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`

Today i passed the Bus test on my first attempt.I also passed the Artic on my first attempt too with Advance. I would like to thank all the Management and Staff for their help and advice over the last few weeks. They have always been very helpful, professional and patient in their approach with students like myself. The 2 girls at front of house were always very helpful with any problem that had to be sloved. A big thanks to Noel for the Artic and to Mike for the Bus. I think that Mike has trained everyone that drives a bus or truck around Galway as everyone in a bus or truck waves at him every time. It felt like I was driving Michael D around waving at everyone. A great experience and one that I wont forget. What a brilliant company with wonderful personnel and I would like to wish them all the best in the future. I would hoghly reccommend Advance School of Motoring to anyone.
July 12, 2023Galway

Just passed my driving test. Could not have done it without the help and support of Advance Drive. My instructor, Adam, was fantastic. He had so much patience with me and never did I feel under massive pressure. He really helped me get to grips with areas I was having great dfficulty with. He had faith in me when I didn't and that meant the world to me. Also helped bring my stress levels down so a massive thank you to Adam. The people in the office were always exceptionally kind and friendly to me and for that I say thank you so much. Really appreciated. Overall I really enjoyed working with Advance Drive. Would recommend them to anyone who would like to learn to drive.
March 16, 2022Galway

I can’t thank the team at Advance Drive enough for all the incredible support and guidance during my driving lessons. From the moment I started, I felt welcomed and truly cared for. A massive thank you to Mike, my driving instructor. His calm and encouraging approach made every lesson enjoyable, and his expertise gave me the confidence I needed to drive safely and independently. Mike’s patience and positive attitude made such a difference, and I always looked forward to our lessons together. Aoife, Ailbhe, and Gerry were all fantastic as well! Each of them brought something unique to the course, and their kindness and professionalism were evident from the start. It was clear that they genuinely want their students to succeed, and that made all the difference. I also want to express my gratitude to Ronald, the course tutor. His insights and supportive teaching style helped me feel prepared and confident for the road ahead. But it wasn’t just about the instructors—everyone who was part of the course with me was so supportive and friendly. It really felt like a community, and I will miss those weekly lessons with everyone. Heartfelt thanks to the entire Advance Drive team for making this experience so memorable. Wishing you all the very best in the future, and I’ll always look back on this with a smile! Nicola
July 14, 2025Galway

I would highly recommend Advance Drive and in particular my instructor Pat in Galway. I was taken through all the requisite skills in great detail, i.e clutch control, observation and road positioning etc, such that I passed the test without any problems and felt no nerves on the day. I thank my instructor for his expertise and for sharing his knowledge of how to perform in the test on the day. His instruction really matched all the requirements of the test and made the experience much easier, as well as successful. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2025Galway

Firstly I would like to say a massive thanks to everyone in Advance Drive. From day one the staff in reception especially Aoife & Carla have been very very helpful and friendly. Any queries I had were explained straight away and they were able to work around my schedule to fit lessons in. A massive thanks to Pat, Dezzie and especially Noel for all the training in my bus lessons. The lads were 100% and very professional in training. I would highly recommend Advance drive for all your lessons. Passed both my Truck & Bus test first time! Thanks a million to all the staff 👏
October 13, 2025

Thanks to Corey for all your help and guidance throughout my driving lessons. Your patience, teaching, and advice were invaluable and made a significant difference in my learning experience. I was completely hesitant to even learn to drive, but your calm and encouraging approach ensured the whole process was a joy. Your expertise and reassuring demeanor made each lesson something I looked forward to, rather than something to be anxious about. I'm truly thankful for your dedication and the effort you put into helping me become a confident and safe driver. I highly recommend you to anyone looking to learn how to drive. Your professionalism and kindness make you an exceptional instructor.
June 14, 2024Bearna, Co Galway

This week I passed my Driver CPC case studies and minibus driving test with advance drive. A special thanks to owner Philip and staff Ronald,Gerry, Emma and Aoife who are so professional. My instructor was a really special man Dezzie who is the best.....Dezzie you are the man! Looking back now that all this is done and dusted I cant believe how nervous I was but Dezzie stuck with me and rather than giving up he kept me going and going. Thanks a million Dez for staying with me and you words of encouragement. This school Advance Drive I highly recommend and is the best and keep winning those awards.
October 6, 2021Joe Duane

