to think that most driving instructors take the mick?

[StuckForWords]

I've been attempting to learn to drive for 15 years. It's actually seriously damaged my career not being able to.

I've done numerous "courses" over the years advertised by various driving schools/instructors and every single one has said at the end of it, more lessons are needed. These courses always seem to include loan of a car for the test and a pre-test lesson, none of which ever materialises. Shouldn't they refund that at the end if you're not going to get it?

I love my driving instructor, passed my test 1 1/2 years ago and still speak to her every week

Oh god! I've just remembered another driving instructor ( i had several :o) I was so stupid at 18/19 and when he started telling me about his lonely marriage and how it might be nice to meet up I said something along the lines of "do you think she'll mind, I think she'll be a bit annoyed don't you". It was only when I told my friends (who rolled around laughing at me) that I realised he was hitting on me. :(
I think I'm still a bit clueless!

My instructor was ace. We set a target for when I wanted to pass by, booked it once it got closer and worked towards that. We also discussed what sort of driving I'd be doing etc. I passed first time, one minor.
He talked a lot during lessons - that was to help me relax, I could ignore him when focussing, he wasn't fussed.

Incidentally he was with one of the bigger driving schools.

So find the right instructor, take regular lessons over a few months and see how you go.

I learned when I was 17 and the first instructor I had was a lazy git-I think I'd still be learning now! I changed instructors and the 2nd was brilliant-got through my test 1st time, and he taught me to drive rather than to just pass a driving test. He's still teaching now, and I'll probably use him for my kids when they're 17

My first instructor was a nasty perv, and put me in for my test too early. My second was OK but the car broke down on the day of the test and I moved shortly afterwards. If I'd had my 3rd instructor first time round I would have passed first time....

Mine was shit.

I had 20 lessons, then bought a banger and got my very patient mother to sit next to me whilst I practised. Took my test three times (increasingly more pregnant each time ) and passed on the third.

Just get a normal instructor (not courses), take some lessons book a test and take it. I can't believe you have been learning for 15 years and never taken a test . Just do it!

Instructors are graded from 1-6, 1 being not good at all, to 6 being excellent, so look for a grade 5 or 6 instructor.

You have been learning for 15 years and never taken a test? How bizarre. Why don't you do what everyone else does and have lessons until you pass your test? I took 4 tests and took lessons for over 18 months but I did pass. You must have wasted a fortune.

The crazy thing, I banged around the road system in the south-east (including London) on two wheels for years.

Do they do two wheeled cars, do you think?

You say 15 years, but I don't understand how many lessons you had, over what period, each time.

You need a good solid frequent lot of lessons and practice to get on top of it. If you've been doing that, I will reluctantly agree that you aren't cut out to be a driver.

Pigletmania how do you find out their gradings?

My lessons have been batches of around 10 - 15. Usually booked in advance with the never-delivered pre-test lesson and loan of a car.

I have had 10 over the years - yep ten!!! - I was just about to give up when I found one that was AMAZING. If I had had him to begin with I would've passed straight away. Some of them were truly truly shocking including one old perv that shouldn't have been in a car either ANYONE let alone someone who was trying to learn to drive!

I would google e.g grade 6 driving instructors in Milton Keynes (whatever your area) and they should come up with some. I learned that from another MNetter on here . I have failed 4 driving tests, but not ready to learn again at the moment (I am 7 months pg) but will probably go with the AA driving school, or google grade 6 driving instructors when I am ready to learn.

valium that is why you have to see what their gradings are first.

I have recently started driving lessons and had 12 hours so far (6 x 2 hour lessons) - I pay for the lessons in blocks of 10 hours but that is all teaching time. Never heard of it including pre-test lesson, loan of car etc... just book some normal lessons so you are not paying for that each time

My DH is an instructor. He is honest, never tells a pupil that they need more lessons than they do etc etc.

But constantly gets done over by pupils who think that they know better than him.

Example - the girl who was dangerous saying "well, my dad said that I am good enough"

My instructor in the mid 80's tried to rap my knuckles with a stick that he kept under his seat when I made a mistake. Soon got rid of him.

I don't get it either. Why don't you just learn normally?

modrell - why was your dh done over?

Surely you can stoop lessons whenever you want?

btw - how many hours should one do before a test?

StuckForWords
"My lessons have been batches of around 10 - 15"

Doesn't sound like enough. Over what period? And how long were the intervals between courses?