Amount of lessons for 17 year old? [Archive] - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

aliasojo

22-05-2006, 7:34 PM

Luckily my son isn't a cocky 17 year old

Maybe I should rephrase...........you get confident take to it like a 'duck to water' drivers and less confident and more apprehensive drivers.

Son has driven his Father's car on private ground and has no issues with confidence at all. He thinks he will only need a few lessons to pass.

I wondered how many lessons it took others who felt they were at home behind a steering wheel. It seems safe to assume that a confident and eager learner will need less lessons than an average or nervous learner.

Rikki

22-05-2006, 7:40 PM

My son has only had six lessons with an instructor and when I meet him for the first time he said he was doing well and he was very pleased with him. He is naturally confident in most things so I am assuming driving is no different.

I would book your son a block of 10 lessons (normally cheaper) to hone his skills and learn the necessary points for his written part of the test and take it from there.

flossy_splodge

22-05-2006, 7:42 PM

Rikki

22-05-2006, 7:47 PM

What's the real issue here? :eek: Getting your son to be a safe and considerate driver or seeing how little can be spent to let yet another "know it all" contribute to the mayhem on our roads? Confidence is surely NOT the only issue?:confused:

I see it as budgeting. Having a rough idea of the average cost and having some emergency funding if it takes longer. So that once lessons are started you can afford to follow it through to the end.

aliasojo

22-05-2006, 7:51 PM

Wow flossy. I didn't realise there was an issue until now.

I asked the question so that I could use some examples of other people's experiences during a discussion with son about lessons. He IS confident behind a wheel but my gut feeling is that he will require many more lessons than he seems to think he will. Like I said, it's safe to assume that a confident person will need less than a nervous person but that does not then equal 'not enough' lessons does it?

It's always useful to provide anecdotal evidence when discussing things with offspring otherwise it could be assumed that 'Mum' was just making things up to suit her side of the conversation.

You seem to have assumed that the objective of my post was to find out how quickly or cheaply it could be to pass a test?

You could not be more wrong. :rolleyes:

Rikki

22-05-2006, 7:54 PM

aliasojo if he passes he's safe to be on the road and if he fails he will have to stay confined to the back yard for a bit longer.:D

tkblueyonder

22-05-2006, 7:57 PM

Serious point....

As a professional LGV driving instructor( The last 2 years for the London Fire Brigade) my advice would be...

N0 1..... Get a quote from you insurance company for L Driver assuming you have your own car have been a qualified driver for 3 years ( Legal obligation to sit next to an L Driver)

N0 2... Go to WHSMITHS and look through the driving book section by yourself a higway code and a driving manual (Total.. approx 10 quid), the driving manual teaches you all you need to know about the test( exercises etc)

N0 3 .... teach your child how to behave correctly if they have racing car bad attitude, a lot of car instructors cover their own ars* and let the youngsters get on with it and keep taking the money.

N0 4...... When they pass go home feeling chuffed with yourself and probabaly earning more respect from your sibling in the process, hence money saving galore ( apart from petrol of course ) :j

Basically my idea is this ..... sooooooo many driving schools have sooooo few trainees therefore dont pass and leave my diary empty...comprende!:T

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0115521917/203-4091097-2639141.. Driving Manual

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0115526986/qid=1148324147/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/203-4091097-2639141...Highway Code

aliasojo

22-05-2006, 8:34 PM

Thank you TK.

Will get a driving manual and already have Highway code (OH has HGV licence and his job requires him to attend various refresher courses or tests or something :confused: so there's usually a Highway code book kicking around here somewhere. :))

Thankfully son doesn't have (at the moment at least :rolleyes: ) a boy racer attitude. In fact he is openly disdainful about the idiots who drive around our town too fast and with their stereo blaring. I am quietly confident that he will be a responsible driver although nothing is ever carved in stone.

He often picks up on other people's poor driving when we are out in my car...i.e. people overtaking at bad points in the road or not indicating or being in the wrong lane etc, so I am hopeful that he will be responsible at the least.

jfdi

22-05-2006, 8:49 PM

My lad - now 18, had 16 lessons plus a LOT of time out practicing with me in the car - 2 or 3 times a week, in carparks, and other types of situations practising manouvres etc as he progressed - & passed first time. Then he did 'Pass Plus' - and went out on his own. One year later he's fine - not even a bump, thank goodness!

highguyuk

22-05-2006, 8:52 PM

As a 17 year old, I learnt in 27 lessons. I had no other time in a car, my parents didn't have a car at the time. I believe I passed far far quicker than the average.

