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 want to say a massive thank you to the Advance Drive team, especially Martin and Aoife. Firstly, every time I contacted advance drive I was greeted by Aoife who went over and beyond to help as much she could in regards to lessons, booking me in, changing slots and replying to emails. However, I owe a huge thanks to Martin, my instructor for all my 22 lessons! From start to finish he gave it his all, and I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher. He made sure I was all set for my test, which meant first go I passed with flying colours! I highly recommend him, and advance drive overall, and wish them the very best.
July 15, 2022Galway

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 passed my driving test last week with Advance Drive for the D1 license. I want to thank Philip, Ailbhe, Gerry, Aoife, Mike and all the team for their professionalism and support throughout. I want to give a huge thanks to my driving instructor Mike. Mike is a professional, experienced and understanding Driving Instructor. With his expertise, encouragement and patience he taught me the skills to become a safe driver. I would highly recommend Mike as a Driving Instructor. My experience with Advance Drive from start to finish was superb.
May 25, 2023Clare

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'd like to thank all at Advance drive for there constant support and guidance on completing the HGV, rigid truck course through GRETB, and Advance drive. Thanks to the front office team Aoife and Co. Thanks to Philip and Gerry and all the team excellent job great company all round and Thanks to all the forklift instructor's Mark and Tom. And especially to my driving instructors Martin and Dessie and a big Thanks to Dessie for getting me over the line with your relaxed informed composure and clear instructions throughout my last few lessons big shout to Dessie, Thanks a million. And a huge thanks to my instructor Mike for the hour lesson before my test he made me totally relaxed and gave me great confidence, a true Gentlemen and a great Ambassador for Advance drive. Kind regards To all at Advance drive. Highly recommended Conor Walsh
May 20, 2025Dunmore Co Galway

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 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 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

Today, at the age of 43, I at last passed my driving test; doing so, on my first attempt. After years of hesitancy, and a belief I wasn't capable of driving well, the skills, ability and professionalism exhibited by my driving instructor - Noel Nee, at all times ensured that I was more than capable and ready to achieve my full category B driving license. In no small way, it was the enthusiasm, patience, exacting dedication to excellence, humility, and his earnest sense of putting the learner first that allowed me advance with confidence to the position of executing my test, and further passing with a confidence I thought I did not own. Since my initial lesson with Noel, I was always greeted with optimism, calm, and a capacity to teach that at all times remained with me, and will, I believe, remain with me as I begin driving as a novice licensee. Again, since meeting Noel, I always felt listened to, treated as an equal, and spoken to in a manner that allowed me learn, returning each time with the knowledge I was growing in awareness, and further honing the skills necessary to become a competent driver. Here, his advice and willingness to go above and beyond in terms of ensuring I understood, while also instilling a belief I was more than capable, all indelibly paved the way to my passing the test in a successful manner. Today, therefore, it is without hesitation that I write this testimonial in the hope that Noel is somehow given the credit he richly deserves, and, from here, would gladly recommend him as an instructor to any and all, in particular those lacking the confidence in their own abilities. He remains an exceptionally good teacher exacting all those attributes required to allow those he tutors to excel as they should. In turn, I also wish to acknowledge the professionalism and understanding I was at all times met with by the staff at Advance Drive, in particular Aoife and Emma, who always met me with warmth, kindness, humour, and patience, in what has been an unprecedented and drawn out year. Undoubtedly, their ability to meet my needs financially allowed me to continue to progress with them, especially at times of financial stress. Again, their ability to show compassion and understanding proved worthy and invaluable, which is why i would have no hesitation recommending they as a professional body to any wishing to avail of lessons, where staff and instructors put the learner's need first. At a time in which the humanity or personal seems to be on the wain, the people at Advanced Drive remain a testament to what good companies are really all about - providing a service that ensures the customer is happy and further satisfied they chose to run with that company in the first place. My continued appreciation and best wishes to a company worth noting. Ted
January 12, 2021Galway

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

(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

Delighted to pass my Category D Bus test on my first attempt. Thanks to all at Advance Drive, a professional company who ate to be highly recommended. A special word of thanks to my fantastic instructor Noel. Noel is professional, knowledgeable, informative and good craic too. On meeting I was immediately put at ease and what followed was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. If you want to learn to drive and pass your test, Noel is the instructor you want to book. Thanks also to Emma and Aoife in the office who were always very helpful in answering any queries I had.
January 13, 2022Galway

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

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

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