Instagram and TikTok have become major marketing channels for SA driving schools. Some are completely legit. Some are not.
Red flags on Instagram driving school accounts
- Account less than 6 months old
- All posts are stock photos / generic cars / no real students
- Bio has no physical address
- DMs are aggressive — "Pay now for the discount before midnight"
- Comments are disabled or only show emojis
- No tagged photos of actual students
- Owner doesn't show their face anywhere
- Phone number is mobile-only, no landline
Green flags
- Posts of real students at the DLTC after passing (with student permission)
- Tagged photos of vehicles with visible licence discs
- Replies to comments in normal SA English
- Posts that have been live for 2+ years
- Linked website with full contact details and registration number
Before you pay
- Search the school name on Google — does anything show up?
- Search their phone number — is it linked to any other businesses or scams?
- Drive past the address (or use Street View)
- Phone during business hours — does a person answer with the school name?
- Cross-check on our directory — verified schools have been manually checked
Payment
- Pay EFT to a registered business bank account
- Never pay via Instagram's in-app payment
- Never pay cash for full packages — small deposit only, balance after first lesson
- Get a written receipt or invoice with the school's business details on it
Frequently asked
- Should I avoid Instagram-only schools entirely?
- Not entirely — but apply much more scrutiny. Verify the business through other channels before paying.
- Is paying via Instagram safe?
- Use EFT to a registered business bank account. Avoid cash, never use Instagram's in-app payments.