learning to drive any advice please ? (automatic or manual same routine ?

[theshadow]

hi

yeah i know too long enough but i;m 31 and want to learn how to drive it would benefit our family now :) so i aint got a clue on where to even start lol, so anyone could advise me on what to do first or any paperwork i need to get that would be awesome.

And i;m not sure i will be good at manual drive as never driven at all but looks complex and automatics a better way to go! but i think thats a different type of license aint it?

sorry for all questions but would be most greatful for any info.
Thanks
Dave

[mrtg0525]

If you take your test in an automatic, you'll get a license that'd specify that you're only allowed to drive automatics. If you'd ever want to rent a van to transport something bigger, you'll be a bit stuffed because vans tend to have manual transmissions...

Driving is a skill that you'd need to learn anyway so I'd go for the manual.

The DVLA has a webpage up with information for learners and new drivers, hope this helps:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/index.htm

[steveo3002]

id suggest you at least try a manual for a good few lessons...everyone else picks it up easy enough

its fairly easy to jump from a manual to auto and pick it up, but like the above poster says you cant drive a manual on a auto license ...most loan cars, uk renters and so on are manuals

[mitchg]

Manual i wouldnt consider doing an automatic only course you will be limited in cars to buy later on and some smaller/ economical /town cars will be hard to find in this version
I wold also consider doing an intensive course to pass, get the theory test passed then do a week long crash course and pass at the end of the week, means spending out big in one go but all over ad done in a much shorter and convienient time frame.

[sarahlsmith22]

Manual i wouldnt consider doing an automatic only course you will be limited in cars to buy later on and some smaller/ economical /town cars will be hard to find in this version
I wold also consider doing an intensive course to pass, get the theory test passed then do a week long crash course and pass at the end of the week, means spending out big in one go but all over ad done in a much shorter and convienient time frame.

I think this would be the way I would do it if I could go back in time! I had one lesson a week for an hour and a half. It took ages for me to 'get' driving and to get over the complete panic I felt as nobody in my family drives so I was not even used to going about in a car. Then I got laryngitis the day before my test and they wouldn't refund me unless I gave a weeks notice so I lost the money on that test. All in all a bit of a waste of money.

If you do the intensive course it will be all you think about and you won't have the time in between the lessons to completely forget what you did the week before. Good luck driving :T

[anewman]

www.2passforums.co.uk is a good place to start reading.

I would say if after maybe 30 hours you are still *seriously* struggling with the manual gears, I would then be considering automatic.

You could swot up on the theory test and apply for that yourself, but some may say it's worthwhile learning this alongside learning driving, but it may take time away from learning to drive.

[Diamond78]

I am due to start my driving lessons next week. First if you already havent got your provisional licence you need to get that by applying to the dvla. Once youve got that then your free to learn to drive. The mistake I have made was starting lessons then after a while stopping due to whatever reasons I had.I first started lessons in 1998 took about 10 then stopped.As a result lost any confidence I had.Then fell pregnant,had my son then started lessons again in 2004, again had about 10.Unfortunatly I didnt have a good experience with the driving instructor and stopped and lost the confidence again.Then started with another instructor in 2006 gain had aboout 10 and just couldnt do manual.

All you need to remember is everyone is different,in my case Im slow at learning,maybe its my age or being a mum I dont know.I re started lessons in october last year and switched to automatic which I found a lot easier and luckily had a good instructor but I have moved now so have just boked a block of 10 lessons with the local driving school as dont know anyone from my area to recomend me a driver.

You need to go with what suits you and what you feel comfortable with.I would recomed you try manual as you may be easy to pick this up.Im sure I would of had I been a bit more patient.Ask around friends or look up online and look under your postcode for either driving schools or instructors.I didnt have much choice of choosing as most of the schools or instructors in my area are manual. I would of gone for an intensive course but prices are to high for me and I cannot afford it but if you have the money and can afford to pay over £400(quotes i was given) then go for it. Mine cost me £230 for a block of 10 lessons and thats an hour.Also check how long your lessons will be.If you dont do an intensive, go for atleast an hour as some lessons can be 45mins or 50mins. The extra 10-15mins is worth it.

Once you start your lessons you will feel so good and start gaining confidence.Its my goal to learn to drive and pass as march 08 my theory will expire as its only valid for 2 years unless its changed.I recomend you do your theory after you have had about 8-10 lessons as your knowledge would be more.You can study online by finding sites where you can do mock theory and hazard perception tests.

Goodluck and keep us updated and what you do.All the best.x

[movilogo]

Automatics are not that bad as many people think. It is definitely easier and faster to learn in automatics. Most people only drive their own cars, so you're unlikely to face any real problem.

