Two hour lessons - good idea?

Tesla · 1 Feb 2007 at 12:49

AcidHell2 said:
They can't teach you the test routes, but they can drive you around the area, so you know the roads. The tester can take you anywhere within about a 20min drive of the centre.

I always thought there were predetermined routes?

Reason being is I passed second time. I did the same route both times but in opposite directions.

I doubt anybody could concentrate solid for 2hours. If on a longer drive there are a few seconds where your concentration does lapse I find. I usually stop for 10mins or so when this happens.

Glaucus · 1 Feb 2007 at 12:50

Tesla said:
I always thought there were predetermined routes?

Reason being is I passed second time. I did the same route both times but in opposite directions.

Not unless they have changed it, I did do it 5-6 years ago.

Mark A · 1 Feb 2007 at 12:50

Tesla said:
My friend does not teach his students the test routes and does not get them to continually practice them.

He wants his students to be able to comfortably drive anywhere, not just the test routes.

I think this is a good idea. No point passing your test then having no confidence to drive anywhere. I have friends like this.

Well my instructor teaches me the test routes and also other areas of road, he also insists on me taking lessons in different weather conditions and in the dark to get more experience. Ive been on a dual carriageway at 70 overtaking cars, big roundabouts, small roundabouts, narrow country roads, housing estates, basically everything you'd encounter in the real world. With a 1 hour lesson a week i think he would have had to concentrate on just the test route.

Adz · 1 Feb 2007 at 12:52

I did 4 hour lessons on my intensive course. It wasn't nearly as taxing as you'd imagine. I say go for it, at worst you'll get better value for money (less time wasted driving to/from as mentioned).

tom_nieto · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:05

I had 2 hour lessons. I think it was a good idea as 1 hour just wasn't enough.

chrislusty · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:13

i got bored of doing reverse park, turn in the road and reverse around the corner for two hours, so only had 1hour lessons, sometimes 1.5 hours. all other lessons were only an hour. Sometimes i would try to get more than one lesson a week in.
Its what ever you find best will work for you.

Begbie · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:17

I done 1.5hour lessons much better, by time you got to where he had got you was 20mins into the lesson.

Guigsy · 1 Feb 2007 at 19:28

When you first start, even 1 hour is pretty taxing. With my 'do or die trying' type instructor, I was a nervous mess after an hour for the first few times. Then I had a couple of 1.5s, then on to 2s. Start easy, but work your way up.

As people have mentioned, if you've not driven for a few days while you're learning, it takes a few minutes to the swing of things. You've also got the same roads to and from home that you know like the back of your hand and don't learn much. 1 hour starts off plenty because everying is sooo hard, however, it isn't enough after a while.

You should feel knackered after a lesson, but not totally exhausted otherwise you'll just not be taking much in. Do whatever is best for you mate.

ste_bla · 1 Feb 2007 at 20:12

where i lived no choice as 30 mins to the test area, was hard at first and nackering however at the end sooo worth it!

Noni Juice · 1 Feb 2007 at 20:46

2 hours is too long, I get bored/tired after 1:30hours.

Go for 1:30hours lessons they are best.

lordrobs · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:02

I was fine with 2 hour lessons but would I have needed twice as many 1 hour lessons? No way.

2 hour lessons are most efficient in terms of time and 1 hour lessons are most efficient in terms of cost imo. Depends on what is more important to you.

DiG · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:10

I love driving and had been looking forward to being able to learn for the past 3 years so for me the 2 hours felt like they where over too soon. When your pretty close to being test standard doing a long drive is a good idea, like I drove Southampton-Coventry-Southampton in a day which helped me loads with being able to concentrate and knowing when I need to take a break!

Dashik · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:11

jellybeard999 said:
Because each minute is precious and it costs a fortune (i know it will cost to insure, fuel etc) but to a 17 year old, £20ish an hour is a lot, those 5 minutes just cost him £1.75 ish )

If they dont mind i suppose tho lol

Oh and me being the greedy driving instructor type you think i'm so anal as to not extend the lesson by 5 mins?

Mind you its not like I sit at the side of the road with them very often waffling for 20 mins about some trivial mistake they made!

I can assure you my guys get excellent value for money and I turn up early on the day of the test free of charge

The Edge · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:12

Up till now 1hr lessons have been fine, it's just if you're going to do a parallell park it can be up to 15 minuites trying to find somewhere. Add to that a LHR or 3 point turn and the lesson has gone before you know it.

When i go out and practice i go for an hour, and try to get out 3 times a week, but that's a little differant as 1) I'm not paying and 2) It's pitch dark and more taxing than daylight, at least it is at the moment.

Dashik · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:16

lordrobs said:
I was fine with 2 hour lessons but would I have needed twice as many 1 hour lessons? No way.

2 hour lessons are most efficient in terms of time and 1 hour lessons are most efficient in terms of cost imo. Depends on what is more important to you.

Actually no, most people need more lessons if they go 1 hour at a time, thats most people mind not eveyone.

Time this least time and cost to pass test attitude went, Its about being able to drive safely, not just pass a test, theres a world of difference.

Hands up anyone here that asks for the cheapest quickest health and safety course at work to operate XXX dangerous machine etc?

You guys do realise that if you get it wrong driving can kill you? Why is it you'll spend ££££££'s on the car and insurance etc but not 1p more than the absolute minimum on the training to use it properly?

IS good training not an investment in yourself?

Logsi · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:22

2 hours is fine! I had 2 hours when i was learning at the start of last year.

I 3, 2 hour lessons a week. 6 hours a week in total. and passed first time after 2 months.

Well worth it imo.

Josh

Jackal · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:42

i used to do 3 hour lessons, no concentration problems here, and i passed first time

SoliD · 1 Feb 2007 at 21:48

2 hours all the way, means you can go places you wont know so well which improves your overall driving, and helps you master your concentration, which to be honest when driving needs to be at its peak at all times, after 10mins or 1 hour 50.

Morba · 1 Feb 2007 at 22:39

AcidHell2 said:
Good roads , if he's worth paying he will take you round the roads you'll be using on the test day.

if he is worth paying he will teach you to drive on any road and give you the confidence to drive in an area which may be unfamiliar.

your comment is the reason why peoples driving standards after passing seem to be going downhill, because driving instructors seem intent on doing test routes rather than pure driving skills.

Dashik · 1 Feb 2007 at 23:05

Morba said:
your comment is the reason why peoples driving standards after passing seem to be going downhill, because driving instructors seem intent on doing test routes rather than pure driving skills.

Thats some driving instructors not all please

Oh and usually its trying to get tightwad pupil through test at minimum cost.

And the standard drops because the pupil suddenly thinks they are elite drivers and dont have to bother with all that faff the instructor taught as they now know so much better etc.....

Personally I tell them straight from the start, If you want to learn to drive safely and well then I'm your man, if you just want to pass the test then go elsewhere.