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 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

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

I just passed my artic with Noel (and Lee for final lesson) It’s easy to see why advance are so highly rated, top class all round, from the girls in the office making booking lessons and tests a breeze to the excellent instructor's, the knowledge and experience they have made me feel at ease from the very first lesson to the pre test. I have passed all the categories on the licence first time with advance drive and they are the only driving school I would ever recommend to anyone. Keep up the good work guys and thanks again
April 15, 2025Galway

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

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

After weeks of preparation and hard work, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve passed my bus driving licence exam! The journey wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. I want to thank my instructor (Noel) for their patience and guidance throughout the training process. He is not only taught me the technical skills needed but also instilled confidence in my abilities to handle a bus safely and responsibly. The testing process was thorough and fair, challenging me to showcase all the skills and knowledge I’d gained. Passing this milestone feels like a major achievement, and I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my career as a licensed bus driver. To anyone preparing for their own test: stay focused, trust the process, and practice as much as you can. It’s worth it!
December 12, 2024Galway

I passed my rigid truck (C) license at the first attempt yesterday, delighted! I did most of my lessons with Dezzie and one lesson with Mike. There were a few bumps along the road - took me a year from start to finish because my work interfered with booking and scheduling lessons - but Advance Drive as a company left me with the feeling that they care about each and every one of their students. They gave individual attention to me, and I am sure every student who chooses to train with them. Each person gets the education, practice, information and personal attention that they as an individual need. Now I feel like a competent and confident driver. I recommend this school. I want to thank particularly Dezzie for doing most of my lessons, your training style made everything feel very natural and easy and clear and I wish to thank everyone else who had a hand in my success: Mike, Phillip, and Aoife for all your help as a team to get me through at first attempt.
November 10, 2017Galway

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

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

Passed my Jeep and Trailer test with my instructor Noel. From start to finish Noel was brilliant, clear instructions and very good knowledge of all aspects of driving with a trailer. I would like to thank Noel for all his time and hard work. Also the girls in the office were great and they kept in touch with me during the long wait for my test and always sent timely reminders of upcoming lessons. I will definitely be using Advance drive when I start my ridget truck license. Thanks again James Aherne
February 17, 2022Galway

My driving instructor was Declan and he is a very good profesional and knows his job well. He explains everything very clear and in a very understandable way and he has a great patience. He is a very good teacher. I have changed many different driving instructors. I can say, that Declan always gives a very good examples from everyday life . He taught me a lot, and I am very grateful for and I still can’t believe that I’ve passed my driving test. Thank you Declan for your help and patience Olga
February 27, 2024Galway

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

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

I recently successfully completed my class D driving test. Training was provided by Advance Drive. I was lucky to have been paired with Noel one of the many instructors for the duration of my training. It was an enjoyable experience. Noel was so knowledgeable and he punctuated each lesson with pearls of wisdom and advice. He broke the whole driving process down to make it more readily understandable. All of the staff at Advance Drive were so professional from the very first day. There was a steady stream of emails and text messages to remind you of your driving lessons. Nothing was left to chance during training. Top marks all round to Advance Drive and their staff. June 2024.
July 26, 2024

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

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

I am really happy for passing my driving test. Of course i would not have a change passing without Martin my instructor. A massive thanks for this man. I never drove in my life and also never had experience in driving at all until I started my lessons at Advance Drive School. I remember how bad i was with my driving skills. I was scared and afraid of driving too. But Martin supported me from the start and gave his best to help me to improve my skills and my confidence. During my lessons i could learn so much and practice a lot. Every 2 hour lessons helped me to build my confidence and fix all my mistakes. I just wanted to say big thanks for Martin and for the whole team at the office. You all deserve the best, because you take care of us so well. Honestly, Advance Drive is a high level top school.
July 18, 2022Galway

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

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