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 passed my driving test (car) first time. I can not thank Advance Driving enough , i started my lessons with corey , and i finished my lessons with Declan. I highly recommend Declan as a driving instructor. Declan will always encourage you and support you along the way. He will make your driving experience enjoyable. Dont worry about making mistakes ,Declan is very experienced and highly skilled, you are in safe hands. Great tip : Do a lesson before the test or do a pretest or both, it helped me hugely. I would like to thank everyone at Advance Driving . The women in the office are so lovely and so pleasant to talk too that they will always do their best to accommodate ya and all the staff are very friendly. I promise you won't be disappointed doing your lessons with Advance Driving, it was worth every penny. 💯
October 26, 2023Galway

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 went to Advance Drive for mini bus lessons and thankfully passed my test last Tuesday. I got held up on taking my test as Covid just came in when I had started with the lessons. I found Mike in the earlier lessons I took to be very good & helpfull and in the last few lessons I took with Gerry Burke I found him also very good & helpfull. I would strongly recommend them both if you want to sign up with Advance Drive. Aoife on reception is most helpfull in scheduling your lessons.
April 5, 2022Galway

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

The Team at Advance drive are a 1st class team from the moment you enter the premises to every detail of your lesson. Everything is covered and perfected to make your driving lesson experience a easy an enjoyable way to learn to drive and successfully pass your test. The instructors are experienced and know exactly how to deal with every driver. From the unexperienced 1st time driver to the experienced professional driver. They will bring you through to successfully pass your test. I have experience with Advance for almost 20 years and have successfully passed all my driving test 1st time with Advance drive . Bus and Rigid. Next up Artic lessons and I am confident that Advance drive will get me successfully through this test also. Well done all at Advance drive
March 9, 2021Galway

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Advance Training Centre for their outstanding professionalism and support throughout my journey. They trained me to the highest standards and helped me successfully obtain my Category C and CE truck licences, and now my Category D bus licence. From day one, the instructors were patient, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to helping me succeed. Their guidance gave me the confidence and skills I needed, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the effort they put into every lesson. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me. I genuinely appreciate your hard work, encouragement, and professionalism. I couldn’t have asked for a better training centre! Highly recommended to anyone who wants top-quality training and real support on their licensing journey.
December 4, 2025Galway

Just passed my D1 (minibus) test and CPC today on my FIRST attempt. My instructor Anton was very professional through the whole process and can't credit him enough on having me prepared, he is a great instructor and made the process very smooth and enjoyable. The team in the office were very supportive in assisting with the application process from Theory test to Driving test. I'd happily recommend Advance Drive for anyone who is looking to learn drive any vehicle.
September 3, 2021Athlone

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

I passed my rigid test previously with Advance Drive and yesterday my jeep and trailer test, both on the first time, thanks to the great team at Advance Drive. All the staff are friendly, helpful and professional. Dezzie and Noel are great instructors. They keep everything calm and relaxed, whilst having a great way of helping you learn and correct any bad habits you may have picked up. Would highly recommend Advance Drive for anyone looking to pass a test. Keep up the great work
August 31, 2021Galway

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

I cannot reccomend Advance Drive enough for new drivers! After failing the test three times with other instructors I had lost all confidence in my driving abilities. And became a very nervous driver. I then went to Advance Drive where Noel became my new instructor. Noel changed my whole perspective on driving and the nerves went away. He's so patient and understanding and I found the lessons to be fun and enjoyable in comparison to other driving schools in Galway. 10/10 for Noel & Advanced drive, could not reccomend enough! Definitely the reason for me passing my test!
September 4, 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

I'd like to thank the wonderful team at Advance Drive and GRETB for the excellent instruction over the past 10 weeks. The tuition was second to none. A special shoutout to the ever-parient and expert instructor, Mike, for his valuable help to ensure I passed my driving test to get the Category D licence. The result of a PASS is a testament of the service, the training, the appointments, and professionalism provided. I'd also like to give a special mention to my fellow students because the support and camaraderie was exceptional. Thank you!
December 2, 2024Loughrea

I am totally new to commercial driving and have found that Pat was a very patient and informative instructor. I learnt a great deal and he helped me through to passing my mini-bus driving test. The staff in the office are always helpful and respond quickly at the end of the phone. They are really flexible, very helpful and will help you through the whole learning process. I highly recommend Advance Drive as a very professional service which can help you through what maybe a new process to you. Thank you for helping me pass.
November 14, 2025Carraroe

"I just passed my driving test today, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of Pat and Lee at Advance Drive Galway! From the very first lesson, their professionalism, expertise, and patience made me feel at ease behind the wheel. They took the time to explain every detail, ensuring I fully understood the rules of the road while building my confidence step by step. I truly appreciate their dedication to my success and how they tailored each lesson to my needs. If you’re looking for top-notch driving instruction, I highly recommend Advanced Drive Galway! Thanks again, to my instructors Pat and Lee, for everything – I couldn't be more grateful!" I would also like to thank Aoife front of house for her professionalism in arranging all lessons and tests much Appreciated. Thank you All!
January 10, 2025Clifden

Advance drive team very Professional team When I meet this team first I had nothing only only car licence and now have bus and rigid lorry licence all thanks to Advance team Where I do I start I first met Philip and Ailbhe in Althlone when I went for my bus licence very Professional at the job . I went for my Rigid Lorry license went to galway to do it I met rest of the team very Professional staff Aoife and Emma are on front desk when walk in door u are Greeted with a smile All driving Instructor very professional. Their is no mark to grade the advance drive team very Professional and always go above the job to make fell comfortable to get your licence.
January 27, 2022Co Clare

It being almost 43 years since I did my last driving test, I was a little nervous and apprehensive at doing the bus driving course and test especially as I'm now in my early 60's. I should not have worried, the instructors both in practical driving and theory were excellent. Knowledgeable, patient, encouraging as well as being precise and constructive in their feedback. Passing the driving test and CPC, has been a most satisfying adventure, for which I would recommend Advance Drive to anyone contemplating driving.
February 18, 2026Galway

To Phillip , Gerry and all the crew in Advance Drive, thanks for all your help and encouragement in making sure I passed my Bus driving test and gaining my C P C card. To Vincent who gave me my driving lessons, Ronald and Tom who did our case study and C P C modules, Evelyn who helped us with Career planning, Maddie who did the First Responder course, Mike who did my pre test run and Gerry who was with me during my C P C practical Thanks for all your help. Regards Mike Burke
June 21, 2022Monivea

You can't go wrong with Choosing Advance Drive The entire Team are so helpful and will do their best to get you where you need to go. I recently passed my Artic Licence first go and it's all thanks to Noel my instructor he is incredibly patent and will explain everything in great detail and knows excatly how to guide ya through the process and he is also great craic most fun I had while learning also he has a great way of making it feel so chill and relax. If you are considering a company for HGV licence you won't find much better. Thanks again Noel and all the team in Advance
April 20, 2023Galway

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