learning to drive any advice please ? (automatic or manual same routine ?

theshadow

hi

yeah i know too long enough but i;m 31 and want to learn how to drive it would benefit our family now so i aint got a clue on where to even start lol, so anyone could advise me on what to do first or any paperwork i need to get that would be awesome.

And i;m not sure i will be good at manual drive as never driven at all but looks complex and automatics a better way to go! but i think thats a different type of license aint it?

sorry for all questions but would be most greatful for any info.
Thanks
Dave

mrtg0525

If you take your test in an automatic, you'll get a license that'd specify that you're only allowed to drive automatics. If you'd ever want to rent a van to transport something bigger, you'll be a bit stuffed because vans tend to have manual transmissions...

Driving is a skill that you'd need to learn anyway so I'd go for the manual.

The DVLA has a webpage up with information for learners and new drivers, hope this helps:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/index.htm

steveo3002

id suggest you at least try a manual for a good few lessons...everyone else picks it up easy enough

its fairly easy to jump from a manual to auto and pick it up, but like the above poster says you cant drive a manual on a auto license ...most loan cars, uk renters and so on are manuals

mitchg

Manual i wouldnt consider doing an automatic only course you will be limited in cars to buy later on and some smaller/ economical /town cars will be hard to find in this version
I wold also consider doing an intensive course to pass, get the theory test passed then do a week long crash course and pass at the end of the week, means spending out big in one go but all over ad done in a much shorter and convienient time frame.

sarahlsmith22

mitchg wrote: »

Manual i wouldnt consider doing an automatic only course you will be limited in cars to buy later on and some smaller/ economical /town cars will be hard to find in this version
I wold also consider doing an intensive course to pass, get the theory test passed then do a week long crash course and pass at the end of the week, means spending out big in one go but all over ad done in a much shorter and convienient time frame.

I think this would be the way I would do it if I could go back in time! I had one lesson a week for an hour and a half. It took ages for me to 'get' driving and to get over the complete panic I felt as nobody in my family drives so I was not even used to going about in a car. Then I got laryngitis the day before my test and they wouldn't refund me unless I gave a weeks notice so I lost the money on that test. All in all a bit of a waste of money.

If you do the intensive course it will be all you think about and you won't have the time in between the lessons to completely forget what you did the week before. Good luck driving :T

anewman

https://www.2passforums.co.uk is a good place to start reading.

I would say if after maybe 30 hours you are still *seriously* struggling with the manual gears, I would then be considering automatic.

You could swot up on the theory test and apply for that yourself, but some may say it's worthwhile learning this alongside learning driving, but it may take time away from learning to drive.

Diamond78

I am due to start my driving lessons next week. First if you already havent got your provisional licence you need to get that by applying to the dvla. Once youve got that then your free to learn to drive. The mistake I have made was starting lessons then after a while stopping due to whatever reasons I had.I first started lessons in 1998 took about 10 then stopped.As a result lost any confidence I had.Then fell pregnant,had my son then started lessons again in 2004, again had about 10.Unfortunatly I didnt have a good experience with the driving instructor and stopped and lost the confidence again.Then started with another instructor in 2006 gain had aboout 10 and just couldnt do manual.

All you need to remember is everyone is different,in my case Im slow at learning,maybe its my age or being a mum I dont know.I re started lessons in october last year and switched to automatic which I found a lot easier and luckily had a good instructor but I have moved now so have just boked a block of 10 lessons with the local driving school as dont know anyone from my area to recomend me a driver.

You need to go with what suits you and what you feel comfortable with.I would recomed you try manual as you may be easy to pick this up.Im sure I would of had I been a bit more patient.Ask around friends or look up online and look under your postcode for either driving schools or instructors.I didnt have much choice of choosing as most of the schools or instructors in my area are manual. I would of gone for an intensive course but prices are to high for me and I cannot afford it but if you have the money and can afford to pay over £400(quotes i was given) then go for it. Mine cost me £230 for a block of 10 lessons and thats an hour.Also check how long your lessons will be.If you dont do an intensive, go for atleast an hour as some lessons can be 45mins or 50mins. The extra 10-15mins is worth it.

Once you start your lessons you will feel so good and start gaining confidence.Its my goal to learn to drive and pass as march 08 my theory will expire as its only valid for 2 years unless its changed.I recomend you do your theory after you have had about 8-10 lessons as your knowledge would be more.You can study online by finding sites where you can do mock theory and hazard perception tests.

Goodluck and keep us updated and what you do.All the best.x

movilogo

Automatics are not that bad as many people think. It is definitely easier and faster to learn in automatics. Most people only drive their own cars, so you're unlikely to face any real problem.

Of course the choice is yours. Entire USA drives automatics, they all can't be wrong

anewman

movilogo wrote: »

Of course the choice is yours. Entire USA drives automatics, they all can't be wrong

Entire USA has 50" waists too :rotfl:

theshadow

massive thanks guys for all the advice and info its great and yeah i might be a slow learner when it comes to cars but hey that be cos i never been behind a wheel before so will try for manual and dont take to it then i will go Auto and take lessons in that

So first thing is to get a prov license which i will look into asap (thanks) by the way is there a limit on how many tests u have to take before your allowed to take the test!

Good Luck also Diamind78
Dave

anewman

theshadow wrote: »

by the way is there a limit on how many tests u have to take before your allowed to take the test!

Not quite sure what you mean by that. If you mean mock tests no. Most instructors will only be happy to put you in for the test when they feel you are able to pass. This is a good thing for students as it means no fee wasting, the driving test gets expensive when you add the test fee to the instructor fee for using the car. Unfortunately some instructors may use it as an excuse to keep putting off the test so they make more money out of you through lessons, but on the whole they'll be the bad instructors struggling to find pupils.