful driving school with a pass rate second to none. The Advance Drive office was originally based in Salthill, but now has its main office in our state of the art transport training centre located in Ballybane Galway. We are the only driving school and training centre in the West of Ireland approved by the RSA to deliver ADI instructor training and to deliver driver training in every category of vehicle (A, A1, B, B, C1, C, CE, D1, D).
Advance Drive teaches beginners how to drive manual and automatic cars as well as providing driver training to professional drivers in such industries as The Fire Service, Ambulance Drivers – Paramedics / EMT’s, Coach & Minibus Drivers and Rigid & Artic Truck Drivers. Whatever the license category Advance Drive has you covered!

Advance Drive run weekly Driver CPC Training courses, Manual Handling courses, Digital Tachograph Training and provide information on ADR Driver Hazchem Training courses for professional drivers in Galway, Mayo and Westmeath.

Driver recruitment is another service offered to recently qualified and experienced drivers. We work with transport companies to place newly qualified drivers. Some commercial clients of Advance Drive include; The Department of Social Protection & Employment Services, Intreo, ETB’s Nationwide, An Post, The ESB, Galway City Council and Galway County Council.

Advance Drive guarantee to give the best possible training with Director of Advance Drive; Philip Rice being presented with the RSA’s ‘Leading Lights’ in road safety award for ‘ADI Truck Instructor of the year 2013’ & again in 2014, Advance Drive was also short listed and a finalist for the ‘Safety Award’ in the ‘Irish Logistics and Transport Awards 2014’.

Learning to drive is something that nearly every person will do in their lifetime. Getting the correct information and professional training from the start helps drivers to become safer, more competent drivers thus minimising risk to themselves and other vulnerable road users. Advance Drive will help you pass your driving test first time and provide you with all the information and guidance you need along the way.

For more information contact a member of our team on 091 524689 or email info@advancedrive.com

Click here to book a Course Now!

Philip Rice – ADI of the Year 2014 RSA Leading Lights awards

Philip Rice – ADI of the Year 2013 RSA Leading Lights awards

`Testimonials`

I have been a client of Advance drive since 2022. With the guidance of the very professional team at Advance Drive, I have passed my bus, rigid and artic driving tests and CPC tests.I could not recommend Advance drive highly enough, the instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and make the learning process very easy with the whole operation being expertly organised by Aoife. A special mention for Noel, Martin and Dezzie for all of their advice and guidance. Thanks to you all.
May 29, 2025

once again i have to complement all at advance drive ive just passed my bus test and got no marks this is down to dessie my instructor he went trough every little detail fully over and over again he is calm but misses nothing and is able to push you to your best he is a true professional this is my second time with dessie he got me trough the artic as well i will highly recomend advance drive to anyone thinking of doing driving lessons they take you on board as an individual and work with your needs to get you through regis golding
July 13, 2020galway

My driving lessons were disrupted by the recent health crisis, but once I joined up with Advance Drive and my instructor Martin, I flew through my remaining EDT's. Martin was a fantastic instructor and made me feel very comfortable getting back to driving as I was quite nervous. After a few lessons with him, my confidence grew leaps and bounds and with just three extra lessons after the essential ones, I passed my test the first time! I would highly recommend Martin and Advance Drive to anyone no matter where you are on your driving journey. Thanks so much Martin, couldn't have done it without you!!
April 28, 2023Galway

Mid 40s and passed my test first time, now I can drive my 9mth old baby myself. Thanks to Martin teaching me while I was heavily pregnant and after I had the baby, his infinite patience and tolerance kept me going. Thanks to Corey for my lessons nearing test time, a kinder man you could not meet, super with "how to's" that I could understand. Carla was so good at accomodating me while on maternity leave, juggling a newborn and lessons. Thanks team Advance drive. Kate
July 18, 2023Galway city