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 highly recommend Advance Drive for their professional service. Having never driven a large vehicle before, from day one my bus driving training with Mike was excellent! Initial nerves were soon put to rest and I felt at ease with his guidance and his great wealth of experience as we progressed with the driving training program and preparations for the CPC. I passed both my D driving test and CPC first time! Thank you to Mike, Ailbhe and the team at Advance Drive!
February 2, 2015Claregalway

A massive thanks to Vincent who was my instructor on the bus course, Vincent was easy to get on with, his knowledge and encouragement made me feel at ease from the very first lesson to the pretest. Passed on my first attempt... Huge thanks also to Aoife, Carla, Ailbe, Gerry and Ronald and all the background team with Advance Drive, Fabulous team effort from all at Advance Drive to get learner over the finish line.. Highly Recommend Advance Drive Team Thanks a mill guys!
May 14, 2025Claregalway

"Highly Recommended" I highly recommend Advance drive to every person out there who is willing to obtain their licence in any category. I've gained new driving strategies and techniques, driving with discipline that helps you to be a safe driver on the road in different traffic conditions. Noel my bus instructor was very knowledgeable and professional and helped me relax through what can be very stressful situation - thanks ADVANCE DRIVE for helping me obtain my Bus licence .
August 18, 2021Ennis

I made five lessons with Pat and he was great, very helpful, calm, patient, and motivated me to keep trying. It made all the difference for me. Before I met him, all the other instructors were rude on the telephone on the first contact, they were assuming that I was a terrible trainee only because I wanted to change instructors even before they met me personally. Pat treated me differently, with respect and never second-guessed me. So, thank you very much Advanced Drive and Pat for your support
November 5, 2019Galway

Just completed my rigid truck test with Advance Drive this week and what a great experience I had not just passing the test but the learning experiences I got , I wish to thank all the staff at advance drive from the office staff to the instructors ,all of you have to be commended on your professionalism and your approach to teaching , learning and instructing at Advanced Drive.I have to say a big thank you to my right hand man even though he was sitting on the left hand side ,PJ Dunne.I can only describe his instruction as exceptional,a true gent that makes you feel confident in driving .along with all at advanced drive there is an overall infectious enthusiasm for learning and I thank you for that. May I wish all at Advance Drive the best for the future,I have no hesitation in highly recommending Advance Drive for all your instructional needs from car,truck bus and artic best wishes and many thanks again Eugene Flynn
October 10, 2022tuam, co. galway

(17/04/14) Looked at a number of other driving schools before choosing Advance Drive. I'm glad I went with my 'gut instinct' & chose this one. Philip did a great job of teaching me. I felt relaxed with him & learnt something at every lesson. He's patient, very astute (misses nothing!) a good communicator and great instructor. Managed to pass my driving test first time. I'm 'over the moon!' I would certainly recommend Advance Drive to anyone in the process of choosing a driving school. Thanks to Philip, Ailbhe & all at Advance Drive.
April 28, 2014Allison Barry

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

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 24, 2023Galway

I just completed a 10 week GRETB bus drivers course. The course was managed and run by Advance Drive Galway . The course included ten two hour lessons. CPC training,first aid responders course and lifting and manual handling course. Advance Drive are a very professional organisation. There staff and management were very friendly, supportive and efficient in everything they did. My instructor for the 10 weeks was Vincent Jennings. He was an excellent tutor with great patience. He really prepared me for my test, which I passed on my first attempt. I would highly recommend Advance Drive for anyone considering bus driving as a profession.
April 25, 2023

I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone involved in Advance Drive for their continued support and guidance through the Bus Driving D course which I have just completed and was successfull in passing my bus driving test.From Emma & Aoife on the phone as well as in the office who were very curtious and accompanying with everything, Gerry & Philip for their words of encouragement, Ronald for the online classes explained everything to detail and ensured we knew everything we needed to know about the Bus, Evelyn for giving me a better understanding about how to present a CV and a Cover letter, The First aid Course which was of great benefit, Lee who is an outstanding instructor, THANK YOU for your encouragement and believe in me from day one, i would also like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Patricia in gretb for her continued support over the past few years in getting me over the line eventually, absolutely delighted I got the opportunity to take part in this course and I wish you all the very best for the future 😀 you are a great team
July 7, 2021Circular road Galway

I got my rigid licence with Martin first go and couldn't be happier. Kept on my toes but also in the present moment where cool heads prevail. Made sure I was ready to pass and I did so thanks for that Martin you're a legend! As is the Advance Drive team with Aoife and Ailbhe who really kept things ticking along with great communication so you always know what's happening and when. Thank you you're the best! A positive experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!
January 11, 2024Galway

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

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