Learning to Drive - Advice?

Freelanc3r

Freelanc3r

Freelanc3r

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Joined
10 Dec 2005
Posts
1,540
Hey all,

Not 17 yet but will be on the 29th March, genuinely excited to start learning.
I'm aiming to pass ASAP due to my location, live down a country lane and it's a real pain getting to public transport, also would like the independence.
Anyway, anyone got any pointers/advice for getting me passed ASAP? I looked into those 'Guaranteed Pass in One week' courses but apparently a large percentage of drivers who use these crash within the first year due to lack of experience, so that looks like a no go. Plan to study for my theory before i'm 17 and book it as I turn 17, should save a bit of time.

How many hours of lessons do you have to have before you're eligible for a test?
General Advice/What to steer clear of? (Excuse the pun)

Thanks
 
Good plan with the theory. It's fairly easy, just make sure you have a practice at Hazard Perception before the test.

Unless the DSA have brought in new restrictions recently, you can take your test on your birthday regardless of the number of hours you have had tuition. However generally I think most go for about 30hours professional practice, you may need more or less.

Find an instructor that is recommended, perhaps talk to older friends for their experiences.

Will you be able to practice in the 599? :p
 
I'm pretty sure that you can apply for your provisional at 16 and then book your theory test upto 3 months before your 17th birthday, so that'll be good for getting you a head start.

Personally I wouldn't do one of those condensed courses. For me driving lessons were actually quite fun, but I was lucky enough to have a very good instructor. Even then, looking back it did seem like I was being taught to pass the test more than taught to drive, but the truth is that the really learning really begins once you get on the road by yourself.

You don't need to do X amount of hours be eligible, I was told to book my test after my first lesson, but your instructor will only tell you to book your test if he/she thinks that you are close to being ready.

Best of luck. You've got a long road ahead of you (see what I did there? ;)).
 
I went with BSM - it took ages and cost a fortune - and I passed third time - and wasn't really a good driver when I passed either.

Then didn't drive for 2 years.

After a year or two careful real-world driving everything fell into place.

After 5 years I've mastered it.

--

My advice:

Insurance costs a stupid amount - so pass your test now, but you'll probably not own your own car for a while. Book a dozen lessons and see how you get on.
 
My friend is currently learning with his girlfriend and mom! They've both been driving for over 5 years and are just teaching him the basics. Then he's gunna have ~4-5 hours with a proper instructor before his test.
 
I had about 30 lessons plus lots of time with my (panicky) mum before I passed. Other people manage it with a dozen. It takes as long as it takes. Just make sure you get a decent instructor who will make a sensible decision about when you're ready for your test.
 
I had about 17 hours (about 12 lessons) and nothing in my parents cars.

Try to get insured on someone else's car whilst learning, insurance is cheaper whilst you're on your provisional!!

Be prepared for it to take as long as it takes, people pick it up at different rates!!
 
as said above it take aslong as it takes :) but what i would say is, when you pass, book for pass plus (if you instructor does it) its about £200 (i think) but will help you for insurance should make it cheaper
 
Thanks for the advice guys! :)

Totally stoked to learn to drive though, won't be getting a car till i'm 18 anyway but i'm just keen and want to get it out of the way, confident i'll pass in a year easily!

Anyone have any insight if you can complete your theory before you're 17?
 
I know for sure you can't take it before 17, but like I said, I'm pretty certain you can book it before your birthday.
 
You can't take it before, you can book it whenever you have your provisional delivered, you need your license number to book online.

Should be able to take it on your birthday, but what's the rush?

You said yourself you will take a while to take your practical, book your theory when you can but don't make a massive fuss about taking it as soon as you turn 17.
 
Freelanc3r said:
Thanks for the advice guys! :)

Totally stoked to learn to drive though, won't be getting a car till i'm 18 anyway but i'm just keen and want to get it out of the way, confident i'll pass in a year easily!

Anyone have any insight if you can complete your theory before you're 17?
Click to expand...

took me 50 lessons but I have no concentration whatsoever lol. I did 4 lessons a week. Flew in. Passed the theory test 2nd time and passed the practical test 2nd time with 4 minors.
 
See if you can find an instructor who will do a 'tutorial' type session with you, see if you get along with them.

In theory, a driving instructor is a driving instructor. But I just didnt seem to 'click' with my first instructor, didnt find him helpful at all. I was much more relaxed with my 2nd instructor, which helped an awful lot.

(Don't even ask about the many stages to getting towards a licence I took, its depressing)
 
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