I was Delighted to pass my Category D Bus test on my first attempt yesterday Thanks to all the guys at Advance Drive, they are a very professional set up and I couldn’t recommend them enough . I have to give a special mention to Gerry who was my instructor, Gerry is a professional who knows his job inside out and gives great confidence and self belief, he is also good fun and gives a relaxed feel to the whole experience, I think I will be hearing “Mind that tail swing and mirror mirror” in my sleep for the next ten years! Thanks also to Aoife, Alilbhe and Emma in the office who were always very helpful when I was looking for any information. Overall I would highly recommend Advance Drive to anyone wishing to learn to drive or add a new category to their license.
March 3, 2022Galway

Today I achieved a big dream—I passed my Category C driving test! 🚛🎉 I would like to sincerely thank the entire team at my driving school for their professionalism, patience, support, and dedication throughout this journey. You played an important part in helping me achieve this milestone. I’m truly grateful for every lesson, every piece of advice, and all the encouragement you gave me. This is the beginning of a new chapter, and I’ll always appreciate everything I learned with you. Thank you so much! Wishing you continued success in helping many more people achieve their dreams. #Grateful #CategoryC #TruckDriver #NewBeginning #Ireland
June 26, 2026

I have just completed my "C" Truck Licence and passed on the first attempt, thanks to PJ Dunne who is a phenomenal Truck Driving Instructor: Also I had great support and assistance in preparing for my CPC practical. The structure of the lessons are second to none. I really like the fact that I had a pre test hour before my test on the day, which prepared me well and settled my nerves ! I cant thank PJ enough, and the Advance team, who were extremely accommodating when booking my lessons, which often had to be re-scheduled due to my work load. I will be preparing to commit to my D licence in the Autumn with the Advance Team in Galway. Many thanks to all. Sass O Flynn
July 19, 2022Galway

Hi All, I just want to thank Dezzie and all the team at Advance Drive for helping me pass my Class B driving test last Monday in Westside Galway. Overall, I did 17 lessons with Dezzie in the Ford Fiesta and I found him to be extremely friendly, professional and knowledgeable at all times, and I can definitely say that he has the patience of a saint. As such, I can't recommend Advance Drive enough and I know that I would not have passed my driving test first time round without Dezzie's expert help. Thanks a million Dezzie.
April 30, 2014Brendan Kelly

Thanks a million to all at Advance. I've just completed a hat-trick of Rigid, Bus and Artic tests and it's all thanks to your team. I've learned a lot, made new friends and had great craic in 2024 thanks to Advance - and not forgetting Patricia and all at GRETB. Everyone involved was professional and courteous but more importantly, very helpful and supportive. The instructors all had great patience and skill - and above all, a sense of humour (and they certainly needed that at times!). And the back-room team were always a pleasure to deal with - very efficient. Phillip and Ailbhe, ye have a great team there - keep doing what ye're doing. And put me on the waiting list for next year's Sikorsky 101 course - although I'm dreading the hill-start!
November 20, 2024East Galway

The in-house staff at advanced drive are very helpful, friendly and went out of their way to help me with any queries I had. Even if they did not have the answer at hand, they made sure to phone me back with the answer. It is a very professional and welcoming environment and despite the course being 3 months, it felt like 3 weeks. My instructor, Gerry Burke was a fantastic instructor. He was friendly, banterful yet firm and professional. We worked on the practical aspects of the bus course rigorously all while smiling and joking, and this ultimately made the test itself a breeze.
June 2, 2022Galway

I'd like to thank all at Advance drive for there constant support and guidance on completing the HGV, rigid truck course through GRETB, and Advance drive. Thanks to the front office team Aoife and Co. Thanks to Philip and Gerry and all the team excellent job great company all round and Thanks to all the forklift instructor's Mark and Tom. And especially to my driving instructors Martin and Dessie and a big Thanks to Dessie for getting me over the line with your relaxed informed composure and clear instructions throughout my last few lessons big shout to Dessie, Thanks a million. And a huge thanks to my instructor Mike for the hour lesson before my test he made me totally relaxed and gave me great confidence, a true Gentlemen and a great Ambassador for Advance drive. Kind regards To all at Advance drive. Highly recommended Conor Walsh
May 20, 2025Dunmore Co Galway

