Learning to Drive

A11yson

Anyone got any suggestions for best learner driver packages? SD 17 next week?? :j
Thanks in advance

mikey72

Don't block book. You may find you don't get on with the instructor, then you can't change, and there are a few threads where the service isn't very good once they have your money. You're better off finding a local instructor, then paying for one lesson to see if you like him/her. If you don't try another, if you do, ask them about a package if they do one. You'll find a decent instructor you like will save you more money in fewer lessons then a cheaper one who takes more lessons to teach you.

photome

I am with the above find a local instructor, dont block book any of those ultra cheap packages as there are often poor t and c attached.

My son was recomended an instructor who offered an initial 2 hour lesson for the price of 1 (£23), he got on with him and stayed with him. he did then offer a 10% discount for booking 10 lessons at a time but we/he declined and are paying as we go, he has had 5 up to know

19lottie82

ask around for driving instructor reccomendations, rather than picking one from random. a good instructor can make all the difference.

Mankysteve

If he's just turning 17 check out insurance quotes for someone his age on a car once he's got a full license and see if you can afford it. The only spent on lessons might be better spent else where, till he old enough for insurance prices to come down a bit.

Otherwise do as other have said, don't block book, dont fall for 10 sessions for x amount, also dont bother with intensive courses.

victor2

Totally agree with others about trying an instructor before making a block booking and get local recommendations.
While insurance costs as a newly qualified young driver may turn out to be a problem, don't just let that deter him or you. A 17 year old will usually learn faster than someone a bit older. If he's planning on uni or existing without a car for a while, still go ahead. My DD passed her test before going to uni, where she had no need to drive. When she did want insurance, she'd held a full licence for 4 years and had no accidents or points on it. Cheaper insurance! She did have a few refresher lessons just to get back into things, but it was so much easier without the pressure of a test to learn for.

photome

Mankysteve wrote: »

If he's just turning 17 check out insurance quotes for someone his age on a car once he's got a full license and see if you can afford it. The only spent on lessons might be better spent else where, till he old enough for insurance prices to come down a bit.

Otherwise do as other have said, don't block book, dont fall for 10 sessions for x amount, also dont bother with intensive courses.

Its better to learn and get a license then worry about costs of insurance, even if it means not driving for a few years

mikey72

Mankysteve wrote: »

If he's just turning 17 check out insurance quotes for someone his age on a car once he's got a full license and see if you can afford it. The only spent on lessons might be better spent else where, till he old enough for insurance prices to come down a bit.

Otherwise do as other have said, don't block book, dont fall for 10 sessions for x amount, also dont bother with intensive courses.

Learn at 17. Insurance for a 25 year old who has held a licence for 8 years, (even if they have never driven a thing) is much cheaper than insurance for a 25 year old that has just passed.

LandyAndy

My DS1 Passed his test at 17 earlier this year.

Local instructor found by personal recommendation was excellent. Some of his schoolmates block booked with other instructors and were still just steering after 4 lessons:eek:.

He had approximately one, two hour, lesson a week from mid August through to mid February. Say 26 lessons at £22 an hour = £1144.

He passed first time with just two minors.

Insurance is more than we can justify affording right now but as he is off to university in a few months it's not a huge problem at the moment.

I believe learning to drive is something you should do as soon as possible. It doesn't get easier as you get older and have more responsibilities.

mikey72

My daughter had about 16 lessons, but she was out for at least an hour a day in her own car with me, and her first drive was for a couple of hours at midnight on her 17th birthday in her car.

CompletelyLost

Personally I hated 2-hour lessons... after about 45 minutes my concentration was gone and it was such a waste. I ended up changing to 1-hour lessons twice a week. Guess it's a personal thing though, as I know some people are the opposite and don't get in the zone until their 2nd hour.

I also tried three instructors all with different cars, before I found one I was comfortable with. So like others have said... I'd avoid block booking until you know you're going to stick with the instructor long term.