Great Ways To Cut The Cost Of Learning To Drive Hunt

mh1923

While buying lessons in bulk saves money, I'd not recommend buying multiple lessons from an instructor you don't know. Make sure you get on well with your instructor before you tie up your money.

I had 5 lessons with someone who made me nervous, was protective of her car, never gave positive feedback, and generally battered my confidence. After those lessons were up, I found another instructor by recommendation and progressed rapidly. Unfortunately not a BMS instructor, so I can't take advantage of the Tesco vouchers, but I'm happy to pay full price for my gem of an instructor!

comments like that are unhelpful, lone teen girls lone teen boys , lone middle aged women lone middle aged men whats the difference

The difference is that girls are more physically vulnerable than boys, and that middle aged women, unlike teenage girls, have experience with men and know when something's not right. Of course most driving instructors are safe. But that doesn't mean taking chances. Most people aren't thieves, but I still always lock my car.

-Michelle

randombob

Hey all,

Im planning on learning to drive soon. Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for instructors in North London (e.g. Barnet, Finchley, Potters Bar) and/or Bath (in Avon) - I live at both at different times of the year.

Also, is there any concesus out there about certain regions being harder to pass in than others?

Cheers for the help guys!
Chris

shengen

tonyj100 wrote:

Hi

Sorry but I have to agree with Dread. The highway code may explain what road sign means, but it doesnt spell out the implications of the sign. For example a hump back bridge has implecations for any driver, rider. A cattle sign, especially if you are a motorcylist has implecations not spelled out in the highway code. A good instructor would pass on this knowledge and experience, most dont seem to.

No offence meant

Tony

There is a world of difference between what a sign means which is unequivocal and the implications of that sign, a crossroads sign means a crossroads coming up plain and simple the implication of that is to loook to either side for emerging traffic, english is a language full of pitfalls.

glatisanta

Hello,

Don't know if this will be useful to anyone, but Lidl are offering AA Learner Driver Kits for £9.99 from Thursday 13th:

"Contents:
- Driving Test Practical and the Highway Code book
- Driving Test Theory book
- Magnetic L-plates
- PC Route Planner CD
- Learner Driver Checklist
* 41% cheaper compared to recommended retail price £16.99
Price per kit"

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060413.p.AA_Learner_Driver_Kit

Bests.

dawnydee73

glatisanta wrote:

Hello,

Don't know if this will be useful to anyone, but Lidl are offering AA Learner Driver Kits for £9.99 from Thursday 13th:

"Contents:
- Driving Test Practical and the Highway Code book
- Driving Test Theory book
- Magnetic L-plates
- PC Route Planner CD
- Learner Driver Checklist
* 41% cheaper compared to recommended retail price £16.99
Price per kit"

Just watch them Magnetic L -plates, mine blew off while we were driving

prender

Does anyone know of a good instructor in Leeds?

I had lessons before from an independent instructor who was a really nice guy but over time began turning up later, finishing earlier and spending a lot of time parked 'explaining' things instead of letting me just practice them.

PhoneGuru

Anybody thinking of doing Pass Plus, forget it, it costs too much. Take an advanced driving course with RoSPA or the IAM for < £85.

The IAM recently released research from Brunel University on the benefits of advanced driving. Your more likely to keep your no claims discount for longer.

Have a look at http://www.advanced-driving.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2655

size3shoes

shellbell wrote:

Have scary teenaged (17) daughter who wants to learn - am struggling with the potential cost of insuring her on my car - (over 2 grand) - not sure if this is the right forum but any tips for a) reducing the cost of insurance and b)how to instill in her that its a potential wmd would be very welcome. Thanks to previous tips about lessons.

My 18 year old is currently learning to drive and has bought herself a car. I found the best deal on Diamond, around £900 fully comp. I elected for a low excess - could have got it cheaper with a bigger excess. Interestingly, the quote was lower once I added myself as a named driver and even lower with my husband as well. I also took the option of paying for 10 months but getting a years no claims.

hampshirebabe

I've been an instructor for about 4 years now and I'd like to add my bit. First I definitely agree that getting the right instructor is the most important point, financially and safety wise. It's amazing how many people stay with an instructor they dont get on with, and you wont learn much if you dont enjoy your lessons. "tarting around" is one way to do it, but just having a chat on the phone can give you a good idea if your going to get on.
Secondly I definitely dont agree that you get what you pay for. I work for a local firm, with about 14 instructors. We all have our own cars, mines a fair few years old, but I've had no problems any one else may have, even brand new cars brake down, and my company have a spare car if we need it, and it's not that hard to hire one for a couple of days, so no pupils should be let down in that respect.
Like I say, my car wasn't too expensive to buy, and my franchise fee is a lot less than bsm, AA cost, so my hourly fee's are a lot less. I have good pass rates, although as has been mentioned, these aren't always a brilliant standard mark, quite a few people fail purely down to nerves, which you cant do much about.
I also agree about buying a cheap small car with cheapish insurance for extra practice. Regular lessons with an instructor are important, but driving (once they're safe enough) in their own car improves their confidence.
One other minor thing is about newer instructors versus older more experienced ones. There are lots of instructors who've been around for years who are great, but there are also those who've doing it for years and like any job, are a bit bored with it now, and who dont always keep up with the changes. So with a newer instructor you get the latest teaching methods and the exuberance of someone new and keen.
Probably the biggest money saver though is keep up with it regularly. Again it's been mentioned, so many people start and stop, then start up again and stop, and dont get anywhere. And also, do it while your young and invincible!

jazzyjustlaw

I used https://www.2pass.co.uk to pass my test first time