Driving Lessons

newbie007_2

The dsa somewhere recommends something like 45 hours of tuition with a instructor and about 25 with others - friends/family to be test standard. Everyone is different so it would depends on the person how quick they can learn and drive to test standard. Becci for your sake I hope it wouldn't take you 50 lessons, but I will not be surprise if you end up with 50 lessons before u pass. This is because its not easy at all to pass.

#From October 2010 the dsa is adding something extra to the test its 'Independent driving' - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_188282
I cannot help but think part of this is to bring in extra revenues, more failure rates.

Sandoval

Beccci wrote: »

that was what i was thinking! if you need that many lessons then your better off NOT driving

Or spending the money getting that labrador to pass the test and using him as a chauffeur...

daveyjp

Yes it costs about £1,000. Until you get in a car you don't know how long it will take and as you admit you have never attempted to drive one. My dad had two learners who he had to be honest with and advise them to learn in an automatic as after 20 lessons they still couldn't master gearchanging.

A lesson is about £20 and you may need 30-40 (£600-800), theory test £31, practical test £62/75, lesson before test and hire of car for test £40. That's £740-£940 assuming you pass. I also recommend Pass Plus which is another 6 lessons after you pass - £120.

mikey72

Can't see the point of pass plus anymore.

Angelic

The company I wanted to use now charges £22 per lesson. The second company charges £18. I'd budget at least £800 but i've no help so extra lessons with a friend/family member isn't doable.

newbie007_2

Angelic wrote: »

The company I wanted to use now charges £22 per lesson. The second company charges £18. I'd budget at least £800 but i've no help so extra lessons with a friend/family member isn't doable.

Cheap isnt always bad, it depends on the instructor. Perhaps you can give the £18 a go for 5 lessons, if you find the instuctor is good for u then continue. Many people need to realise its should not need to be a branded driving school to go with or more expensive ones, it depends on how good the individual instructor is.

Angelic

newbie007 wrote: »

Cheap isnt always bad, it depends on the instructor. Perhaps you can give the £18 a go for 5 lessons, if you find the instuctor is good for u then continue. Many people need to realise its should not need to be a branded driving school to go with or more expensive ones, it depends on how good the individual instructor is.

Both schools are none brand names but the £22 company had a great site and someone mentioned it to me on another site. I still have to wait until I start lessons (health reasons) but a £3/4 difference times 35 ish is too much to ignore! If only I was rich:rotfl:

newbie007_2

Having a good website is the marketing tool use effectively by that company, the cheaper company may not have a good website but it doesn't mean they are not good. As you rightly pointed out £4x35 adds up (if the tuition is of similar quality).

Inactive

Beccci wrote: »

A £1000!!!!:shocked::huh: that is absolutly crazy money!!! that would be like 50 odd lessons! I am definately not going to spend that on learning how to drive

You may well have no choice I'm afraid, it is all down to the natural ability of the individual.

Nobody can tell you how many lessons you may require until your natural skills have been assessed.

skiddlydiddly

My 1st lesson was with view to taking a 1 week intensive course advertised in the local paper.Halfway into the lesson the instructor received a call and asked me to pull over then chatted to someone for 10 minutes.I didn't bother with him again after that.
I got the next instructor out of the same paper, just from a tiny advert and never looked back.The instructor was friendly, patient and we got on like a house on fire.He then went on to give lessons to the rest of my family as they got old enough and they all felt the same.

To me, the most important thing was that he was patient and didn't make me feel nervous.Its quite daunting hitting the roads for the 1st time and the last thing you need is more pressure.

There's no reason to think that an instructor from one of the franchises is any better or worse than an independant really.Nothing that can justify the extra cost associated that's for sure.Just try a few until you find one you connect with.