Driving lessons...

anguk

My son had quite a few lessons when he was 18 and he failed his test twice (I think he went in for the tests too soon). He was going to keep trying but went abroad for a year then when he came back he moved to London where he has absolutely no need to drive, it's much cheaper and quicker to use the tube or trains!

I think if he ever moves back up here he'll take up learning to drive again because public transport isn't as good as London.

VikkiiKawaii

victory wrote: »

DID he go back to it?

Nope. He used to use his motorbike but doesn't bother anymore, just bums lifts off friends/family and takes public transport VERY occasionally.

Saying that he was always a bit of a user, so it probably doesn't apply to the OP's post - just my two cents.

19lottie82

In regards to the Theory Test……

70% of it is simple common sense, in fact some of the questions are so easy plenty of people trip up as they think they are “trick!” questions. (Strangely enough, everyone I know that has failed first time, have been high achievers academically!)

The remaining 30% are things that you have to learn, such as road signs and stopping distances. If you don’t study you won’t get these right, unless it’s the luck of a guess.

You can buy a book of all the current theory test questions. Go through it, take them all, and the ones you get wrong, make a note of them and the answers and keep reading over them again and again before the test.

IMO if you follow these pieces of advice, you can’t fail!

tea_lover

I had about 10 lessons at uni when I was maybe 19ish but gave up for a few years after that. A combination of factors - I didn't like the instructor, I couldn't really afford it, and I was rubbish at it lol.

I started lessons again when I was about 22 and it took me forever (must have been at least a lesson a week for 2 years!) Cost me a flaming fortune but it was worth it in the end, totally invaluable for work etc.

Maybe he's just not ready and will take to it better later on when he can really see the point of having a licence.

sukysue

I gave up after 13 lessons when I was 18 (a log time ago now ! lol) I just didn't like it and didn't feel very confident either I took more when I was 27 and had a brilliant instructor and passed first time. I just wasn't ready for it at 18 I spose! I also wonder if it was anything to do with still being a bit dependent on my parents I wasn't quite ready for the big bad world out there ! lol ! I hope your son does persevere as I wished I had afterwards!

Pee

I don't know what his reasoning is and yes, in an ideal world he would at least pass his test as it'll make insurance cheaper in years to come, but realistically the cost of running a car is probably beyond him at the moment, or less of a priority than new clothes. It sounds like the public transport is ok around you.

I passed third time and had breaks in my lessons because I didn't pass my tast before going to Uni in a big city and I feel that what I learnt sunk in when I wasn't driving. I didn't find learning to drive easy, but I like driving now. I'm not a great driver and I love to see people who are worse than me at parking. I didn't use to see many, but I see quite a few these days! I think some people are naturals and your son and me are not, but with experience everyone improves and gets their confidence in their own level.

Young lads in cars are a worry to me though. You see them showing off, trying to impress mates and thinking it will impress girls, being too easily influenced and with very little awareness of the dangers. All of my male friends have horror stories about driving as youngsters. I would sleep easy knowing that that won't be your worry for a little while.

LandyAndy

Peater wrote: »

'Can't be bothered' translated from teen to human means 'It's actually harder than i thought and i don't like feeling like i'm not amazing at something.....'

Been there, done that.

Thing is, with driving for novices, its all about momentum. These lessons that he has had will almost certainly be completely wasted (bar the basics) as if he suddenly realises that not having a licence/car severely limits him socially/career wise he will have to do them all over again, starting from scratch. And lessons are extortionate!

No they aren't!

My DS1 just passed his test. The going rate around here is £22 an hour, less a gallon of fuel (at least £6, for the hour), less the tax, insurance, maintenance and finance costs of the vehicle (depends on the amount of usage but easily £3 an hour for someone trying to make a living at it.). That leaves you £13 an hour for the instructor and you don't get many self employed people who can make a living at that sort of rate.

And to the OP.

No one has to learn to drive but not being able to is likely to prove very restrictive in later life. The lessons taken already will be totally wasted if he gives up for more than a couple of months.

pinetree

I dont think its the lessons that are expensive, its paying for the insurance which costs the same as a first car. I dont know how any youngsters can afford to pass their test these days

Marmite27

victory wrote: »

Has anyone else taken a load of lessons and then given up? Do you loose what you have learnt? Will he be able to go back to it later?

I gave up my lessons for about a year, due to my financial situation, and then resumed lessons with the same instructor.

I then passed my test, but couldn't afford a car until about a year later, and didn't drive from the date of my test to the date I collected my new car.

I commented at the time, that I remembered everything both times as soon as I was behind the wheel again. I personally had no issues with a break.

laurel7172

I started at 18, and I was *awful*. Seriously, seriously awful. I spent most of my earnings from my summer job on lessons, and was nowhere near being able to sit the test.

Then I went to uni, and summer job earnings were spent on fripperies like rent. When I was 22, my then OH and I bought our first car. It was insured for me as a learner, but I couldn't face going near it, convinced that I'd be even worse than I had been four years previously.

However, I needed a driving licence within a year to keep my job, so I reluctantly sent off the application for a test-expecting there to be a three month waiting list as there had been when I was 18.

I still hadn't got behind the wheel of the car when the test date arrived...for three weeks later.

In complete panic, I got my ex to take me out for a lesson immediately and...I could drive. I passed my test first time.

I can't explain it, but all is not necessarily lost or wasted. Maybe your son is like me, and his subconscious just needs a bit of time (four years is probably excessive, mind you ) for things to filter down and become automatic. I hope so