Driving Lessons - Lots of questions.

jd82

It really is a question about how long is a piece of string. Everybody is different, some people can pass with 10 lessons, some people need 100+. I know several people who have needed at least 100 hours.

DaveF327

alexlyne wrote: »

Are there any large carparks that are open and quiet on a sunday afternoon that you can take him out on - even prior to his birthday?

Please be aware that insurance is a legal requirement on supermarket car parks as they're land to which the public has access. You'll be lucky to find an insurance company willing to insure someone before their licence kicks in on their 17th birthday.

leoren

Quite a few people have given you an indication or the number of hours. A member of my family is an instructor and he says a realistic average is 30-40 hours but it depends on the learner and how much practice they can get inbetween lessons.

BTW I understand that the practical test is changing from October so it's difficult to know how it will affect the average number of lessons needed

anewman

DaveF327 wrote: »

Please be aware that insurance is a legal requirement on supermarket car parks as they're land to which the public has access. You'll be lucky to find an insurance company willing to insure someone before their licence kicks in on their 17th birthday.

My instructor always said that supermarkets can object to learners using the land as they own it. Therefore he couldn't take me to them to practice bay parking.

leoren

anewman wrote: »

My instructor always said that supermarkets can object to learners using the land as they own it. Therefore he couldn't take me to them to practice bay parking.

They do...I've taken mum shopping in the driving school car (I've long since passed btw). A tescos secrity guard was at the car window before I'd reversed halfway into the space to tell me that I couldn't use the car park to practice in! I said I'm not, I've come to get shopping....he huffed and sulked off, without so much as an ok or sorry!:mad:

Leory

leoren wrote: »

They do...I've taken mum shopping in the driving school car (I've long since passed btw). A tescos secrity guard was at the car window before I'd reversed halfway into the space to tell me that I couldn't use the car park to practice in! I said I'm not, I've come to get shopping....he huffed and sulked off, without so much as an ok or sorry!:mad:

ive had this lots whilst instructing too. They cant see that it is in their interest to have people learn how to park in bays....and as an added bonus a newly qualified driver will prob do their shopping there as they feel comfortable!

Strider590

Leory wrote: »

ive had this lots whilst instructing too. They cant see that it is in their interest to have people learn how to park in bays....and as an added bonus a newly qualified driver will prob do their shopping there as they feel comfortable!

But if they damage another car, the owner might take exception to that and never shop there again.:(

daveboy

Some more overtaking fodder on the nations roads......just what you need on a road with bends in it! Joke folks! :rotfl:

I didn't pass until my early 20s solely because I didn't have much interest in driving at 17. But I am a very firm believer in saying that the law should not allow anyone to drive until the age of 21. (Yes you can shag and smoke and drink at 16 or 18 but a car is a lethal weapon in the wrong hands).

Personally I found independent instructors better. It took me 5 tests to pass because I got stupidly nervous every time I had a test and made silly mistakes. I did go near BSM once right at the start but found the one-man-band instructor better - maybe it was just me but I was more comfortable.

A practical test is £62 now whereas it was around £40 when I took mine in 2001. So don't rush in to booking the test. I know someone who has just failed their third test because they get nervous like I did. £200 just in test charges. There is no rush and trying to do it too fast creates unnecessary pressure and wastes money.

sassy_one

How many driving lessons one needs to be at a correct standard to take a test varies and as some may need 50, some may only need 5.

Many driving schools offer a discount, which can be huge if you pre book a number of lessons at teh same time you book the first, as near me, you can get 5 lessons for £80, each lesson is 30 minutes each.

However, it at all possible I would say it would be best to get some general practice and insight on driving from a family member or friend, even if it's just showing you where controls are etc as this itself can save you 2/3 lessons.

DaveF327

Strider590 wrote: »

But if they damage another car, the owner might take exception to that and never shop there again.:(

Extremely unlikely as driving school cars have dual controls and any supervising driver should take action before a collision. That said, any instructor worth his salt would be sure his pupil was competent (from practice elsewhere) that he could control the car before even attempting a manoeuvre next to a real car.