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`

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

Sailed through my Artic Truck test thanks to Philip and his brilliant, assuring and dedicated teaching. These guys really know their stuff and tutor you very professionally AND calmly! (this is most important, especially when trying to reverse a 35FT trailer around a corner!) When it came to seeking a professional driving qualification and after doing my research and getting info from all the other 'instructors' I am really delighted to have gone with Advance Drive - they're my No.1
April 30, 2014Nicholas

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for your guidance, support, and professionalism throughout my training. I successfully passed my truck driving test on July 8, 2025, and my artic truck test on November 7, 2025, and this achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and patience of the instructors. My special thanks go to instructors Martin and Noel, as well as instructor Dezzie, for their excellent teaching and encouragement. I am deeply grateful to everyone involved and to Advance Driving School as a whole for providing such high-quality training and support. It was truly a pleasure learning with such a committed and professional team. Thank you once again for everything.
January 9, 2026Co. Galway

Great team Philip has put together 💪 they cover every aspect of training. Everyone is nice and friendly and top professional at what they do. Big thanks to Noel for the 20 hours of lessons in the rigid, I passed 1st time with all your help 💯👊 mirror's indicate repeat 😁😁 thanks to everyone on the team from Frank and Trevor on the forklift course nice one lads 💪, Tom on manual handling 📦😁, Ronald on cpc great communication 💯 Aoife always making sure we have everything ready organised and on time💯👊 and Gerry making sure everything and everyone getting it done 🫡 and everyone else I didn't mention thanks again 👊 Brian Feeney
August 11, 2023Galway

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 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

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

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 was very nervous when starting to learn to drive a bus. I had never driven a bus in my life! But the training and instruction I got was excellent. The information and advice I got from Vincent during the lessons on the road, were very accurate, and he made me feel completely at home when driving the bus. Because of him I felt quite confident the day of the test, and so was delighted when I passed! with only one tick against me. I was absolutely delighted and really appreciated all the effort the Advance Drive Team gave to me. I would recommend them in a heart beat.
February 13, 2019Moylough

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

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 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

- Instructor: Vas is an excellent instructor, very careful with details; aways show the exact procedures for the exam; point out all the right and wrong maneuvers during the lessons; encourage you and prepare you for the stressful day of the test. - Driving centre: it was the only driving centre I found with available agenda for a short period; They have both manual and automatic cars; They have a good price; They are flexible; They always answer you very quick.
February 25, 2022Knocknacarra, Galway

I am delighted to have passed my D bus test on the first attempt. I was lucky enough to have 2 different instructors - Noel and Gerry. I feel both instructors had a different style of teaching and I definitely learned different things from each of them. They were both very thorough in making sure I was ready for the test and confident in the test procedure. The office staff are exceptional. They are accommodating and considerate. They know their job and they were great to call me and offer me an extra lesson before my test, when a slot became available. Before passing my test, I was already recommending Advance Drive to people who have asked me about getting a bus license.
March 4, 2022Galway

From my initial contact to passing my test I could not have been happier with the high level of service I received. Aoife and all the staff working in their Ballybane Office were approachable, informative and very knowledgeable about all aspects of Driving / Driving Tests and timescales involved. Dezzie was my Driving Instructor and he displayed all of the aforementioned traits and more. He is also very good at catering for each persons desired method of learning as well as simply being “sound as a pound”. I have nothing but the highest regard for all the staff at Advance Drive and can confidently recommend them to anyone looking to get any kind of Driving Licence. Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus bí sabháilte, Peadar 🤙☘️
December 16, 2020Galway

I'm euphoric, I passed the C Truck Licence which now allows us to head off into the sunset in our gorgeous huge camper van. Under Noel's tuition from Advance Drive every minute of every hour was spent learning and correcting and improving and more learning until we reached our goal. In my opinion Noel has the perfect balance - he brought a joyous ambience to the cab with his lovely lighthearted demeanour. He instilled a confidence in me and I always left the driving session feeling chuffed. Thank you Noel . Mary Clancy
June 21, 2022

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