New drivers, how long did it take you to pass?

Uther

Uther

Uther

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It's been many years since I passed my driving test, and there was no theory test back then either! As my son has just got his provisional licence and will shortly be taking lessons I'm just interested in how long it took people to pass both the theory and practical tests!
 
Theory: Watched a driving theory DVD a couple of times, passed first time the next week scoring 50/50.

Practical: Bought my Polo in late July 2013, drove it with a passenger for a few months, had a grand total of 6 proper lessons interspersed, and passed first time with 2 minors (both excessive use of speed...) in early December 2013. :)
 
I passed my theory first time (back when it had no hazard perception test), I then let it lapsed without taking the practical so had to take the theory again with hazard perception. Passed that first time too.

Practical exam I failed twice. First fail was letting a bus through a junction when it was my right of way. Can't remember why I failed the second. Then I passed with 5 minors I think.
 
The theory is simple it only takes a a few weeks practice. As for the practical everyone is different. I had a 2hr lesson once a week and had 40hrs worth as i wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible in different driving conditions.
 
Passed theory first time, spent a few days before revising. Did a 4 day intensive course for the lessons Monday to Thursday and passed the practical test on the Friday with 2 minors. By the Monday I had forgotten everything!

All in it took about a month, mainly due to waiting for a slot for the theory test.
 
Passed at the beginning of Feb 2008. Started lessons after Christmas 2007. Had 8-9 lessons in a Clio :D

I did my theory first before taking any driving lessons in November 07 IIRC.
 
Theory first time, just did the mock test on the DVLA website.

Practical took me circa 20 lessons and some more time in parents cars. I could have pushed through and done a more intense schedule but I wanted to maximise experience (as much as was feasibly possible with my budget) before taking test. Again passed first time in Oct 2015.
 
Went driving with my dad for a month after turning 17, also passed the theory first time.
Took 3 lessons with an instructor in a horrid N reg 1.2 clio (this was 1997), failed my first test (going round corners too fast) passed the retest 7days later.
 
My daughters just turned 17 so inevitably she's asked for lessons. A few local instructors give discounts for booking blocks of 20 lessons, but a friends daughter is now on her 32nd lesson!! Surely something wrong if you can't get ready for a test within 20 lessons?? Like the OP I will be interested to see how many lessons some of you new drivers took.
 
cadmunkey said:
My daughters just turned 17 so inevitably she's asked for lessons. A few local instructors give discounts for booking blocks of 20 lessons, but a friends daughter is now on her 32nd lesson!! Surely something wrong if you can't get ready for a test within 20 lessons?? Like the OP I will be interested to see how many lessons some of you new drivers took.
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After failing twice I switched instructor then passed first time with new instructor. It wasn't the old one was terrible but I found her technique wasn't suitable to the way I learn. I would think about looking at other instructor if she still isn't ready after that long.
 
7 lessons, and about a week of studying the highway code for the theory test (mainly memorizing stopping distances).
 
18 lessons, with no other time spent I a parents car passed first time with 9 minors

Theory was on my second attempt after failing multiple choice by 1 mark the first time
 
I'm not sure exactly how many lessons but it was around 30 hours however that was with a 6 ish year gap between. I had 20 hours ish the first time round and took a practical when I was suffering from sciatica. It blew practical test and it took me a long time to get back behind the wheel. So long I had to retake my theory. Got there in the end though, and probably one of the few people to pass their theory twice without failing it :p
 
I probably had a good 20 or so lessons, but then I was slow learner and not interested in cars or driving like I am today. 2004 feels like such a long time ago now :o

I passed the practical and theory tests first time.
 
theory, I just did a few practical tests on the official DVLA app and passed the next day. As for the practical, I'm not sure exactly as I had a few breaks but I was having a 2 hour lesson a week and passed in around 4 months first time with 4 minors.

Make sure your son keeps at it and doesn't get lazy with lessons, they are an expensive chore and its easy to get fed up but the only way to get test ready is to stay consistent with them. :)
 
Passed theory first time with just a couple of hours looking at books in the library and mock test online.

Around 25 hours of lessons over the space of about 2 months last year with no time in other cars and passed first time in Sept with 1 minor, can't remember what it was for now. Think it was for observation (mirrors). Really rated my instructor.
 
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