What do i need to get ready to start learning to drive please

mysticlegend

hi all,

im gonna start learning to drive because my family needs it so i guess its time lol. but i dont know where to start...

is there any site i can check reviews on maybe local driving instructors in Manchester so i dont get a money grinder i have bought books and latest dvds this week so im getting there as theory goes.

Be great for any info or advice i might need.

huge thanks

colin79666

Got your provisional license yet?

This would be a good place to start: https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-lessons

forgotmyname

As above start by getting your provisional.

How old are you? I kow my previous insurer wouldnt touch ANY Manchester postcode. So it maybe worth checking how much insurance maybe after you pass your test.

Which instructor is a personal thing. You may get on well with an instructor that everyone else says is terrible.

Just dont pay in advance for an instructor you may not like. Get a few trial lessons 1st.

Iceweasel

After you've really read the 'Highway Code' and 'Know Your Traffic Signs' - as opposed to skimming through them as most folks do, this gov.uk site has plenty practice tests:

https://www.gov.uk/practise-your-driving-theory-test

Good luck.

scotsbob

In the 1960s a book was on sale "Teach Yourself To Drive." Yes, seriously.

Chapter one advised the reader to get a saucepan lid and a walking stick. The saucepan lid was used to practice turning the steering wheel and the walking stick used to practice gear changes.

Maybe you might find a copy on Ebay!

forgotmyname

Modern equivalent of that book would be get a games console and one of the top racing games. Learn howto drift and smoke the tyres, Use your bumpers to cars the car in front to oversteer.

If you crash you just hit reset.

ilikewatch

If you've never been behind the wheel before, I would suggest that immediately before you start practical lessons you see if a friend or relative can take you somewhere where it is legal and safe to learn where the controls are, what they do, and how to get "clutch control" etc. (not to learn any "roadcraft" as such - leave this to a professional instructor)

Regarding choosing an instructor, I would try to get personal recommendations from people you know, and personally I would try to find a local independent instructor who values their reputation rather than one of the big chains (Red, AA, BSM et al)

ilikewatch

scotsbob wrote: »

In the 1960s a book was on sale "Teach Yourself To Drive." Yes, seriously.

Chapter one advised the reader to get a saucepan lid and a walking stick. The saucepan lid was used to practice turning the steering wheel and the walking stick used to practice gear changes.

Maybe you might find a copy on Ebay!

I remember being advised to put a couple of old newspapers under the front wheels of the car so that I could practice steering whilst the car was stationary on the drive without damaging the tyres :-)

mysticlegend

just got home so going read through all your comments now and thanks very much for the info including the gov site for the prov

mysticlegend

Iceweasel wrote: »

After you've really read the 'Highway Code' and 'Know Your Traffic Signs' - as opposed to skimming through them as most folks do, this gov.uk site has plenty practice tests:


Good luck.

reading it already and i wanna get it right. and learn as best i can.

mysticlegend

provisional i will get asap and yeah im not young lol im 35 just never needed a car till moved house and everything is miles and way and 3 kids is now time i got a car. because taxis are costing us a bomb