Great Ways To Cut The Cost Of Learning To Drive Hunt

whist

jazzyjustlaw wrote:

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

I agree. The 2pass website is great. Lots of info , tips etc.

I was with a private instructor last year who I found really annoying, always cracking unfunny jokes. Lesson was £22 for 50 mins and had to take the previous student home etc .. . I then had another private instructor who I couldn't understand half of what he said. I finally decided to go with BSM after wasting a lot of money on those instructors . It works out cheaper because I pay £47 for 2 full hours and I've got my test scheduled for the 24th of April.

Just to say that I have no problems with private instructors because I was with one 10yrs ago in Cambridge while I was on industrial placement. 2 of my friends passed with him first time and he was excellent but I had to go back to University and couldn't afford lessons.

Anyways, I'm really hoping to crack it first time so wish me good luck!

rappius

I note that most of your replies are about learner drivers but as a qualified driving instructor and Fleet driving instructor I can assure you that we would all benefit from time to time from the input of someone like myself to address our habits. We all build bad habits over the years and if we want to drive defensively and economically there is much we can learn. I suggest that you find a coach who can help you.

Kimberley

dawnydee73 wrote:

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

Don't the learner car have L-plates though I have books the theory test and driving the essential skills, both by DSA, is that all i need?

can anyone recoomend an instructor in the Bromley area?

Minerva69

I'm looking for an instructor in the Shipley/Bradford area of West Yorkshire who will teach in an automatic car. I'm really struggling to find one, does anyone know of anybody?

I posted on the "I wanna buy-it or do-it" forum and somebody pointed me to http://www.disableddrivingin-yorkshire.co.uk/index.html but I'm not disabled and I can't get hold of them anyway. I was supposedly on the waiting list for lessons with https://www.dtic.net but they've just told me they no longer do automatic lessons, even though they kept me waiting for 8 weeks :mad:

larochelleuk

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused about the Tesco Clubcard points - the website says you need £60.00 of them for 6 free lessons. Does that mean I need to spend £6000 in Tesco to get the driving lessons (promotions aside)?

xxR

ditzymuppet

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

Mine did too! Scared the pants off me as I was only doing 50 mph on my first ever dual carriageway in the car with my dad... (i.e not in the driving instructors car!) Because I drive my parent's Yaris, and the passenger can't see the speedo, he was getting v. freaked out that I was speeding.... I wasn't Just the stupid L plates flew off!!

I'd recommend spending the money on L plates that have a COMPLETELY magnetic back to them as they are impossible to accidentally let fly off!

Also, now that I've passed, I bought a pair of 'P' plates as I still felt very intimidated by other drivers, how are they to know that I've not been driving for a number of years, rather than passed my test a week ago?!! I've now found that drivers are more considerate towards me. This might be because I'm a girl... my brother didn't have P plates because our Policeman friend had mentioned how sometimes boy racers intimidate young male drivers with P plates, tailgating them etc.... Saying that, he was driving a Yaris Hardly the most masculine of cars!! (But fabulous little motors in my opinion!!!)

Regarding driving instructors, pay for a few lessons with an instructor to judge their teaching styles, and work out if they consider it appropriate to have a fag and food break in 2 hour lessons, drop you off 15 minutes early, swear at other road users whilst leaning out of the window, and to scream at you when you stalled and couldn't get the car to move.... Unfortunately I had the one lesson initially, then paid up for 10 more lessons..... I used to return home in tears, there is only so much I could take being insulted. Driving didn't come naturally until I got a recommendation from someone at Uni for the best ever driving instructor who was calm, patient, genuine and funny..... I passed my driving test second time round ( I mean honestly, why fail me for parallel parking and ending up in the middle of the road?! hahahaha!! ) and now although I'm a cautious driver (you won't catch me speeding, I don't want the points on my license!!) I'm gaining confidence in my skills

ditzy x

aav

So does anyone know of any good driving insrtucters in Southampton. I really want to earn how to drive but can't seem to find anyone.

Peakma

Hi all,I seem to of been learning to drive for years!I start kind of get o.k then get put off about finnishing off,perfecting the smoothness and manouveres! and stop for a while! Well I've got to do it now,I must persevere,I'm so close!
Anyhow I just found this page,if you look at the useful links in red at the bottom of the page theres some helpful info about the actual practical test,what exactly is asked of you etc.And some usefulprintouts to record your progress when driving with friends/relatives. I've not seen this before,and think it would be useful to everyone else whos learning so heres the link.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/LearningToDriveOrRideArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022529&chk=VQZ3U8

I might brave it now,and see when I can get a test date!I'm just not sure how to do it,I've not had any lessons for about a year,just been driving for the family as a learner,~I do need to perfect my manouveres,but a couple of hours practice and I should get it ,but not sure whether,to just book it and learn from failing(if I fail) will cost me abot £50 to do in my own car.....Or book a block of 10 hours tuition off a proffesional teacher for £180,and use that time to learn the test routes(would have to have 2 hours at once),perfect my driving to pass standard,do a mock test with him,to assaes my weaknesses ,and use his car for the test=£50 for that.

gillwright

Having spent lots of time researching this for my nearly 17 year old; http://www.youngmarmalade.co.uk/ is worth looking at as it does a complete package: lessons, test, the vehicle and insurance. (I haven't actually broken it down to see what it would cost independently but it sounds good). Also Quinn Direct are the cheapest I could find for insurance for 17 year olds

foreverstudent

I learnt to drive in Northern Ireland (as a student) almost 2 years ago but had to relocate to Melton Mowbray and took the test too early and failed mostly due to nerves. Also my instructor wasn't that good, he was friendly and relaxed but didn't explain technically how to do everything and used the dual controls without explain why. I felt like I wasn't doing the driving myself all the time and if I had been allowed to make some mistakes I would have learnt more that way. Anyway I am about to start learning again. Unfortunetly my theory test will expire before I can get started but that is my own fault! Can anyone recommend an instructor in the Melton Mowbray area?