Driving lessons advice

jbbonce

Hi
It looks like i'm going to need to learn to drive in order to get a job for when I graduate. I had some lessons about 5 years ago, but they didn't go very well and I didn't like my instructor. I was only having one hour a fortnight and I can't remember how many I had in total, but to put it bluntly, I was rubbish although I did have some real skill with turns, apparently.

I am thinking it might be best to do an intensive course, as it will probably work out cheaper in the long run, but the prices seem to fluctate wildly from place to place (a grand difference between two similar looking courses)

also I was thinking it might be best to do an automatic-only course (do such things exist?) as i do not have the world's best co-ordination, and when I was learning before, i found i could either get the gears right or the rest of it, but not both at the same time.

Does anyone have any experience of intensive or automatic driving lessons that they can furnish me with? Or any general advice about learning to drive
I would appreciate any replies
thanks
jbbonce

anewman

Firstly I would like to point you to the forums at http://www.2passforum.co.uk/ where issues such as this are discussed in great depth A good read through will reveal many questions such as yours already with replies.

As you're a student, BSM would give a small discount.

I would recommend 2 hour lessons. I had 2X 2 hour lessons a week up until my test. Of course it's whatever works best for you really but I think at least one 2 hour lesson a week.

You can get automatic lessons, but these usually attract a suplement. I would not recommend getting automatic lessons unless you have had at least maybe 20 X 2 hour lessons and you really have difficulty with using the clutch and making gear changes, as you'll only be able to drive automatics without taking a further test. I think you will find as time goes on gear changes will become almost second nature and you can focus your mind on other things.

And also, there are many organisations about, BSM, AA, etc etc. I think what matters most is that you get on well with your instructor and that they seem competent. It's the instructor that makes the lessons work, not the company.

Alfrescodave

"It's the instructor that makes the lessons work, not the company"

Totally agree, start with a 1 hour trial lesson and if you don't get on with the instructor try someone else. When my son was learning he started with BSM - the instructor was brilliant but the office people who arranged the lessons were useless. He then moved to someone who he didn't get on with so changed again, to a fantastic lady who he clicked with and passed his test first time. Remember you're the customer, paying their wages. If you don't like, try somewhere else