I'm going to learn to drive because if I don't do it now I never will and will become some lonely old spinster who can't stay out past the last bus at 11.05PM.

What's the best way to pick an instructor? I'm naturally inclined to go for the more independent and less franchised ones but does this open you up to rubbish, inconsistent instructors and odd middle-aged men who dress entirely in corduroy and talk to you about how their ex-wife is now shagging Scott the risk assessor for an hour each week. Also how can you make the process as cheap as possible?

Horror stories especially welcome.