The general rule I have heard about lessons and age, from my instructor, is that it takes twice your age in lessons to pass.

Your son maybe able to drive confidentally around the field, but if he can drive safely around the roads according to the rules and enough to satisfy the examiner is another matter. Exercises such as reverse parking and 3 point turns should be taught via an instructor so that the correct techniques can be applied not only for the test but for life.

Based on my experience, get the theory test booked and passed as soon as you can. I used a 3rd party CD Rom with test questions and hazard perception tests on there and passed with full marks on my theory questions. I passed my hazard perception, but not as comprehensively. When I was booking my test a couple of years ago there was a delay on test bookings, so if that is the case in your area book early. Sorry to say it is high unlikely your son will pass first time. I passed 3rd time around, although IMO it should have been the 2nd time ... ANOTHER MATTER!

Costs for me:
Provisional Driving Licence = £38
Theory Test = £19
27 lessons at £19 each = £475
Duplicate Driving Licence after I lost it = £19 (oops!)
3 * Practical Test Fee = £39
Cost of booking test car during test = £58
= £648.

But then again, how much is "freedom" of driving for "life" worth? It was money very well spent in my opinion, even if I hadn't of lost my licence. lol.

pavlovs_dog

22-05-2006, 8:56 PM

it depends a lot on the type of instructor you choose as well. with BSM for example, you spend numerous lessons in a simulator before they even entertain the thought of letting you get behind the wheel of their car :eek:

a lot of practice outside of lessons is also important, to build up confidence and experience. i would suggest that once his instructor is happy for your DS to drive from the house (ie for the whole duration of the lesson) then he is ready to don his L plates and start chauffeur driving you to tescos etc (if your nerves can hack it :D ).

he gets more experience on the road, and you both get some 'quality' time together.

will he be contributing from his pay packet towards these lessons :D , or are you stumping up the cost? and are you aware of the tesco clubcard deal for BSM ?

aliasojo

23-05-2006, 7:13 AM

Your son maybe able to drive confidentally around the field, but if he can drive safely around the roads according to the rules and enough to satisfy the examiner is another matter.

Agree completely. At least he is familiar with the car controls and is confident in driving the car itself, though....which will likely mean he will be able to concentrate more on what the driving instructor is teaching him.

When I learned, I remember being very conscious of the pedals and was extremely worried I'd put the wrong foot on the wrong pedal. All through the lesson, I had a wee mantra going through my mind to remind me my left foot was clutch only. I'm sure I only heard half of what the instructor said that day. :rolleyes: At least son is able to use the controls and handle the car confidently and will be able to concentrate fully on the rest.

p_d......I actually phoned BSM last night and the chap said to use 30 hours as an average, approximate cost £600. Obviously some peeps will be more, some will be less. There is a 2-3wk waiting time for theory tests and a 3-4 wk wait for the test itself. He said in theory, son could be through his test in 6 weeks with some intensive lessons and practice on the road with me.

There are some small local independants, but being a small Highland town, there are only a few and they are booked for months ahead. You are also unlikely to be able to book more than 1 lesson a week with them as they are so busy. (There must have been a powercut or something 17 years ago as there are a high % of 17 year olds in this town! :rolleyes: )

I have a feeling I wont be on here much in a couple of weeks time.......I'll be out on the road......'bonding'....and having 'quality time' with my son. :rolleyes:

Ex is paying for the lessons as a birthday present btw.....so my Tesco vouchers will live to see another day. :D

nmealey

23-05-2006, 12:51 PM

its not all about confidence though. Our local police caught a 17 year old female drink driving. She passed her test 2 days before - ooops ! I think attitude has more a bearing on it.

balsingh

23-05-2006, 1:27 PM

I passed my test in 1992 and at the time the rule of thumb was 1 lesson for each year of your age. I didnt believe this but I was 17 and I ended up having 19 lessons. My mum passed her test when she was 34 after havign around 30 lessons. I know there are many factors to affect it but this is definitly a good starting point when trying to estimate the cost. Not sure how much stricter they are on tests since then but I didnt even have to do a theory test.

