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Lessons and used cars
Hey, I hope you knowledgeable people can help me.
I'm looking to start my driving lessons in November, and hopefully pass my theory in January before doing my practical test in around May. I know this is six months, but I'm hoping I can do it (Owned a scooter, have road sense, have hada few lessons before)
I'm 26, so under 25 insurance isn't a problem for me. I'm hoping people know of any reputable instructors in the Portsmouth area, and also the cars they had or would have had as their first car. Currently I'm thinking of a used Ka or something similar, so experiences of them would be good too.
Hope this isn't too big an ask.
I'm looking to start my driving lessons in November, and hopefully pass my theory in January before doing my practical test in around May. I know this is six months, but I'm hoping I can do it (Owned a scooter, have road sense, have hada few lessons before)
I'm 26, so under 25 insurance isn't a problem for me. I'm hoping people know of any reputable instructors in the Portsmouth area, and also the cars they had or would have had as their first car. Currently I'm thinking of a used Ka or something similar, so experiences of them would be good too.
Hope this isn't too big an ask.
** Total debt: £6950.82 ± May NSDs 1/10 **
** Fat Bum Shrinking: -7/56lbs **
**SPC 2012 #1498 -£152 and 1499 ***
**SPC 2012 #1498 -£152 and 1499 ***
I do it all because I'm scared.
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Comments
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Lots of people's first car is the same size as the car they learnt to drive in.
So I would wait until you have started lessons before getting a car.
Oh and not everyone learns to drive in a small car. I know a few people who have learnt in estate cars and there are driving schools around me (I'm not in Portsmouth) who use medium size models.I'm not cynical I'm realistic
(If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)0 -
...Currently I'm thinking of a used Ka or something similar, so experiences of them would be good too...
The Ford Ka (the original one, not the new Fiat one) is a great little first car. Simple & cheap to run. It's simplicity means it is less likely to go wrong, and if it does, being Ford it is cheap & easy to repair with parts readily available usually off the shelf or within 24 hours at worst.
Yes its a bit basic from an engineering viewpoint (and small, check the boot - you'll probably get more in the glovebox!) but I guess you wont be wanting to go drifting in it if you've only just passed your test. Save that for when you trade up to a Nissan Skyline."Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
Don't want a Skyline. I don't like them. I'd rather get an old Mini that's been restored but that I'm waiting for.** Total debt: £6950.82 ± May NSDs 1/10 **** Fat Bum Shrinking: -7/56lbs **
**SPC 2012 #1498 -£152 and 1499 ***
I do it all because I'm scared.
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6 months is a good time span to learn driving. Most people learn everything in that time span, and they are raedy for the practical test. Most people tend to do their theory test a few weeks before the practical test. So maybe you could do it in April or May.
A list of driving instructors in Portsmouth for you to choose from: http://www.driving-schools-directory.co.uk/instructors/lessons/portsmouth0 -
Both my lads passed 1st time with BSM, not sure I would recommend them though. If you have any no claims from your scooter, Churchill, Direct Line and no doubt some others will accept this towards car insurance. My son saved £700 using 1 years NCB from his "ped".0
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Don't want a Skyline. I don't like them. I'd rather get an old Mini that's been restored but that I'm waiting for.
The old mini is a quite a good first car too. My driving instructor had one - brilliant fun to drive (but the driving instructor didn't seem to appreciate me driving it that way much ... but he scared the wits out of me when he drove me back from the test!)
The problem is they are all getting on a bit and they did tend to rust.
If you like the mini, you'll probably like the Ka too. The Ka is luxury compared to the mini, and much safer too should you have an accident."Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
Going to learn to drive through a private instructor instead of the big companies (e.g. BSM, AA, etc...) is better in terms of price.0
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Going to learn to drive through a private instructor instead of the big companies (e.g. BSM, AA, etc...) is better in terms of price.
... and in terms of tuition
At least you usually get the same instructor (especially if a one man band set-up), and they are fully trained/tested.
Many instuctors learn their trade with the likes of BSM (so learners may not have a fully trained instructor next to them), and then go off to earn money themselves once they've got all the exams"Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
You could of course learn in your own car if you wishedSo I would wait until you have started lessons before getting a car.
The theory test isn't hard - not sure about the new case study though - and it would be best to get it out of the way asap - just do the examples and once you feel confident book the next available one6 months is a good time span to learn driving. Most people learn everything in that time span, and they are raedy for the practical test. Most people tend to do their theory test a few weeks before the practical test. So maybe you could do it in April or May.
A list of driving instructors in Portsmouth for you to choose from: http://www.driving-schools-directory.co.uk/instructors/lessons/portsmouth
Oh - I had thought that BSM would send the same person too - seems strange to be having a different person who doesn't know your skillset each week... and in terms of tuition
At least you usually get the same instructor (especially if a one man band set-up), and they are fully trained/tested.
Many instuctors learn their trade with the likes of BSM (so learners may not have a fully trained instructor next to them), and then go off to earn money themselves once they've got all the exams0 -
The theory test isn't hard - not sure about the new case study though - and it would be best to get it out of the way asap - just do the examples and once you feel confident book the next available one
Oh - I had thought that BSM would send the same person too - seems strange to be having a different person who doesn't know your skillset each week
I've had a look at the sample case study questions (http://www.2pass.co.uk/casestudytheorytest.htm). The questions are worded exactly the same from the theory test preparation materials. The only difference is just a few paragraphs added to the question. No point reading the case study, just move on to the the question, and answer the question.
I haven't learnt driving with BSM or the like, so wouldn't know about the instructors.
Even though BSM would have a different person each time a person practice driving, the person would have a 'driver's log' anyway. He/she could show the instructor the log, and then carry on from there. By the looking at the log, the instructor will know how well the person has been driving so far.
Private instructors seem not to use the log, but the BSM and the like use them I believe.0
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