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Original poster

How many driving lessons did your teen (or older) need?

72 replies

roastpotatoesrule · 30/12/2018 17:33

I'm trying to work out how much I need to save for lessons for my ds but have no idea really, how many lessons might be needed. That's paid for ones of course - I'm hoping to do a few extras later on for practice -is that a good idea? Any advice or tips would be most welcome

OP posts:

brizzledrizzle · 30/12/2018 19:06

We took out a separate policy with Marmalade for learner drivers, that was much cheaper than adding onto our insurance.

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2018 19:07

We did DS1's learner insurance through Marmalade so it didn't affect mine or DH's policies. It is expensive but a means to an end.

He passed first time after about 18 lessons ( quite a few 2 hour ones) and a fair bit of practice with me in the passenger seat.

About to do it all over again with DS2 but he's been having Under 17 driving lessons to get all the beginner bits over before he goes on the road.

Piggywaspushed · 30/12/2018 19:12

I did look at Marmalade. DH does not like splashing the cash but he may have to relent.

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Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2018 19:18

I was a bit 'how much?' but thought the extra practice it would allow and therefore the possibility of passing his test sooner justified the price IYKWIM.

Piggywaspushed · 30/12/2018 19:27

Yes, I tend to agree, although there's no way he'll be getting a car after passing , unitl he buys one himself, doubtless in many years! I think it's just a rite of passage tbh and we couldn't think of another 17th birthday present for him!

TeenTimesTwo · 30/12/2018 19:27

Piggy We bought a £600 15 year old car for DD to learn/practice in, and insured through Admiral multicar £475. It 'accidentally' had dual controls.
As I said, upthread she only had 4 paid-for lessons so we reckon it paid for itself really.

TeenTimesTwo · 30/12/2018 19:30

When DD2 learns in 3 years' time, we may well do similar and buy a dual control conversion kit for whatever car we get.

2019hereicome · 30/12/2018 19:31

I was 21 when I passed (couple years ago) and it took about 25 (1-2 hours at a time and multiple a week) lessons with some extra driving at the start of that in my own car. Passed second time.

SofiaAmes · 30/12/2018 19:35

I am in the USA where we are allowed to take our teen out driving in addition to the lessons. My dd practiced driving with me at least 20-30minutes every day for 6 months before taking her test. Most of her friends did much much less. They all passed their tests, but it's super clear how much better a driver dd is because of the extra practice and experience. Her best friend has already been in two accidents within 3 months of getting her license. There are some pretty clear statistics about the number of hours practice correlating with fewer accidents.

WombatChocolate · 30/12/2018 19:41

I know someone who had 100 lessons. They had 2 most weeks after about 4 months when it became clear they were struggling. Parents didn’t take her out for practice, which meant it took longer. Think she passed 3rd time but only had a couple of lessons between 2nd and 3rd test. Her parents paid for a batch and she paid for rest from weekend job.
Some people just learn faster than others!

Piggywaspushed · 30/12/2018 19:47

sofia my DNiece in Alabama didn't even have to do a test!

APositiveMind · 30/12/2018 19:53

I did an intensive course.. qith a rubbish company. Did a 10 hour course and failed as they promised the instructor new the area.. when he turned up I said "Are you local then, they said you knew the area well?" I got "No I've never been before" while he typed it into his sat nav..
So wouldn't recommend an intensive course unless it's a local company.

In total not including the course I think I did around 10 lessons, but my dad and brother often took me out go a quiet estate or river dock, ibqouod even go to a field with my boyfriend and he would let me drive his truck around where I could (illegally) practice.

I passed 'first time' not including the course again. I think being able to just get used to the control of a car without feeling nervous on the road really helped.

I've never had an accident either and u am very confident on the road.

TellerTuesday4EVA · 30/12/2018 20:00

Can't advise on how many lessons as I think it really varies & it's been a long tine since I took my test but with regards to taking him out yourself....