I disagree with the bit about lots of practice in another car. In my opinion, its a lot easier to learn in 1 car and take the test in the same car. By practising in another car outside of the lessons, you then have to adjust yourself between 2 cars which is not easy as a learner. For example, the last thing you want is to mess up on the test over confusion about where the reverse gear is on one car as opposed to another. Adjusting between more thna one car should be done after you have passed the test and start gaining more confidence.

nmealey

23-05-2006, 1:36 PM

my daughter is 10, better get the license applied for quick !

plane_boy2000

23-05-2006, 5:35 PM

What's the real issue here? :eek: Getting your son to be a safe and considerate driver or seeing how little can be spent to let yet another "know it all" contribute to the mayhem on our roads? Confidence is surely NOT the only issue?:confused:

I think that you are a little niave. Driving instructors are there to get you through a test - very few will actualy teach you how to drive, just how to pass a test.

C_Ronaldo

23-05-2006, 5:43 PM

it depends on how quick they are taking stuff in and remembering to do all that stuff at the right moment

Lucie

23-05-2006, 6:14 PM

My nephew turned 17 on new years eve & passed his test on valentines day, so thats.......about 6 weeks. He too had been driving with his Dad on private land previously & had already bought himself a car (birthday money savings since 13 & saturday job earnings). He's now also passed the "pass plus" test. He's always been a "car boy", but certainly isn't a reckless driver.
I had never even shown a remote interest in how a car worked until I turned 17 & had 13 lessons before passing first time.
I think it's a lot to do with confidence & learning ability - does he normally pick things up fast?

flossy_splodge

25-05-2006, 12:54 AM

So sorry to the poster whose experiences have left them with such a biased view of instructors. When my younger daughter learned with a small private instructor he was VERY particular about driving habits, courtesy on the road etc and in consequence she is a super driver and I have no hesitation in letting her drive me. Sorry your experience has been different.:rolleyes: And aliasojo my apologies. You're quite right, I did assume what you were getting at and I'm glad I was wrong. Was having a grumpy day. Forgive.:o

tickman

25-05-2006, 8:12 PM

I think that you are a little niave. Driving instructors are there to get you through a test - very few will actualy teach you how to drive, just how to pass a test.
Some instructors will do this. some will also continue to teach people who will never pass as they pay the mortgage.
do not judge when to take your son out by when the instructor lets them drive away from the house as when i was teaching people always on their second lesson at the latest lesson they drove from the house. it is such a boost that they did it they can then achieve loads more.

main point book 2 hour lessons not 1 hour as far more beneficial.
if you are sitting in next to someone learning the fastest way to stop the car is to shout STOP.
a good instructor can control the car with speach! i used to go through about 3 litres of water a day because i never shut up.
lastly be realistic, if you can take them out do it at quiet times at first, possibly starting in a car park to get your confidance up not theirs! and instructor should let them go for test when they feel safe but it depends on the instructor!!
T.

samanthaknd

25-05-2006, 10:09 PM

Luckily my son isn't a cocky 17 year old but he is 17 and having driving lessons. The instructor told him he should be looking at about 40 lessons in total..
Looking at and actually having less or more lessons is a matter of opinion I was told this when i started my lessons 2 years ago (ok I stopped for 6 months when i broke my leg last year) BUT.... my driving instructor i feel is taking the pi*s as i KNOW i am ready but he doesn't want me to take my test. I have until may 16th 2007 to pass or I'll need to sit my theory again. so if he doesn't let me do it Im just gonna look for another instructor.

samanthaknd

25-05-2006, 10:16 PM

Thank you TK.

