Cheapest way to learn to drive?

wiggywoo9

What's the best way to go about it?

I just want to know how to drive and get my license- not concerned about owning one right now. I'm 23 and I'm on my own with a little boy. I'm very, very wary about driving- so bit anxious and worried. I just don't want to hurt anyone- I don't think people see it as I do, being in control of a machine, a vehicle that could cause harm and put passengers in danger, that could kill. So I need reassurance and to take it easy, lots of practise I think. But I want to learn as its a life skill and an achievement.

I'm unsure how I'd actually fit lessons in as I don't have childcare outside working hours- don't think you can really take them with you?! Any ideas?

Any tips or advice I'm grateful for. Just testing the water to see if I can do this!

HappyMJ

wiggywoo9 wrote: »

What's the best way to go about it?

I just want to know how to drive and get my license- not concerned about owning one right now. I'm 23 and I'm on my own with a little boy. I'm very, very wary about driving- so bit anxious and worried. I just don't want to hurt anyone- I don't think people see it as I do, being in control of a machine, a vehicle that could cause harm and put passengers in danger, that could kill. So I need reassurance and to take it easy, lots of practise I think. But I want to learn as its a life skill and an achievement.

I'm unsure how I'd actually fit lessons in as I don't have childcare outside working hours- don't think you can really take them with you?! Any ideas?

Any tips or advice I'm grateful for. Just testing the water to see if I can do this!

You've got to find child care first.

Driving instructors do work normal shift patterns and are available during the day when you can get child care.

If you work full time you could take a lesson during your lunch break. You might need to take an extra half hour one day a week. Most employers should be flexible enough to allow that.

Cheapest way is to get a close friend or family member who has a qualifying licence to accompany you whilst you drive their car. Make sure they add you to their insurance policy so you're covered.

chrisw

Don't go out with a friend or family member until you have had some experience with a proper instructor first. Friends/family are likely to be very stressful for both of you and can do more harm than good.

The instructor will have come across many, many people with similar fears and anxieties as you and will be able to reassure you.

By all means use friends/family to get some practice in once you have become more confident.

forgotmyname

Your more likely to kill someone with a kitchen related incident than with a car.

s_b

forgotmyname wrote: »

Your more likely to kill someone with a kitchen related incident than with a car.

to be fair stuffing a chicken is NOT the same as stuffing an armco barrier

bigjl

s_b wrote: »

to be fair stuffing a chicken is NOT the same as stuffing an armco barrier

Depends if your the chicken

Jamiesmum

Can you get childcare and do a lesson before work? Or directly after? My driving instructor had no issues picking me up from work or a different address if I was dropping my son off somewhere.

Nerves are fine they will go eventually. I'm sure they've seen it before.

I would go with a 2 hour lesson a week until you feel more confident, then do a 2 hour lessons twice a week for a month or two until you're ready to pass.

TBagpuss

Definitely get some proper, professional lessons first - once you have the basics you *may* find it helpful to go out with a trusted frined or family member to improve your confidence and build experience, but you need someone who will stay calm.

As you are working, aim to have a lesson directly after work if you can extend your child care for an hour or so.

Many instructors / schools will offer slightly cheaper lessons if you book a block (e.g. 11 hours for the price of 10) but I'd suggest that you have a couple of lessons before you lock yourself in to that, to make sure that you feel comfortable with the instructor.

It's also worth asking about whether prices are the same for all days and times - you may find that if you are able to be flexible you can get slightly lower prices at less popular times - for instnace mid-day may be less expensive than evenings, if most of the people using the school are in school and trying to fit lessons in after the school day ends.

It's perfectly normal to be bervous at first, in fact it is probably healthy!

You might find that it would be helpful for you to go out as a passenger with an experienced driver - get them to 'narrate' what they are doing and seeing (e.g noting hazards as they come up, telling you when they would start to indicate, which lane they will change to etc) so that you get some practice at reading the road. Obviously this needs to be with someone who is a good driver and who would then be comfortable with you asking questions.

robbies_gal

i would definitely try an instructor first-no they dont avise u take children with u its a distraction

i took lessons when i was 17 and hated it nothing drastic happene i was just not tin the right frame of mind

left it again till i was 32 took it slow but it as the right time-if youre too worrie u wont learn anything u cant think about crashing its just not helpful