How many driving lessons before you took your kid out to practice?

[StressedLP1]

Just wondering what others did.

I taught by DS the basics in a vary quiet car park and he’s now had three lessons with an instructor where they go in fairly quiet roads.

Shoujd I be taking him for practice now or wait till he’s had more lessons?

I disagree with that view too. I am not dismissive I am stating my view that happens to be opposing many here but instead of accepting I have a different view. I am being called daft, shortsighted and dismissive? My view is "operating heavy machinery should be taught only by qualified people." I do not limit this to cars btw

Nothing stops you from taking more driving lessons. (I am aware it is expensive)
Look at other countries like Norway they have the lowest car crashes in the world. While they like in the UK permits an companion you have to have at least 150 hours driving experience and complete a four day training course which covers, general advice, what to do if you or others were involved in a car accident, including how to administer first aid and the basic rules of the road.

I have attached the Danish rules for driving licences.

Simply because someone has a different view to you does not mean they are daft. Dismissive or short sighted all stuff I have been called on this thread due to my view that driving a car is not something everyone should teach. I have not told one of you to not do so or that you should campaign for a different law. I have merely stated what "my" view is. I have not claimed that anyone else's view is not allowable nor have I claimed their view is wrong. Nor have I said that it is not a good idea to have a lot of driving experience. I just personally believe that experience should come from someone qualified. Not someone who has been driving for years and likely picked up all sort of bad habits.

@Enko I actually had 20 driving lessons and 2000 miles of practice. I agree with you that professional instruction is required, but I also think as much practice with an experienced driver as possible is also essential. I’m sorry you’ve lost people on the road, having been in a head on collision myself (not my fault) I agree road safety is not to be messed around with.

Thank you. I have close family members that were killed due to inexperienced drivers so for me this is very personal.

I dont feel I am a poor driver I've been driving for 30odd years but I know I have bad habits I would not have had with my driving instructor.

A close friend was sent on an advanced driving course with his work. He said it was incredibly difficult to accept someone else critiquing his driving. He also acknowledged he learned a lot and he had missed poor habits he had picked up while driving for many years.

I don't intend on taking my child out for any practice, just as my mum didn't with any of us three of her kids in the early 2000s. We all passed first time and my mum kept her nerves intact. My eldest turns 17 later this year so this has been on my mind and I just can't see me being able to cope in the passenger seat with her learning!

I think the kids whose parent have taken them out are probably going to be safer drivers than those just out with an instructor. We plan to get our learning child to drive us all over as soon as they are 17, alongside some lessons. That way they will have experienced bad conditions, being tired, heavy traffic etc all before they pass and are out on their own. The more experience the better in my view.

I took ours out after about 4 1 hour lessons . When I was learning I went out with my parents immediately

We were lucky to live relatively close to https://drivecardrome.com/ and went 3-4 times just before our DD started formal driving lessons. So after another 3-4 instructor led sessions, we just started driving around whenever we could, aiming for at least 4 days per week.

My daughter will be taking her test soon. Do I have to notify insurance if she passes and will this instantly lead to a much higher premium, does anyone happen to know?

Yes and yes.
Don't let her drive home from the test even until you have spoken to the insurers as she almost certainly will no longer be covered as soon as she's passed her test. My DS was very disgruntled about that!

Yes. If she takes the test in her own car she can't drive home.
DS's learner insurance was £250.
Once he passed it went up to £1900 (sensible shared car).

Christ! And thank you 😀

Same happened to us. I had to drive back from the test centre. Also we found out afterwards a LOT of insurers wouldn’t cover a newly passed driver at age 17.