Learning to drive: Petrol vs Diesel

[Kobrakai]

Ive been learning to drive in a Ford Focus 1.8L turbo diesel for some time. I’ve had around 30-35 hours with an instructor and have my test booked for 3 weeks time.

My instructor has told me that he will be getting a new car the week before my test of the same make and model, but it will be a 1.4L petrol instead.

I’ve heard from friends that Petrol’s are harder in terms of clutch control than their diesel counterparts, and that I will probably have trouble getting used to it at first and stall a lot?

I have always been taught to use the clutch/break without using the accelerator at all for manoeuvres and edging forward at junctions/traffic queues, but I have heard this will not be possible in a petrol. Is this true?

 

[Kobrakai]

I’m thinking perhaps I should try and get a cancelation to move my test a bit nearer before I have to change car...

 

[Kobrakai]

Im more worried that you need 35 hours of lessons . Thats quite shocking . And i have found that people struggle comming from a petrol to a diesel rather than the other way about.. All the people that drive my derv always stall it .

Persil

National average is 40 + 20 hours private practice.

Anyway I have been ready for some time but had to wait 8 weeks for the test and carried on taking 2 hour weekly lessons in that time. Also im nearly 25 so I won't pick it up as easilly as a 17 year old.