What sort of person & driver are you?? When I was learning both my parents took me out a handful of times until we all agreed it wasn't going to work!! My DGrandad then took me several times a week & he was the best person I could of gone with, masses of patience & no pressure at all. I could be on the kerb & he's be saying 'just a touch to the left'

There's a few years until our DD will be learning but I know for a fact neither DH or I will be able to take her out to practice

3teens2cats · 30/12/2018 20:07

Ds had 1.5hrs a week for about 7 months. We started letting him practise in our car after about 3 months but it was difficult to fit in as dh always needed the car for work or ds was busy.
He found his first instructor made him really anxious and he was progressing really slowly. After a couple of months he changed and then did well. Last few months was really just building up his confidence. He passed first time.

PUGaLUGS · 30/12/2018 21:12

Piggy we took out separate insurance for DS1 with Collingwood Learner Driver insurance. You pay for weeks. DS1 from doing his theory to his test had eight weeks, so I paid for 8 weeks which was around £200. With DS2 I just added him to mine - the cost comparing it to Collingwood was negligible.

anniehm · 30/12/2018 21:15

I had about 30 1 hour lessons plus a couple of 2 hour ones just before my test plus I drove our car a bit (dh isn't a patient teacher so mostly when my dad was visiting). However this was nearly 20 years after failing the first time (about 15 lessons then but had forgotten everything!)

Furrycushion · 30/12/2018 21:18

One driving instructor told me most people need 40-50 hours of lessons. DD had about that but didn't practice much in our car. DS1 had about 35 hours but drove our car a lot. Both passed first time with one minor. DS2 currently on about 20 hours of lessons.

Original poster

roastpotatoesrule · 30/12/2018 22:10

Thanks for all the contributions, it has helped me get more of a picture. I think it's best I save a fair bit upfront, looks like it might get expensive!
tellertuesday your post made me really stop and think - In truth I'm likely to get quite nervous as a passenger so I may have to rethink even going out in my car, or at least leave it till near the test.

OP posts:

MadisonAvenue · 30/12/2018 22:14

Our oldest passed first time and had 38 lesson, his brother passed third time and had over 60 lessons with his instructor and practiced in his own car too.

ComfortablyGlum · 30/12/2018 22:24

My DS has had a block of 10 and learnt the basics. We are booking another block of 10 but after that (if he doesn’t pass) we’ll just insure him on ours to practise. Lessons are £28 a week and insurance as a learner on our (fairly big and brand new) car is £94 a month so not much in it.

He’s not a confident person so we think it might take him a few tests to pass (suffers from high anxiety) purely because of nerves.

Oddsocksandmeatballs · 30/12/2018 22:30

DD one block of 5 x 2 hour lessons and passed 1st time, DS about 4 months of 2 hour lessons once a week plus going out with me in between lessons, passed on his second attempt.

BackforGood · 30/12/2018 22:34

I think the 'only had 10 lessons' brigade are more skewed on this thread than people I know in my real life.
I have 2 dc who have passed in last 3 years and a 3rd one currently learning, so am of an age when I know LOTS of dc learning (or recently passed) and I would say 40 hours is more "usual" than 10 hours.

My 17 yr old has had about 10, 2hour lessons and isn't yet ready to put in for her test. I reckon my 20 yr old (at 17) did about 20, 2hr lessons before passing first time.

Re taking them out yourself - just so you are aware, the driving instructor's car is likely to be quite different from yours, or from one bought especially for your dc. I'm not in any way mechanical but the driving instructors used by 3 young people in a room talking about this last week (3 different instructors) somehow had their cars set up so the learners don't have to find the 'biting point'. None of them needed to put hand brakes on for hill starts. None of them needed to touch the accelerator when lifting the clutch to start the reversing into a parking bay. All needed to learn to drive their parents car or their first car after passing their tests. It might be confusing if they practice on a very different car in between lessons.

Original poster

roastpotatoesrule · 30/12/2018 22:41

That's true backforgood it can be confusing driving different cars. Plus I may have picked up bad habits over the years of course as well. So there could be a lot of scope for stress in my car

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2018 22:42

Yes, DS1 started learning in the instructor's car then once he was driving mine for practice the instructor also taught him in mine and he took his test in it. Save swapping between two different ones.

thereallifesaffy · 30/12/2018 23:00

Each had 12 lessons and passed first time. They drove with me quite a lot though.

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