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 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

Today I achieved a big dream—I passed my Category C driving test! 🚛🎉 I would like to sincerely thank the entire team at my driving school for their professionalism, patience, support, and dedication throughout this journey. You played an important part in helping me achieve this milestone. I’m truly grateful for every lesson, every piece of advice, and all the encouragement you gave me. This is the beginning of a new chapter, and I’ll always appreciate everything I learned with you. Thank you so much! Wishing you continued success in helping many more people achieve their dreams. #Grateful #CategoryC #TruckDriver #NewBeginning #Ireland
June 26, 2026

Passed my c license on my first try today. I would to thank the whole team at advance drive for there dedication on helping me pass my driving test I would like to give a special shout out to my driving instructor dezzie who made every thing very simple for me I would recommend you guys to everyone and anyone who is wanting to learn how to drive a truck or a car you get a big 10/10 from me. Also I would like to thank Mike Rice for his kind words today thanks so much Darren Jennings
May 1, 2024Galway

I passed my rigid test previously with Advance Drive and yesterday my jeep and trailer test, both on the first time, thanks to the great team at Advance Drive. All the staff are friendly, helpful and professional. Dezzie and Noel are great instructors. They keep everything calm and relaxed, whilst having a great way of helping you learn and correct any bad habits you may have picked up. Would highly recommend Advance Drive for anyone looking to pass a test. Keep up the great work
August 31, 2021Galway

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’d like to say many thanks to Declan, Aoife and Carla of Advance Drive Galway. What I’ve noticed from Declan’s teachings is that he is incredibly patient and he helps you understand exactly what you’re doing incorrectly in a calm and understanding manner during the EDT and extended lessons prior to my driving test. I highly advise newcomer learner drivers to select Declan as their driving instructor. Thank you Declan and best of luck in your current and future endeavours.
April 29, 2025Galway

Having resently passed my driving test for category "D" Bus Licence, I would just like to thank Advance Drive for all the tuition and instruction that I received in preparation for the driving test and also the bus case studies exam. Ronald was on the mark as usual for the possible case study questions that might come up on the day of the test and passing on all that knowledge. Thank you Ronald so much. As far as my bus driving skills needed to be brought up to a high standard in order for me to pass the test, I have Mike to thank for all his patience and professionalism. You got me to that level required to pass. Thank you for everything Mike. Thanks also to all the staff for all the planning of lessons and date fixtures. Thank you all so much. Advance Drive is a very professionally ran training school, with the very best instructors. Highly recommended.
August 7, 202466 Dun Na Mara Drive Renmore Galway

Having recently completed and thankfully passed the Rigid Truck Course, I would just like to thank Advance Drive for all the excellent tuition that we all received while on the the course. I would particularly like to thank Martin for his patience and his great instruction with the driving lessons. Thanks also to all the Admin staff as always, for keeping everything on track and running smoothly for us throughout the course. A truly exceptional experience. Thank you all so much.
August 30, 2024Galway

The Team at Advance drive are a 1st class team from the moment you enter the premises to every detail of your lesson. Everything is covered and perfected to make your driving lesson experience a easy an enjoyable way to learn to drive and successfully pass your test. The instructors are experienced and know exactly how to deal with every driver. From the unexperienced 1st time driver to the experienced professional driver. They will bring you through to successfully pass your test. I have experience with Advance for almost 20 years and have successfully passed all my driving test 1st time with Advance drive . Bus and Rigid. Next up Artic lessons and I am confident that Advance drive will get me successfully through this test also. Well done all at Advance drive
March 9, 2021Galway

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 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

Advance Drive was a great option to complete my EDT in the way to obtain the Irish driving license. Very responsive and proffesionals, Emma and Aoife were great in supporting the classes scheduling and booking the car for the day of the test. For me it was very valuable the offered service to book the same car to take the exam. My instructor Pat was brilliant and patient in guiding me in the introduction to Ireland's driving rules and correcting me some bad driving habits!. He gave me very good tips, that I took, and I am very happy to have passed the driving test today!
August 23, 2021GORT

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **5 Star Review for Advance Drive** I would highly recommend **Advance Drive** to anyone looking to start a career in bus driving. I was lucky enough to be taken on board for a **10-week bus driving course**, and during that time I gained so much knowledge, confidence and valuable experience. The course covered so much, including **bus driving, first aid, manual handling, career planning and job-seeking skills**, which has really helped prepare me for my next step. A special thank you to **Evelyn**, who was absolutely brilliant in helping me with my career planning and job-seeking skills. She was so supportive and encouraging throughout. I also want to say a huge thank you to **Mike, Vincent and Ronald**, who were absolutely fantastic teachers. They were so patient, supportive and encouraging and helped me learn, improve and build my confidence in driving buses. I couldn't have asked for better instructors. And finally, thank you to **Philip** for introducing us all to Advance Drive and giving us this fantastic opportunity and Aoife who was excellent on emails communicating and making sure everything was right along with the other girls so many to mention I also want to thank **everyone at Advance Drive** who helped and supported me throughout the course. There is a truly fantastic team there, and everyone played their part in helping me get to where I am today. I feel so lucky and proud to have **passed my bus driving test**! 🚌🎉 It has been an amazing 10 weeks, and I am so grateful for all the knowledge, support and encouragement I received along the way. I’m now really looking forward to **what lies ahead and starting this exciting new chapter**. ❤️ **Thank you, Advance Drive, for everything! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
September 24, 2026Galway

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

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

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 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

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 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

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