Of course the choice is yours. Entire USA drives automatics, they all can't be wrong :)

[anewman]

Of course the choice is yours. Entire USA drives automatics, they all can't be wrong :)

Entire USA has 50" waists too :rotfl:

[theshadow]

massive thanks guys for all the advice and info its great :) and yeah i might be a slow learner when it comes to cars but hey that be cos i never been behind a wheel before so will try for manual and dont take to it then i will go Auto and take lessons in that :)

So first thing is to get a prov license which i will look into asap (thanks) by the way is there a limit on how many tests u have to take before your allowed to take the test!

Good Luck also Diamind78 :)
Dave

[anewman]

by the way is there a limit on how many tests u have to take before your allowed to take the test!

Not quite sure what you mean by that. If you mean mock tests no. Most instructors will only be happy to put you in for the test when they feel you are able to pass. This is a good thing for students as it means no fee wasting, the driving test gets expensive when you add the test fee to the instructor fee for using the car. Unfortunately some instructors may use it as an excuse to keep putting off the test so they make more money out of you through lessons, but on the whole they'll be the bad instructors struggling to find pupils.

[Diamond78]

Thanks theshadow.I start my lessons tomorrow.

anewman is right.There isnt any amount of times you can take your test.Once you have passed your theory its valid for 2 years(unles it has changed).You can buy cd roms for the pc to help you with the theory test which is based on 2 tests.The actual theory which is formed on questions and the 2nd part being the hazard preception.That is short clips and you click when you see a hazard but i defianatly recomend you study these and do the mock test which comes with the cd rom.I got mine from woolworths and its the one with all driving tests.cant remember the name as ive now given it to my brother but if you go in or any shop that sells cd roms and dvs they will know what your after.I also read the book about the highway code which is a must and the DSA offical guide to driving.Its a big and thick book and although i didnt read it all most parts came in useful.I need to get it back off my brother as I feel reading it will help me with my learning to drive.

Goodluck and get your provisonal licence sent off soon as you can.Get your passport pics done as you need to send pics with your application form.

[princesspoppypop]

Hello,

I would really suggest that those ppl who are learning to drive, really swat up on the theory side of driving first, The CD-roms as mentioned are really good, but you must practice, practice,practice. Once you have your Theory test passed then you are a step closer on your journey towards getting a full licence.
Also learning in a manual car is the best option, then you have the choice when you have a full licence to driver either.

I used to have 1 x 2hr lesson per week at a cost of £40 for the 2 hrs. It worked really well for me.

Good Luck and stick with it... its worth it in the end.

[chuckley]

Ive got the same dilemma as u OP, but people keep telling me to learn automatic as most centres teach in automatics...

the whole thing baffles me :(

[Diamond78]

chuckley, try manaul as you will probaly find it really easy.Where I live most are manual but i am doing automatic.If you pass in manual then you can drive both but if you pass in an automatic your only allowed to drive and automatic.Im not an expert on cars but i have been told automatics are more expensive than manuals-not that I can afford a car but I am hoping oneday i will as I will have to save from my money that i stop smoking with, it will take me atleast a year.

princesspoppypop is right in the pc cd rom things, i used them and studies and i also read the books.When on the bus I looked at the road signs and road markings and tried to work along that way to.So when your out look at the road signs, road markins ect as it will help you.

One tip about the theory,they can ask you the same question twice but in a different way which can be confusing,remember to take your time, dont rush and read the question properly.All the best oh and i had my lesson yday, it was weird and i felt a nervous wreck lol as its been months since my last lesson-dont make the same mistake as me by stopping and starting lessons as it knocks your confidence.

[chuckley]

chuckley, try manaul as you will probaly find it really easy.Where I live most are manual but i am doing automatic.If you pass in manual then you can drive both but if you pass in an automatic your only allowed to drive and automatic.Im not an expert on cars but i have been told automatics are more expensive than manuals-not that I can afford a car but I am hoping oneday i will as I will have to save from my money that i stop smoking with, it will take me atleast a year.

princesspoppypop is right in the pc cd rom things, i used them and studies and i also read the books.When on the bus I looked at the road signs and road markings and tried to work along that way to.So when your out look at the road signs, road markins ect as it will help you.

