Best way to start driving.

Mad_Jay

Mad_Jay

Mad_Jay

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Well I've finally started thinking about learning to drive. I'm 19, working full time while at college and I've always got used the bus.

The car I'm going to be driving is a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec 5 door. It's my mums and she hardly drives it, its ex mobility and its only done 7500 miles and according to my mechanic friend thats not a lot for a car that age :eek:

So I was wondering what's the best way to learn to drive, do I do one lesson a week until the instructor thinks I'm ready? Or cram many lessons as possible into the week and get it done as fast as possible?

I feel fairly confident in myself and I catch on to things pretty quickly so perhaps the latter choice? I finish college in 2 weeks time so I'll have more time. I've driven on the road before as I had a moped while I was 16 but it melted in a house fire (Long story) and I had to scrap it. Never got around to getting another one or learning to drive at 17.

Any advice or anything is greatly appreciated.

:)
 
I started learning about two months ago.

Start with just one lesson a week for first 2 or 3 lessons to make sure your comfortable with the instructor, then start getting more lessons. I would avoid those package deal things some companies do where you get say 10 lessons for a bulk some of cash. If you pay for one of these and you dont like the instructor or he isnt very good, your stuffed. They also tend to not actually be much cheaper than paying for them individually.
 
2 or 3 lessons a week imo, and if you have the opportunity to practice in your own car under supervision then do that plenty too.
 
Couple of lessons a week, 2 hour lessons. Do as much practice in between as you possibly can - driving lessons are expensive, the fewer you need, the cheaper it's going to be!
 
1hr a week will do. (with the odd 2 hrs slots every few weeks) It would crack me in doing anymore.

I waited 3 weeks for a theory test and 6 weeks for a practical (i have mine monday). so thats 9 lessons you can fit in if all goes well before you start. If you do 2 (or more) per week I think you will spend most of your time waiting for tests. Start practicing for your theory now, it will make things much easier. (I passed mine before stepping foot in a car)


my brother had 6 lessons before he put in for his theory, another 4 whilst waiting, he then failed his theory so waited another 3 weeks for that (another 3 lessons)

I would personally stay clear of driving without an instructor. Instructors know what the examiners are looking for, They also are great at showing you how to do manovers correctly using key marks on the car for you to look out for. I am not sure i could jump in and out of different cars all the time whilst learning.
 
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I found I didn't have enough time when doing 1 hour lessons. I had 2 hour lessons once a week, if I'd had the money I'd likely have had more and I'd have passed sooner than I did and with better results (I passed 6 months after starting and with 11 minors...but first time).

InvG
 
Out of interest, how old and long do you have to have been driving to be able to sit with someone whilst they practice?

I was always under the impression that it was over 21 and with 2 or 3 (can't remember which number) years of driving experience/on your licence, but all I can find on the DVLA site (actually takes you to the Direct.gov site) is about ADIs and they have to have held the licence for 4 years.

Reason I ask is because my brother is going to be learning to drive and because I'm off work/uni for a month I was going to be sitting with him, I've had my licence for three and a half years and I'm 21.

InvG
 
unless youre prepared for the continual massive outgoing of money that looking after a car involves, i wouldnt do it tbh
 
^
You have to be over 21 with 3 years experience to sit with a learner.

I started lessons June 2007 and passed my test 1st time with only 3 minors in August 2007 :) I Had two hours a week to start off with, i had 1 one hour lesson but i thought it wasnt enough time. i gradually moved up to 2 hours on a saturday and the odd weekday hour, anything less and you'll end up wasting lessons just trying to recap what you did last week without actually progressing.
 
always do 2hr sessions.
One hour:
a) isn't long enough for any decent driving
b) you will be driving for 2hours on test day

Doesn't matter if you do them close together or once a week. If you can afford ot do it, no reason not to cram it into a couple of weeks. If your mum is willing going out with her is a great idea.
 
Janesy B said:
^
You have to be over 21 with 3 years experience to sit with a learner.
Click to expand...

Good good...well so long as he sorts out insurance on the car before I leave in a month's time, else it's irrelevant. :p

I agree with the others, get as much experience as possible, be it with paid for instructor lessons, or just with say mum sitting next to you, more time behind the wheel is very beneficial. I had no extra time behind the wheel as nobody had time to sit with me, so I passed on lessons only.

MrSix said:
Select first, accellerator down, clutch up...off you go :D
Click to expand...

Fixed.


...oh wait, this isn't a 'how do I wheelspin?' thread. :p

InvG
 
MrSix said:
Select first, clutch up, accellerator down...off you go :D
Click to expand...
Surely you mean:

Get in car, adjust seating position, adjust mirrors, check the car is in neutral, start engine, check all your mirrors and signal, depress clutch, select first, apply a little bit of throttle, bring up clutch while increasing the throttle a bit more to stop the car from stalling and your away ;)

and driving instructors are more pedantic than me :)
 
My mums been driving for years and she said she would let me practice in her car while she was in the passenger seat.

It looks like doing afew hours a week seems the way to go. How long is the waiting list for driving tests nowadays? I've had mates do it the week after and I've had mates who have had to wait up to 9-10 weeks.

@ Mr Six, I'll keep that in mind ;) :p
 
its up to ten weeks in some places. I'd actually advise against practising without an instructor. you tend to pick up bad habits on your own so to speak and while an instructor will give you a hard time a doubt your mum will had a go at you unless she's a safety nut :)
 
Mad_Jay said:
Well I've finally started thinking about learning to drive. I'm 19, working full time while at college and I've always got used the bus.

The car I'm going to be driving is a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec 5 door. It's my mums and she hardly drives it, its ex mobility and its only done 7500 miles and according to my mechanic friend thats not a lot for a car that age :eek:

So I was wondering what's the best way to learn to drive, do I do one lesson a week until the instructor thinks I'm ready? Or cram many lessons as possible into the week and get it done as fast as possible?

I feel fairly confident in myself and I catch on to things pretty quickly so perhaps the latter choice? I finish college in 2 weeks time so I'll have more time. I've driven on the road before as I had a moped while I was 16 but it melted in a house fire (Long story) and I had to scrap it. Never got around to getting another one or learning to drive at 17.

Any advice or anything is greatly appreciated.

:)
Click to expand...

Do you not have any friends who can recommend an instructor?

I started out with BSM and my instructor decided to quit and start his own business. Luckily he was a top bloke, didn't rip me off and did a damn good job. Recommended him to friends/family friends and they've all said the same. Ask about with your mates to see if they had a good instructor?
 
My mate James passed his test back when he was 17 and said his instructor was a top guy and was nice to him as a new driver. He is getting his number for me and I'll give it a ring probably tomorrow.
 
I just do it once a week, 2 hours is fine, only taken me about 2 months, just i was late with booking so its taken a bit longer.
 
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