Buying a car to learn to drive

sgavan · 18 Mar 2017 at 06:58

Hi I was wondering if anyone could advise, I am learning to drive a car, had a motorbike for about 16 years, and have had a some paid lessons but just wondered what is the best solution to get more driving experience, I was thinking of getting a car that I could drive with supervision, my brother has a full licence and car but doesn't really want me to use his as he needs it for work so if it's damaged etc he would be without transport.

Could I buy a car and get insurance or would I have to register it in someone else's name? tried googling but not having much luck with finding answers

Thanks

Orionaut · 18 Mar 2017 at 08:50

An interesting one really.

You are not a novice, but you are used to an entirely different type of vehicle.

I would look for something that is as different as possible to a bike.

IE Large and with poor viability, Say an old van.

Bikers often suggest that drivers should spend time seeing the world through the eyes of a Biker. But it works the other way round too.

Learn to drive in a van and you will be a better driver and a better biker too.

James J · 18 Mar 2017 at 10:52

You can be insured as a learner driver and just add your brother to your policy as an additional driver. I've done this personally and it's very easy to do and good piece of mind.

Uther · 18 Mar 2017 at 11:00

My son's learning to drive currently. He has lessons with an instructor, but we also bought him a car and I sit with him as a named driver on his policy while he drives himself to work.
You can get learner insurance, but don't forget the second you pass your test that insurance is invalid, you can't even drive home from the test centre on that policy.

Nasher · 18 Mar 2017 at 11:08

Get a proper banger for the first few years. Just avoid anything with power and rear wheel drive to start with

My first car was '92 Corsa. No power steering or ABS, fun times. Understeer was so bad you had to almost stop to go round mini roundabouts in the wet.

sgavan · 18 Mar 2017 at 11:33

Thanks for the info guys, I will have a think about it, lessons are going good so hopefully shouldn't be too long just like the idea of extra practice.

adolf hamster · 18 Mar 2017 at 13:27

sgavan said:
Thanks for the info guys, I will have a think about it, lessons are going good so hopefully shouldn't be too long just like the idea of extra practice.

extra practice is good for learning the controls, but tbh given your previous experience it might not be so bad, especially given the rules of the road won't be a problem for you.

i'd say what i'd be looking at doing is getting whatever car i planned to drive after passing (assuming insurance costs etc aren't an issue there), saves you the pita of chopping and changing cars and you'll already be a lot more familiar with it in terms of size/handling etc. suppose as you're a bike you'll not be too worried about a less sporty car given how your sporty fix is already covered