One tip about the theory,they can ask you the same question twice but in a different way which can be confusing,remember to take your time, dont rush and read the question properly.All the best oh and i had my lesson yday, it was weird and i felt a nervous wreck lol as its been months since my last lesson-dont make the same mistake as me by stopping and starting lessons as it knocks your confidence.thanks soooooooooooooo much for clearin that up! :D

[Diamond78]

Thats ok chuckley-you wil be fine, just enjoy and let us know how you get on

[Oldernotwiser]

I needed to pass my test really quickly when my husband lost his licence. In the past I hadn't got on at all well with manuals and had actually given up on the whole idea but I passed my test after about 8 lessons in an automatic(and other practice.) After a couple of years I wanted to hire cars abroad on holiday so I took and passed my manual test after about 6 lessons.

Learning and taking your test in an automatic doesn't preclude driving a manual at a later date. I felt that I mastered all the skills except gear changing the first time round and then added these skills on later to pass my manual test when I needed to. I'm sure that it would've taken me far longer (and cost far more) if I'd wanted to drive a manual straight off. If it hadn't been for holidays I wouldn't have bothered with my manual test and I still drive an automatic by choice.

[Diamond78]

well done oldernotwiser.Thats what I am going to do.Once i pass my automatic and have got a car and driven a while,I will do a few lessons in manual and then hopefully will do a test and get a licence in manual.

My downfall is I have no one to help me out as in private practise,I have 8 lessons left from my block of 10 that i paid for.It cost me £230-dont think i can afford many more lessons after that.Over the years I have started and stopped and dont want to do that again.Even my driving instructor said with the amount of lessons i have had he thought Id be a bit better-that upset me and knocked my confidence a bit-but not a lot I can do as dont know anyone with an autmatic.I struggle with the manouvers,reverse into a corner and the one when you have to reverse behind a car and the 3 point turn.

[tomstickland]

I think it's better to start with a manual. Maybe a little more work up front, but worth it in the end.

[BrandNewDay]

Automatics are not that bad as many people think. It is definitely easier and faster to learn in automatics. Most people only drive their own cars, so you're unlikely to face any real problem.

Of course the choice is yours. Entire USA drives automatics, they all can't be wrong :)

I'm an American who learned how to drive on a manual! :D

I would recommend learning on a manual. Yes, the learning curve is higher, but then you're set from then on.

[BrandNewDay]

well done oldernotwiser.Thats what I am going to do.Once i pass my automatic and have got a car and driven a while,I will do a few lessons in manual and then hopefully will do a test and get a licence in manual.

My downfall is I have no one to help me out as in private practise,I have 8 lessons left from my block of 10 that i paid for.It cost me £230-dont think i can afford many more lessons after that.Over the years I have started and stopped and dont want to do that again.Even my driving instructor said with the amount of lessons i have had he thought Id be a bit better-that upset me and knocked my confidence a bit-but not a lot I can do as dont know anyone with an autmatic.I struggle with the manouvers,reverse into a corner and the one when you have to reverse behind a car and the 3 point turn.

Wait. You're saying you intend to do the test TWICE?! Don't do it. The test is hard. And, that has nothing to do with shifting gears. The test is hard because they'll fail you for not looking in your review mirror at some random moment. Let me put it this way: the guy who conducted my test told me that HE failed the test when he started to train to be an examiner. Your average Brit would likely fail the test if they had to take it right now.

Just learn to drive a manual. Once you get it down - the clutch and shifting - it will become second nature. People don't fail the test over gear shifting, but because they didn't signal a turn or some little thing.

You'll pass the test because your instructor will show you how to do it. It has nothing to do with changing gears.

[BrandNewDay]

Entire USA has 50" waists too :rotfl:

No, we don't.

(30" waist and fantastically straight teeth. Thankyouverymuch.)

[flutsy]

yup definately go for manual. automatic cars are harder to find and you may end up paying more.

i found it easier to learn as an adult (i learnt when i was 17 too but never took test). Because you've been a passenger for a while you should have much more of an understanding of the road. ie you know which way you have to look on a roundabout?!

Pay loads of attention when you are a passage. think about what you would be thinking as a driver. start studying for your theory test now - but also start practical. Take it slow and they will build your confidense no end. I also found it was better to take 2 hour lessons rather than one because it give your head more chance to get over the shock of driving a car (when you start learning) and then you take more in time (when youve got more confidense).

Driving is all about confidense and road awareness. The learning bit is easy. Jump straight into a manual and do it!

We all know you can pass :)

[flutsy]

oh and a little secret - using the gear stick is one of the first things you do when learning to drive and suprisingly easy - it is not as easy when going from automatic.

[Oldernotwiser]

Wait. You're saying you intend to do the test TWICE?! Don't do it. The test is hard. And, that has nothing to do with shifting gears. The test is hard because they'll fail you for not looking in your review mirror at some random moment. Let me put it this way: the guy who conducted my test told me that HE failed the test when he started to train to be an examiner. Your average Brit would likely fail the test if they had to take it right now.