He often picks up on other people's poor driving when we are out in my car...i.e. people overtaking at bad points in the road or not indicating or being in the wrong lane etc, so I am hopeful that he will be responsible at the least.
funnily enough I do that too when Im in car with OH, Luckily your son had the confidence to start with, with me I was a bundle of nerves for at least 7 lessons. But I did pass my theory test first time with full marks, But as my other post said My instructor says "wait a while longer the test centre is full just now" well maybe next week I will phone myself and make him get his finger out hos a*se

samanthaknd

25-05-2006, 10:28 PM

Some instructors will do this. some will also continue to teach people who will never pass as they pay the mortgage.
do not judge when to take your son out by when the instructor lets them drive away from the house as when i was teaching people always on their second lesson at the latest lesson they drove from the house. it is such a boost that they did it they can then achieve loads more.

main point book 2 hour lessons not 1 hour as far more beneficial.
if you are sitting in next to someone learning the fastest way to stop the car is to shout STOP.
a good instructor can control the car with speach! i used to go through about 3 litres of water a day because i never shut up.
lastly be realistic, if you can take them out do it at quiet times at first, possibly starting in a car park to get your confidance up not theirs! and instructor should let them go for test when they feel safe but it depends on the instructor!!
T.as for the 2 lessons. all 3 or my instructors said it wasn't very good as it tires you out more, my very first instuctor Dave (excellent until he retired :() said he wouldn't take my money as it would probably cause more muck ups as you get more tired as a learner, (and I did take a 2 hour lesson with 2nd instuctor, and from experience I found I was trying my damn hardest to please that i made more mistakes than I would in a normal lesson.)

savvy

25-05-2006, 10:56 PM

All through the lesson, I had a wee Now that doesn't suprise me! ;):D

I've never heard of the 'twice your age' for lessons before...........that means I should have had around 44 lessons, I had 9 and passed first time :confused:

One of my 17 year old students has had 30 and apparently suggests he has another 10 before he puts him in for his test...............call me cynical, but I couldn't help wondering if his driving instructor was ripping him off there a bit :confused:

leanne06

26-05-2006, 11:55 AM

watch with bsm they use trainee driving instructors and charge you the same, if they have a green badge they are fully qualified but if they have a pink badge they are still in training..

iceman

28-05-2006, 12:24 PM

Totally agree plane boy - instructors teach you how to pass a test. Natural aptitude combined with experience gained afterwards make people good drivers.

I had 12 lessons, and could probably have been described as a 'know it all' and cocky 17 year old back then.

tkblueyonder

28-05-2006, 12:27 PM

lily the pink

28-05-2006, 12:46 PM

I was told the agex2 approximation - which was very depressing as I was over 30 when I learnt to drive. Lost count of the number of lessons I had in total - and I wasnt that nervous (but not as confident as I would have been at 17).

I think if my son was learning to drive, I would try and encourage him to do the Institute of Advanced motorists (http://www.iam.org.uk/Aboutus/join.php) course after he passed his test - costs £85 according to their website. I would probably make it a condition of paying for his lessons (if I were paying for them). In my experience, you only really learn how to drive once you have passed your test and are out on your own (hence mega high insurance for newbie drivers). A lot cheaper than passplus course.

Katgoddess

28-05-2006, 3:27 PM

watch with bsm they use trainee driving instructors and charge you the same, if they have a green badge they are fully qualified but if they have a pink badge they are still in training..

Yeah I started leanning with BSM 5 years ago and didn't realise I had a trainee DI. I spent a year failing tests and put me off for a while. :mad:

I passed first time last year with an AA instructor who was a family friend as I got a good discount. I was 25 and had about 50 hours. Not including the ones with BSM.

tkblueyonder

28-05-2006, 7:39 PM

Yeah I started leanning with BSM 5 years ago and didn't realise I had a trainee DI. I spent a year failing tests and put me off for a while. :mad:

I passed first time last year with an AA instructor who was a family friend as I got a good discount. I was 25 and had about 50 hours. Not including the ones with BSM.

Anyone in the game knows BSM has a rip off reputation... yikes the way im going i had better contact my legal team lol:j

ames123

23-07-2006, 5:20 PM

Now that doesn't suprise me! ;):D

I've never heard of the 'twice your age' for lessons before...........that means I should have had around 44 lessons, I had 9 and passed first time :confused:

One of my 17 year old students has had 30 and apparently suggests he has another 10 before he puts him in for his test...............call me cynical, but I couldn't help wondering if his driving instructor was ripping him off there a bit :confused:

Not necessarilary, I have had about 35 so far. x