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

AFAIK The average now days is between the 30-35 hours iirc.

I had 17 hours before I booked my first test by the time I done it was 19 failed though, stupidly at that.

Managed to get a cancellation a week later and passed so in total it was 21 hours. That was back in January 2014.

Just bought my third year renewal. My insurance dropped so quickly after a years no claims it was great. Currently on £400 for the year for little 1.3 fiesta.
 
24hrs of lessons with a qualified instructor (12x2hrs)
A few hours private practice with dad in the car.
Passed theory and practical first time.
 
Theory:
Passed my theory first time using an android app (End of 2014).

Practical:
I had around 25 driving lessons. Passed on my 4th attempt(2015). Nervs got the better of me, but after taking some calms on my 4th attempt, it was no problem. It didn't help that I never got on with my first instructor. He was very impatient, would talk to you like a child, wore a shirt and tie, so you can imagine how relaxed I felt during the lessons. My second instructor was the complete opposite, and made you feel more confident on the road.
 
This was in 2013.

Theory: Just used the DVD to practice a bit (perhaps 2 or 3 hours a week for 3 weeks) and sailed through first time.

Practical: Booked 10 hours (8x1hr and 1x2hr on the day) and passed with 3 minors (2 for hesitation and 1 for gears after I realised it was all going far too well and I started thinking a bit too much). Oddly I found the actual exam more relaxing than the practice. :confused:
 
2007, passed theory first time.

Passed practical 3rd time. Blah blah blah excuses for the first two :p

Started learning in circa February 2007, passed test in August 2007.
 
Passed back in October.
Theory & HazPercep - Re-read Highway Code and did some online practices, to get the hang of the click-window. Passed first time.

Practical - Took 28 lessons, mainly to get me out of the motorcycle habits enough. Passed first time with 2 minors (due to driving it like I was riding the bike, but the examiner recognised this).
 
Back in 2010, passed both first time. Took maybe 2 or 3 months having a lesson every 1-2 weeks. Ended up having to wait a few weeks where I didn't need/have any lessons for the earliest available test slot.
 
I can't remember the exact amount but I started learning around March, usually a lesson per week, but sometimes missed a week or two before passing first time come the end of October 2012. I failed the theory by "1 mark" on the hazard awareness part. Yeah right.

My instructor taught me, most of my friends, is a local guy and in his day job teaches the police. Had good banter and gave excellent advice. "Look at this idiot. He's overtook you as you have an L on the back and now you're sat behind him doing 30 in a 40... I wonder if he wants my number".
 
Passed theory first time. Didn't put too much effort into it, seemed easy as long as you remember the signs.

The reaction test was a bit confused, I think you had to click when you say a hazard, then click once the hazard had passed. Im sure people fail based on not understanding when to click. Still, managed to pass.

Passed Practical first time. Had a good couple of lessons, as I was scared of driving. So probably had around 20 Hours.

All in all, a couple of months.
 
My daughter passed first time last year after about 25 lessons. No idea how she passed if I'm honest. She has no confidence and nearly killed us both on her first drive after passing! My son takes his test tomorrow after 20 lessons. He's much better - I'll be amazed if he fails.

Around here the wait for a test is ridiculous though. Not sure if it's just the norm now, but it's 10-12 weeks wait.
 
Sagalout said:
Around here the wait for a test is ridiculous though. Not sure if it's just the norm now, but it's 10-12 weeks wait.
Click to expand...

Its the same most places, you get odd days free etc, but for the most part, its quite a wait.

Depending where the test centre is depends on the best time to book too, for example, I took my test in Chertsey, I was told to avoid rush hour, there are a few colleges and schools around and my instructor said the last thing you want to contend with, is parents rushing around and pulling out on you because they have to get to work after the school run.

I assumed rush hour was a good time as you could be sat in traffic for lots of the test but you need to be able to get the independent drive and the manoeuvre done within the time limit or your test can be void.
 
It was around a 6-8 week wait here which I wasn't looking forward to as it would have meant a lack of consistent prior driving but then my instructor rang me on a Tuesday night to say he had a cancellation at 11am the next day! Was great, didn't even have time to get nervous :D
 
6 weeks at 1x1.5 hour lesson a week.

I did have a lot of time in my mum's car though. She's a very nervous passenger!

This was in *checks licence* 2004.

Edit: I used to do motocross as a kid so gears and clutch control were all natural to me.
 
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Passed both parts first time. I had 7 lessons plus an hour before the test just to try and eliminate my habit of pulling away from traffic lights without checking my mirrors.

Took my first lesson 27 July 2007 and passed 8 weeks (to the day) later on 27 September 2007. I had one minor for, you guessed it, pulling away from the lights without checking my mirrors!

My driving experience prior to taking lessons was an afternoon thrashing a beige 1.3 Skoda Favorit around a farmer's field :D
 
A few days with the Highway Code had the theory licked for me. Took one lesson a week between turning 17 and passing my test (except for the fortnight in Florida). Two double lessons just before test. 6 lessons, 6 weeks it took. Theory was taken on my birthday though.
 
For the car it was about 24 hours in total, in 2hr blocks. Passed over about 8 weeks, with private practice in my parents car also. Passed theory first time, including hazard perception. Practical passed first time with 3 minors, vision, speed and hesitation.

On the bike, passed my theory again (new version) first time with no study (8 years of driving the car made it a lot easier). MOD1 first time after 1 day of tuition, MOD2 second time with 3 days tuition. I blocked the worlds most faded keep clear the first time , doh!
 
Passed the theory test (twice, let the first one expire!) first time, and also passed the practical test first time with a clean sheet :D.

Total of around 15 2h lessons - Late starter, passed at the age of 30! :p
 
Passed first time almost exactly a year ago (yikes - already!) with 4 minors and after a second theory - failed first time by just one or two points on hazard perception I think.

Can't remember how many lessons I had but I wasn't rushing it and to be honest I didn't exactly "enjoy" learning but it took about a year from first lesson to test ...

^ I passed just before hitting 30 Pez - figured I had to get it done before ending my twenties!
 
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