Just learn to drive a manual. Once you get it down - the clutch and shifting - it will become second nature. People don't fail the test over gear shifting, but because they didn't signal a turn or some little thing.

You'll pass the test because your instructor will show you how to do it. It has nothing to do with changing gears.

Well, as one of the few people here who's actually done it, I have to say it wasn't particularly hard at all! I suppose if you're one of those people who ignores everything you've learnt as soon as you pass your test, then it would be more difficult but I respected my first instructor and assumed that the things I'd learnt to do (like looking in my mirror regularly) had been to make me a better driver, rather than just to help me pass my test. Personally I think that everybody should have to take a test every 5/10 years, but that's another thread entirely!

[Oldernotwiser]

well done oldernotwiser.Thats what I am going to do.Once i pass my automatic and have got a car and driven a while,I will do a few lessons in manual and then hopefully will do a test and get a licence in manual.

My downfall is I have no one to help me out as in private practise,I have 8 lessons left from my block of 10 that i paid for.It cost me £230-dont think i can afford many more lessons after that.Over the years I have started and stopped and dont want to do that again.Even my driving instructor said with the amount of lessons i have had he thought Id be a bit better-that upset me and knocked my confidence a bit-but not a lot I can do as dont know anyone with an autmatic.I struggle with the manouvers,reverse into a corner and the one when you have to reverse behind a car and the 3 point turn.

Are you in a position to buy a car before you pass your test? I knew that I had to be able to drive so I bought an elderly automatic as soon as I started my lessons. People are much more likely to be prepared to sit with you if it's not in their car! I found that it was not only a great motivator but also made my first solo drives after passing my test much easier as I was already familiar with driving that car.

[caliston]

A friend got back into learning to drive after years of cycling everywhere, despite failing her test 6 times when she was 18. By this I mean cycling in the road, with the cars, not on cyclepaths or in the park. She says that cycling was a big help because it was like practicing your theory test (you watch how the cars behave), and because you're in the road you're a lot more aware of what's going on. It also helped her become more assertive (she was failed several times for undue hesitancy) - when you're cycling on busy roads you can't dither about when you're going to turn right and if there's no space for a car to pass you you have to assertively occupy that road space.

So maybe try cycling in town as free experience of being in traffic?

[Diamond78]

I cannot afford a car yet, i wish i could as i would of got one and then that way could of had more practise.I will do lotto who knows might get a few bob lol where would be the best place to buy a cheap automatic?Ive been told they are not cheap but im sure you can get a 2nd handone at a reasonable price.I doubt id be able to get one for under£500

[BrandNewDay]

Well, as one of the few people here who's actually done it, I have to say it wasn't particularly hard at all! I suppose if you're one of those people who ignores everything you've learnt as soon as you pass your test, then it would be more difficult but I respected my first instructor and assumed that the things I'd learnt to do (like looking in my mirror regularly) had been to make me a better driver, rather than just to help me pass my test. Personally I think that everybody should have to take a test every 5/10 years, but that's another thread entirely!

Wow. I just read your post and was enlightened. I realized that you were right and I have humbly decided to be a better driver. The world needs more people like you in it.

[mrmitchell78]

I'm 29 and I am learning how to drive - I would definitely recommend learning in a manual. Before my lessons I was sure I would never be able to master gear changes, but it is really quite simple. As many people have said, it is better to learn in a manual so you can drive manual or automatic because if you simply learn in an automatic that's all you can drive in.

When I pass my test I may get an automatic but I will have the choice.

Don't fear the gears!

I took my theory test on Saturday and passed!:j Not really relevant I know but I just wanted to say it!

[theshadow]

congrats well done mrmitchell78 (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=260311)
info from you guys just gets better thanks :)

Sent off for provy few days back so guess wait now and read highway codes etc install pc software inc these cool driving Simulator for PC :)

Diamond good luck on ur lessons

[princesspoppypop]

I cannot afford a car yet, i wish i could as i would of got one and then that way could of had more practise.I will do lotto who knows might get a few bob lol where would be the best place to buy a cheap automatic?Ive been told they are not cheap but im sure you can get a 2nd handone at a reasonable price.I doubt id be able to get one for under£500

Ive had a look on the autotrader website and you can get an automatic for under £500 but they have done well over 100k which is quite bad for an automatic.
Also they dont appear to have a very long MOT either.

Do you have someone who could take you out for practise? ...this person needs to have held a licence for 3 years.

The manouveres will click eventually, take it slowly and calmly.

Good Luck:D

[theshadow]

getting there ~:)