Slightly different angle, but my son has had some lessons recently.

1st instructor cancelled two lessons at very short notice with no explanation, son said he was going to try someone else and the instructor had a massive go at him and then she started crying!.

2nd instructor was an older gentleman who had a go at my son for doing something he shouldn't have (can't remember what) but had been told to!.

The lessons have been stopped for the time being, we'll concentrate on getting his wife back behind the wheel (she does have a license, but didn't pass in the UK and has never driven on the left).

The driving school car was probably being driven by an instructor. They all seem to have a fairly flexible interpretation of the rules when they're not on the job.

It did look as if there was someone tallish in the passenger seat.