Passed my category D bus driving test first time with a clean sheet. This was thanks to my instructor Gerry B's fantastic training and guidance. Gerry guided me from complete novice to competent driver and did it with patience, professionalism and good humour. I always felt comfortable and in good hands throughout my training. Fantastic trainer, great knowledge and a genuinely nice guy. The ladies in the office were also very helpful and accommodating. Definitely recommend Advanced Drive to anyone looking to aquire their licence.
August 2, 2022Galway City

i cant say enough good things about advance drive all there staff are excellent i now have my rigid and artic licence and 3 types of fork lifts and safe pass and all instructors were top class they have a no nonsense approach they push you when needed for your own good to get you as good as possible for your test aoife is excellent at her job. , friendly and knows all the info you need straight off vincent was my instructor for the rigid and got me through first time tops class dessie was my instructor for the artic he doesnt miss a thing but thats good he got me trough first time deserves a medal thanks to gerry and philip for all the guidance and putting me on the right path this company is not all about talking money of you its about you getting through the test and i felt this from the first phone call many thanks to all involved best regards regis golding
July 4, 2020galway and roscommon

Passed my D class bus licence test this week. I 'm convinced that it was down to the very professional team of people at Advanced Drive in Galway that I did so well in every aspect of the training. The training is both relaxed and very professional in the delivery. You find your self all of a sudden in about week 5 or 6 of the 10 week course having a very good understanding of what is required as a professional bus driver. Even more surprising you will be driving a D class Bus around Galway and Oranmore like it was your daily drive. That really impressed me! I would like to say a very warm and grateful thank you to all the talented team at Advance Drive, long may you continue. J Bennis, Bus driver..... If you are considering a career driving or just want to start with your Car licence, do not put it off or worry about your ability. The fantastic team of people at Advance Drive Galway will prepare you and your confidence to succeed what ever you want to achieve. And the very best of good luck to you. Thank you, I enjoyed every minute of my training with Advance Drive.
November 17, 2022Clare

JUST PASSED MY BUS TEST TODAY,THANKS TO EVERYONE AT ADVANCED DRIVE FROM THE OFFICE STAFF TO INSTRUCTORS WELL DONE TO EVERYONE AND TO MY EXCEPTIONAL INSTRUCTOR ,LEE WHO HAD THE PATIENCE ,PRESERVERNCE,AND EXCEPTIONAL INTUITION IN GETTING ME TO MANAGE A BUS ,ITS A JOURNEY THAT I THOURGHLY ENJOYED AND LEARNED SO MUCH .IF ANYONE HAS AN INTEREST IN BECOMMING A BUS DRIVER I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADVANCE DRIVE FOR PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION ,GREAT POSITIVE FEEDBACK ,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO MANAGE A BUS SAFELY.THIS IS A SKILL YOU WILL HAVE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE,SO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE LIKE I DID ,"ITS NOT THE TEST THAT WAS THE MAIN GOAL BUT THE JOURNEY ALONG THE WAY IN GETTING TO THE END GOAL WHICH IS TO PASS YOUR TEST,I THINK THAT THE EXPERIENCES ALONG THE WAY ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS PASSING YOUR TEST. I DO WISH YOU THE BEST IF YOU INTEND TAKING BUS LESSONS AGAIN I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADVANCE DRIVE ,GALWAY FOR ALL INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS,THEY ARE SIMPLY A CLASS ABOVE THE REST !AND ALWAYS REMEMBER ..........THAT A BUS IS 5 TIMES BIGGER THEREFORE 5 TIMES SLOWER!!!!!!!!!! EUGE FLYNN FEBURARY 1ST/2021
February 3, 2021TUAM

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