Starting To Drive

Nitro89

Ok, I have my provisional licsence, and I don't know where to go from there, I am totally oblivious as to what to do next. I found that BSM are doing five driving lessons for £89, is that good? What's a good price? How many hours do you need at least to take your test?

cally6008

Did you see the Daily Express yesterday ? They were offering one free driving lesson to everyone. I think the website listed was something along the lines of " freedrivinglesson.co.uk " or "firstfreedrivinglesson.co.uk"

cowbutt

Nitro89 wrote: »

Ok, I have my provisional licsence, and I don't know where to go from there, I am totally oblivious as to what to do next.

Take lessons, take the theory test, take the practical test. (Hopefully), pass. :-)

I found that BSM are doing five driving lessons for £89, is that good?

Not too bad; I paid £10 per hour lesson with a private instructor in 1996. The big driving schools do tend to get a fair bit of criticism, though - mainly for putting people forward too early (thus damaging their confidence, and as a result taking more and more lessons to get to a competence). Ask around and see if you can get a recommendation for a private instructor in your area.

What's a good price? How many hours do you need at least to take your test?

The rule of thumb is an hour for every year of your life, but I took about 36 hours aged 22. I did, however, pass first time.

Mini_Bear

i learnt to drive in the south east at 23, i think my lessons were about £17/hr but if you block booked 10 or more hours you got a discount. OP will you also have your own car to practice in with a parent/competent driver? i did this (much cheaper than lessons). i think i had perhaps 20 hours of lessons and passed first time. much of this tho was down to going out every evenin in my own car, with dad as passenger and building up my confidence and road knowledge of the test routes.
Good luck!

KatieShopstoomuch

My lessons were £23 an hour. but worth it my instructor was great and i passed first time. And i was the most nervous learner ever (still am) I passed six months ago..... i'm 22 and it took me 40 lessons.....so 40 hours i did book my test after 30 hours but knew i wasn't ready so i cancelled it. Best of luck

choosy_al

Hi all,

My first post! - but I'd like to think that this is [majorly] my area of expertise!

I know that it might be obvious, but cheap driving lessons aren't alway the best & can cost you more in the long run.

I am an independant instructor myself and also run a company allowing pupils to get quotes from several different instructors at once (don't think I'm allowed to name it on the forum!).

Although many good instructors offer some deals to let pupils experience their quality, many of the best don't need to.

Also, it might be worth asking if the instructor who will teach you will be fully qualified (many thousand UK instructors are working on a 'trainee' license).

An advantage of independant instructors is that you can ask them specific questions about their experience/quals/pass rate etc. whereas some larger schools have call centres, and you don't get to ask specifics.

Pro with bigger schools include a short notice replacement car if the instructor's breaks down the day before test!

Hope all that makes sense.

Alan.

Caroline73_2

I would ask everyone you know locally, and get their opinions. Go with the best not the cheapest.

I went with an instructor who was my brothers best friends mum. She was qualified but she wasn't a good teacher. I was so nervous and she did nothing to help me. I didn't know that she had her own brakes and she never told me!!! I couldn't change as my mum wouldn't let me in case it upset my brother.

hemophobic

The FIRST thing you should do is book your theory then revise for it before you start your lessons. Then it is out of the way and you don't have to worry about it. My gf spend hundreds of £s on lessons but never spent enough time revising for the theory and didn't pass (she tried 4 times).

The best thing to do it 2 hour lessons every week then you don't have to spend a lot of time getting used to it again. In total I had 20 hours of lessons and my dad taught me for the rest (a week). Passed both my theory and practical first time, when I was 17. I am 18 now.

briona

hemophobic wrote: »

The FIRST thing you should do is book your theory then revise for it before you start your lessons. Then it is out of the way and you don't have to worry about it.

Bear in mind that a pass on the theory test expires after two years so in the event that you do not pass a driving test within that period, you will have to pay to re-sit the theory...

GrammarGirl

I learnt with BSM and found them really good. I think you have to be comfortable and happy with your instructor first and foremost. Feeling comfortable will make it much easier and you'll be able to relax and concentrate on what you're doing.

I paid £36 for 2 hour lessons and passed first time in 6 months. If you can, get insured on a car and get someone to teach you in your spare time. It can be anyone, as long as they are over 21 and have been driving for 3+ years, and they're also insured on the car. I taught my sister!