Driving lessons - HELP!?!?!

lazymoezy

I got my provisional license and barely know how to drive, the odd drive in my firends car which is not right I know. I've been thinking of taking lessons as I know I'll need a few before the actual test...I havnt done my theory and been told by friends to take the theory a few driving lessons after as I will gain more knowledge of the road.

I just checked AA and they charge £27 p/h ex. the £2 discount. That is way too much, Im looking for somehting like £20 p/h and there are many around who do it ofcourse but does anyone know someone very good? Any tips?

Im new to all this. I had a mate who only took 4-5 lessons and passed his test after that because of his experience, I dont have no experience and I reckon I could get the odd lesson from my older brother but first need expert help.

Any advise is welcome...I live in Waterloo, SE1.

Thanks,

-MoE-

troshy

have a look at who your friends had, as usually private instructors (ones who arent part of AA or RAC) usually charge more around the £20 mark

colin79666

remember that you are effectively employing the instructor
so if things don't work out with one you are free to move to another

nothing beats professional tuition with a few practice sessions with a mate as an extra

My lessons were £20 each with a private instructor - I had about 25 lessons and passed first time. Remember though - passing takes time. There is no point thinking you can take the test after 5 lessons just cos your mate did.

lisa_75

BSM in my area charge £22 per hour, but give a £2 per hour discount for students. They usually do lessons in 2 hour blocks, so I am paying £40 per week.

Just checked for you and BSM charge £25.50 per hour in your area, so with the student discount you would pay £23.50 per hour.

Remember, running a car is VERY expensive. If you can't afford £27 for an hour’s lesson every week, you are not going to be able to afford to run a car.

Most people take an average of 70 hours to pass, 40 hours of lessons and 30 hours practising with a friend or relative. Also the older you are the longer it takes to pass.

Savvy_Sue

I don't know where it is, but somewhere there's a whole discussion about how to get the best VFM out of driving lessons. Martin sometimes puts a link to it in his weekly emails because it's a past 'Hunt', so probably worth having a hunt for it in previous emails (link in the top lh corner of your screen if you don't get them regularly!)

lazymoezy

Ok. Thanks, its not if I can afford it or not, its about saving as much as I can because there really isnt any difference between AA/BSM instructures and private ones, I personally know this as one of the instructurs my friends used now works for AA but he also does private lessons for certain people, gonna try my luck with him!

Thanks for the advise...should be getting a xmas job plus got £300+ coming in from EMA.

-MoE-

marshall2k

Most people take an average of 70 hours to pass

:eek: Surely not! Myself and others took around 30 hours. Not a big sample I know but I really think double your age is a bit of a closer estimate

lisa_75

marshall2k wrote:

:eek: Surely not! Myself and others took around 30 hours. Not a big sample I know but I really think double your age is a bit of a closer estimate

"Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice".

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=171

lellie

I think the average is around 45 hours these days - it's going up all the time as they make it harder.

Get a local instructor - do not go with BSM or the AA. You should support local instructors and they're usually cheaper and better - often BSM use underqualified and less experienced instructors and they overcharge.

For your theory test - Try and have a practice before you go - in manchester the library service have the DVD-Roms which you can borrow - or central library has computers dedicated to the practice DVD. It will help you - especially when you know what the hazards will be like.

lazymoezy

Thanks. Got some money now, applied for a few jobs and got a number of an instructure who is supposedly very good; Will trust my friends who said he is good.

Thanks for your help, everything is looking bright now!

-MoE-

marshall2k

Eek! Can't doubt your source there lisa_75! I take it back completely.