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Original poster

DD - learning to drive

64 replies

BlackBean2023 · 12/09/2024 10:40

DD is 17 and about to start driving lessons. The closest test date at our local test centre is February.

I know we can book any test and wait for a cancellation but the whole system is weird and stressful to me so I'd rather just get one booked and keep it.

Would we be mad to book it now (her theory is next week) and assume that in 5 months DD can learn to drive!? She'll be having 3 hours tuition a week - one 1 hour lesson and one 2 hour lesson - with an instructor so will have had around 60 hours with an instructor plus regular practice in her own car with us.

A couple of instructors seem put off by the idea of her a) completing her theory before she's had a lesson and b) working to a test deadline albeit one 5 months away!

OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 12/09/2024 10:56

I’d definitely book it, you could always reschedule if needed. Covid caused a huge backlog when both of mine were ready to sit tests and when dd decided she was ready and booked her test she had to wait 6 months until test, so once theory is passed book it then.

Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:53

StiggyZardust · 12/09/2024 10:52

DS turned 17 in July and passed his test in October. He had about 8 hours of lessons.
The best thing we did was to get him to drive everywhere we went. Loads of practice so he was a confident driver.

Yes practice is the key.

Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:52

Callaphone · 12/09/2024 10:48

It's normal now, since COVID. Massive backlog still and DVLA doesn't seem to care. Hugely unfair on our young people.

Edited because in my skim reading I completely missed most of the OP. Apologies.

Edited
Show quote history

Massively unfair. You think they would want to offer more tests as it’s money into government coffers.

But maybe it is difficult to qualify as a driving examiner (I have no idea) ?

StiggyZardust · 12/09/2024 10:52

DS turned 17 in July and passed his test in October. He had about 8 hours of lessons.
The best thing we did was to get him to drive everywhere we went. Loads of practice so he was a confident driver.

WendyHoused · 12/09/2024 10:51

Our experience recently was that you had to book your theory test before an instructor would take you on, and you can’t book the driving test until you’ve passed your theory.

Typical wait was around 5-7 months for a driving test from date of booking. Good driving instructors tended to have waiting lists of several months.

MigGril · 12/09/2024 10:51

A couple of instructors seem put off by the idea of her a) completing her theory before she's had a lesson and b) working to a test deadline albeit one 5 months away!

That's odd, we're looking at this now and DD'S friend who has already started lessons said her instructor asked that she has passed the theory test before her lessons started. So we've already booked DD into a theory test, I've yet to book lessons. But will do as soon as she passes the test then book her practical as like you it could be months before one is available. DH is hoping to teacher her some as well, but we are also going to so lessons.

Original poster
BlackBean2023 · 12/09/2024 10:49

IncognitoPanda · 12/09/2024 10:47

I’m not sure you can even book a practical test until you’ve passed the theory as you used to need the theory certificate number to book a practical test

She has a theory test booked next week and I would be very surprised if she doesn't pass as she's been revising for months!

She'll definitely learn manual. dMiL lives on private land so she already knows the basics of moving off/changing gear but will need proper tuition on the right way to drive!

OP posts:
Callaphone · 12/09/2024 10:48

Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:43

I did one of those week long courses started on a Monday and the test Friday lunchtime. (This was many moons ago) so I would think 5 months is plenty of time.

Is it normally this long to get a test date?

It's normal now, since COVID. Massive backlog still and DVLA doesn't seem to care. Hugely unfair on our young people.

Edited because in my skim reading I completely missed most of the OP. Apologies.

Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:48

BlackBean2023 · 12/09/2024 10:45

Booking a driving test now is like a drug deal - seriously, people selling short notice tests at inflated prices on Snapchat is an actual thing!

Show quote history

Ok 😂 wasn’t like that back in my day you could get one for the next day.

IncognitoPanda · 12/09/2024 10:47

I’m not sure you can even book a practical test until you’ve passed the theory as you used to need the theory certificate number to book a practical test

LostTheMarble · 12/09/2024 10:45

That’s an awful lot of pressure to put on your daughter. She hasn’t taken one lesson yet, she doesn’t know how quickly she’ll take to it. Is she driving manual for example, a few people find after many lessons that they can’t take to it and prefer automatic. Knowing she already has a test booked for February means she’s heading in with a certain timeframe expected to be test ready. The theory is less so, if she passes that then obviously it’s a two year timeframe. I’d hold off for at least a month before even looking at a test date, and even then take her lead. She’s old enough to make these bookings herself.

Original poster
BlackBean2023 · 12/09/2024 10:45

Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:43

I did one of those week long courses started on a Monday and the test Friday lunchtime. (This was many moons ago) so I would think 5 months is plenty of time.

Is it normally this long to get a test date?

Booking a driving test now is like a drug deal - seriously, people selling short notice tests at inflated prices on Snapchat is an actual thing!

OP posts:
Poppins21 · 12/09/2024 10:43

I did one of those week long courses started on a Monday and the test Friday lunchtime. (This was many moons ago) so I would think 5 months is plenty of time.

Is it normally this long to get a test date?

MissUltraViolet · 12/09/2024 10:42

I'd get one booked, you can always change it in a couple of months if it looks like she won't be ready by then.

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