How many driving lessons did you need without private practice?

[prestigiouspasta]

How many lessons did it take you to learn to drive, if you couldn't practice in between?

I'm saving up to learn to drive, but I don't really know how much I'll need. I don't have anyone I can practice with in between lessons.

I cycle regularly so am comfortable with road signs etc, but have never even sat in a driver's seat before. I am considering learning automatic, but not set on it.

Definitely do automatic, it’s so much easier.

Learning to drive came as a bit of a shock to 17 year old DS, he didn't take to it at all, he really struggled with it and found it difficult, he always sailed through everything at school and got very good exam results so hadn't really experienced not being able to do something easily and I think he thought this might be easy too, all his friends were passing and he was taking hour after hour of lessons.

24

no driving in between as no access to a car. Passed first time. And yes, I am chuffed.

I think it's very different learning as an adult and the test has changed a lot

People's experiences from 20, 30 years ago are not going to be very helpful to OP.

This happened to me last year. Took lessons with a local school, and the instructor couldn't stay off his phone. Always texting people and giggling. Then he started telling me how all his female students begged him to "bend them over the bonnet". Umm no. Sorry, but looking at him, there's no way on earth this happened.

I stopped using him and now my partner is teaching me. It's scary as we don't have the dual pedals that an instructor car would have. I don't enjoy it but since we moved out of the city, I absolutely have to do it.

Op, it does massively vary, you're right. My sister found it very hard when she was 18, but is now a great driver. My brother needed about 5 lessons and was a natural. I've waited so long because my dad died and he was paying for my lessons when I was 18. Then I just never bothered as I'm from London, but since we moved, the need for driving is massive.

You are aware how tricky it is to get a test OP? Factor in a long wait, particularly if you want a particular test centre - we ended up driving 2hrs for DS’s second test. It’s supposedly improving, but not so you’d notice! My teens all had about 40hrs of lessons. I would also choose an instructor that can take you on motorways -that is a most important skill to master,
I’d definitely go for an automatic - there won’t be manual cars eventually. My kids all insisted on learning manual but I think it’s a complete waste of time now, and much more effort.

Lessons are around £40-45 per hour. Most instructors tend to offer 1.5 or 2 hour.

Maybe 20 lessons - they were paid for in batches of 10 and I don’t think I did 30. I think they were 1.5 hrs each.
Don’t think it crossed my parents’ minds to put me on their insurance and take me out to practice.

It’s now only possible to switch to the nearest three test centers, and can only rearrange twice. Tests must be booked by the candidate. Check out wait times at your local sites as soon as you can to get an idea on local delays