in the search feature and under the service information what does "driver" mean?

also are there any advantages/disadvantages of going w/ an agency provider over an independent provider and visa versa?

Driver simply means that she is driven to the out call appointment by, you guessed it, a driver.
As far as advantages or disadvantages there are pros and cons to both and many threads here discussing them. Try doing a search.
One thing to keep in mind however is that a good provider will have good reviews regardless of weather she is an indie or agency girl. Don't be fooled by an agency's claims. If their girls do not have reviews stay away.

as a rule of thumb how many reviews should i see before i consider a provider?

I would look for at least four or five reviews on a lady and they should all be from guys who have multiple reviews.  There are always exceptions and sometimes rolling the dice works out well. The longer you hobby the better your BS radar becomes. At first it's best to stick with well reviewed ladies.

thank you

Not sure what you mean by driver, but i assume it means that the lady is driven to the appointment.
As for the other...all I can say is if a provider rocked MY world I would want HER to have all my donation, and not a host of other people who rented her out. JMHO though.

Diana

pre-TER when reliable information wasn't as available, agencies would often send gals out with a driver.  He would show his ugly face implying you better not cause trouble.

In my early days, I had three encounters with divers, 2 went bad, and the 3rd wasn't all that great.  One gal changed, after the initial payment into her jammies, yes pajamas, not lingerie.  She was shocked when I asked if more was available, but then proceeded to quote me a price well above the arrival fee.

Now this was really stupid, I admit it!!!  I called a gal who advertised in the local "gentleman's" newspaper.  She arrived, transaction made, she strips to her underwear, looking good, right!!?!  Then she announced that she was willing, but her agency wouldn't allow sexual contact, should would come back later, off the company clock for an extra fee.  I say sorry, you already have all my cash.  She says no problem, it  can be taken out in trade.  So stupid me hands over a camera, and some other goods in exchange (which she hands off to the driver who just happens to be outside the door) for her cell number.  Of course the number didn't work, and I was screwed!!!

Some agencies still use drivers, but they are usually at the bottom of the barrel.  Here is one advertising for new drivers.  Call 610-967-9888.  Unfortunately, you have to wait 10 minutes before you discover just what a scumbag this guy is.

As for you agency/indy question, I say read a lady's review and judge by them, not the business model she has chosen.  Personally, I am more likely to see an independent, but I often have the number of a reliable agency with me, just in case.  In my experience, "just in case" happens about 3% of the time.

There's a pre-TER and post-TER time for just about anyone who reads this.

One of my earliest reviews I submitted documented a ripoff.  This provider used a driver.  And, the experience happened right before learning about TER and sure enough, this chick had reviews and they all stated rip-off.  My experience was similar to jazz32's.  If a girl takes your money and hands it off to her driver outside the door, you are NOT going to have a good time.

For me, if a girl uses a driver that's a potential red flag if you're going in cold without reviews.  If a girl is well reviewed and she has a driver that shouldn't be a concern.