How long is reasonable for driving lessons?

Pleaseadvise

I've recently begun taking driving lessons at an advanced age. I've had 2 lessons so far and the instructor is saying it will be a long process. How long would you give it? I'm thinking that if I'm not ready to take the test in about a year, I ought to give up then.

Person_one

Why on earth would you give up? You'd have completely wasted your money and time!

Very few people are completely incapable of learning to drive, but its a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question.

I had 40 hours of lessons before passing first time, some people pass with half that and some people take years.

If you want to learn, just put the effort in, practice as much as you can and stick with it. If you're not really bothered than there's no point starting in the first place!

19lottie82

There isn't a set time Frame I'm afraid. Everyone is different.
If you've only just started lessons don't start to fret just yet, or put any time limits on your success.

daveyjp

If you want to advance quickly have at least 2 lessons a week.

Sally_A

Can you elaborate on "advanced age"? We all get more cautious as we get older. It also depends on which town you are learning in, face facts, you will need to drive around for 3 hours on Orkney just to find someone else to hit!

A lot depends on how much you want to learn too, daughter was uber keen and passed within 3 months of her 17th birthday.

If you have been cajoled into learning without really wanting to, then why bother? At the end of the day, a car is a big expense and you may be better off getting taxis or public transport.

A 2 hour lesson is better value then 2 x 1hr lessons, no time wasted in the picking up, dropping off, so more learning time.

Pleaseadvise

Sally_A wrote: »

Can you elaborate on "advanced age"?

I'm 43, and I am under some pressure from my husband to learn... but I'm not just going through the motions, I want to put in a genuine attempt.

19lottie82

I'd agree with having two lessons a week.

mummybearx

I had about 35 lessons and passed first time.

The driving instructor I had was the same one for all my lessons. He was recommended to me by a friend. I have since recommended him to friends and family, and every one of them have passed first time taking their test using him (some had failed before when using a different instructor). I feel that he played a big part in me passing first time. He really helped me gain so much confidence.

You need to make sure you are comfortable and confident with your instructor. Take your time, don't put pressure on yourself. You will know when you re ready to take your test, and your instructor should know as well.

Good luck x

Annisele

You think 43 is an advanced age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was expecting you to say you were at least 70.

I passed my test first time, but it took me about a year to get the confidence to even take the test. (I didn't get on well with my first instructor; all went swimmingly once I changed).

suki1001

I was 17 when I started my lessons and 29 when I finally passed my test having taken a couple of breaks inbetween. My dad got me driving lessons at 17, but in all honesty, I just wasn't ready and didn't like the instructor. I went throught 3 instructors until I found someone I felt confortable with. Everyone else had been recommended to me. the one i liked and who was the best and helped me pass my test, I took from the yellow pages.

The thing that also helped was I had the use of a friends car and they were willing to help me practice in between - that made a huge difference.

It is like riding a bike in the sense that once you learn, you don't forget. It also does give you an awful lot of freedom. It's one of the best things i ever did, so I'm glad I persevered.

krlyr

Certainly depends. I think I had about 18 or so lessons - my brother gave me his block of pre-booked lessons as he'd only used two then ended up going to Uni and learning with an intensive one-week course over there, and then I bought a 10-block from the same instructor as I found him good (and it was cheaper to buy the block). But I was having them twice a week, which I think helped a lot as you don't get rusty and forget it inbetween. I had some experience in a car before that too, having lived down a private road and taken my mum's car up and down it to get used to the general feel of a car.