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`

Passed the bus test first time. Advance Driving made that happen. They organised everything and there is no way I would have done it without their assistance advice help and instructions. Aoife and Emma- thanks for all help with lesson times. Lectures Ronnie and Tom, some day I hope to be as knowledgeable as ye guys, unreal. I've a long way to go tho. Denis- a very big thank you for your expert instruction on driving. You were brilliant. Thanks Advance again . Highly recommend Advance
July 28, 2022

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 passed my truck C test yesterday. I never drove a truck before and did seven lessons with Advance Drive instructor PJ Dunne. PJ’s tuition was 10/10, excellent, extremely professional. He is very personable and puts you at ease. His extensive experience is priceless, and he weighs your capabilities instantly and focuses on your weaknesses. He also drills you on the headline Health and safety and has his easy-to-follow notations to program you in good practice. The test is difficult, I was pushed on every element during the test. The lessons got rid of my years of ‘bad habits’ driving a jeep. During the test, PJ’s advice loud in my head at every junction, tight corner squeezed road due to road works, looking ahead to preempt potential hazards all came together the day of the test. When the examiner spoke to me briefly after the test, she said – ‘You must have been driving a truck for a while.’ That is a testimony to how good Advance Drive is and Instructor PJ Dunne. I highly recommend Advance drive for any of your driving lessons. In house Aoife, who had to account for my few cancellations, is very professional, friendly, and polite. An extremely efficient, professional business. Lessons are essential to pass this test and I highly recommend Advance Drive-An effective team. Peter
November 11, 2022

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

"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

I went to Advanced drive after they were recommended by a friend. I have now passed 2 tests with them (bus and truck) and can't praise them enough. Phillip and Mike are both very patient and encouraging during the learning process. During each pre-test lesson they re-assured me and gave me ways to deal with the test nerves. This patience,professionality and excellent prices, added to their felxibility in scheduling lessons make them my first choice for any more tests. well done lads
April 28, 2014Stephen Hand

Finally passed my driving test yesterday. Could not recommend Advance Drive enough, my instructor Vas was incredibly patient and could always tell me exactly where I was going wrong and what I needed to do to fix it. He was so terrific and professional and told me exactly what I needed to do to get my license. Driving did not come naturally to me at all and I had absolutely no experience driving a car before starting lessons. Even so, I always felt comfortable and never worried that getting my license was unachievable, as the lessons were really tailored to what I needed. The Advance Drive team we’re always lovely to deal with if I ever had to call them for anything. Definitely will be recommending
February 18, 2020Galway

ADVANCE DRIVE are a great driving school. To Aoife and Emma for organizing lessons at such short notice once again - it was much appreciated and didn't go un-noticed. To Dezzie - what an instructor. His attention to detail is crucial for you if you want to pass your test first time round. His guidance and methods are so easy to understand and makes the journey enjoyable. Pick up the phone right now and call them - you wont be sorry the day you get your test result! Much appreciated again, Alan
February 11, 2021Galway

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

passed my test first time with advance drive for my c1 licence , I can’t thank Lee enough for his patience and guidance throughout my lessons . Lee was a very thorough instructor and prepared me for all eventualities and explained everything so well . He was extremely understanding , professional and never made me question my ability. Mike was also very helpful for my pretest , he was very friendly and eased my nerves a lot , delighted to have got the experience to learn from both Lee and Mike , could not recommend them enough , Thank you so much !
April 23, 2024Galway

Can't thank the staff at Advance Drive enough, only for them I wouldn't have my truck licence. I would highly recommend them especially Mike (driving instructor), Trevor Bonner (Forklift instructor) and James Folan (Rules of the Road). Lee done most of my lessons, he's a strict instructor but good, always open to questions. I was fairly nervous on the run up to my driving test but Mike really helped, he gave me a mock test, it eased my nerves. I really enjoyed the HGV course. All the staff are lovely, very approachable and easy to talk to. I'd highly recommend Advance Drive, keep up the good work!
January 27, 2022

I completed my bus licence back in January and rigid licence in May with Advance Drive. I could not be any happier with all of the staff that made it such an easy task in obtaining both licences. Thanks to Lee in helping me get my bus licence, who was so professional in explaining everything in great detail to me (never knew how much you need to look in the mirrors, but I do now) but never made you feel under pressure or nervous. Thanks to Vinny for helping me get my rigid who again made everything feel so easy and yet made me laugh so much. Would highly recommend either of these two lads to teach you in either bus or truck. Massive thanks to Philip and Ailbhe who both were so accommodating in providing both information and guidance anytime it was needed, espically for the CPC theory and practical. Seriously I have greatest respect for all of ye at Advance Drive, keep up the great work and best of luck in the future.
November 23, 2017Galway

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

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

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