Driving lessons, Do you get what you pay for ?

2tellyou

Learning to drive is expensive. Only way to lower the cost is to have one lesson a week and practice driving with a family member (or anyone prepared to do it). The standards are quite high therefore you need lots of practice to pass first time.I failed my first time but then i started learning with my sister every night for around 20 mins and passed. One a hour week learning with a instructor is not enough.

aqueoushumour01

you can usually find quite a few local instructors who give you the first lesson free so try a few of these to see if you like the instructors and the cars. Also gives you a couple of hours extra tuition. In my opinion go for an intensive course rather than a couple a week. Probably end up spending far less although obviously you'd have to pay up front. Save up the money first and then do this.

ekkygirl

Would agree word of mouth is by far the best way to chose an instructor. My son passed first time with a really chilled out instructor who was also my sisters instructor he was on the same wavelength and nothing fazed him. My son recommended him to all his mates and they have also passed quickly

greyster

I recommend an intensive course too.

It works out a lot cheaper because you dont spend your time re-remembering stuff.

Try the AA ... only national school with 100% green badge instructors.

This means they are qualified and not trainees (BSM instructors COULD be trainees).

Doesn't guarantee you a good instructor but improves your chance.

nicky7200

im starting to drive next friday, got my lesson book, is gona cost me a fortune, is £20 and hour n my instructor only does2 hour slots, so thats £40 every lesson. eek
xnickyx

button16

I'm currently learning £30 an hour and a half with a private school. He seems pretty good had about 30 lessons didn't go too well today as was almost 2 weeks since my last lesson.

mousegreatest388

I think two hour lessons are too much for concentration when you first start.
Similarly, I hated going out in the dark.

You would be better off with two one hour lessons.

From my experience, some instructors suit different students better.
Some instructors like a laugh and some are more like draconian teachers.

It is best to have one lesson and talk through how many lessons they think it will take and then decide.

Some of your friends should be able to recommend a suitable instructor.
Also if you book in advance some will give a discount if you can afford it.

Once you had a few lessons and are more confident, then you could consider going out with a family member. It also helps to practise your three point turns and reversing.

millie

My son passed his test 1st time in August after 6 weeks driving he had 3 lessons a week 18 in total and I went out with him on most of the other days for about 45 minutes. I was not very keen as you have very little control, and can see all the dangers you think they can't see but it worked in the end its just practise and its very expensive if it is all done with the instructor. We used a local one that was recommended by a friend

barjam_2

i agree with all the word of mouth posts, dont just take the 1st one or the cheapest. i used a female company and the instructor was never a clock watcher if she wasnt happy about something she made me carry on before taking me home i always used to be out more than an hour (many times 90 mins) i paid at the time £17 my son used her along with all his pals , her pass rate was excellent, she has since went independant,

belfastgirl23

Do get a recommendation. Also do your homework, learn the highway code front to back. Watch other people driving when you can to figure out what they're doing right (and wrong). Independent schools need word of mouth business and are more likely to want you to pass. Some schools offer you 10 lessons at a reduced price. One thing I also found really useful was toodling the car around on my own (in a safe spot with no one else around, eg office block car park on a sunday) - gives you a sense of how you best do things like reversing etc. Biggest thing to bear in mind is that it isn't all about being taught, it's about learning and you don't have to be with an instructor to do that.

Good luck, driving is really great!