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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that most driving instructors take the mick?

116 replies

StuckForWords · 13/11/2011 19:51

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?

OP posts:

grovel · 13/11/2011 22:52

FFS, just ask someone you like who taught them. Get some references from like-minded people. Then stick to a teacher.

nellie02 · 13/11/2011 22:56

hmmm, interesting thread. I'm learning to drive a bit late in life now, and actually really enjoying it, although it was terrifying at the start.

OP, are you sure you're getting good value for money from the intensive courses? I find it useful to have a 2 hour lesson and then some time off (a fortnight in my case which is probably a little long) when somehow things seep in without me realising it.

I also spent ages finding an instructor with a good reputation (not the same as a quick pass rate), and had a 'trial' lesson before I signed up to any more lessons.

Since it's taken you 15 years to get this far, why not just get lessons once a fortnight from a really good instructor, and you'll pass sooner than you think...

Xmasbaby11 · 13/11/2011 23:00

I've bought lessons in blocks of 10, but I've been under no illusions that 10 lessons is enough to pass. That's common knowledge. Some people may be able to pass after 10 hours if:

They have passed the test in another country and just need to learn the UK system, or
They are exceptionally quick learners and
They get lots of practice elsewhere

When a driving instructor tells you you need more lessons, it's because you need more lessons.

I know it's really hard to justify and budget for an almost infinite amount of money, but as you say it would make such a difference to your career, it is worth it.

bananamam · 13/11/2011 23:08

Not read the whole thread...but YABU.

I had 15 lessons...not planned...I just went to my lesson once a week...instructor booked my test and told me the date about 8 weeks before it happened as they had a waiting list. So 7 weeks into lessons, she knew when I would, roughly be ready.

If you have a genuine instructor they will not string you along. I passed first time. Instructors are vetted, and if they have to many fails they themselves fail(in Scotland at least). They are also checked to make sure they don't con.

Id say ask friends for instructor recommendations.......and to be honest if 15 years on you still are not able to drive...perhaps call it a day!

PeelThemWithTheirMetalKnives · 13/11/2011 23:12

I think the poor OP has been under a misapprehension, not because driving instructors are taking the mick but because she has not picked up on what to most of us is common knowledge. The advertising often offers 10 lessons for x pounds so it seems that she's taken that as meaning that's all you need to learn to drive, whereas that's just an offer/deal. If I hadn't had an older brother I wouldn't have had any idea how long it takes to learn to drive.

OP, start again, and be prepared to spend 40-60 hours learning to drive (with an instructor for all of that if you don't have anyone else to take you out). Yes, it's expensive but worth it in the end. I don't think most instructors will string you along. Mine was nagging me that I was ready to take my test because I kept putting it off.

Good luck. You can do it if you start and stick with it.

valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 23:17

Yeah the 10 lessons is just a rate at which you pay slightly less for each lesson if you book them in a block of 10.

It cost me over £2,000 to pass, that was with 2 tests at nearly £100 each including the lesson before hand.

Original poster

StuckForWords · 13/11/2011 23:24

You'd have thought an instructor might have mentioned some of this? Even my own parents could never understand why the ten or so lessons they bought me as a teenager didn't work. It can't be that "common" a piece of knowledge!

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 23:26

It's pretty obvious OP

The ads don't say 'Pass in 10 lessons' do they? They say '10 lessons for £xxx'

Original poster

StuckForWords · 13/11/2011 23:29

I think ten lessons including pre-test lesson and use of the car for the test, does imply that though!

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 23:33

I only know of 2 people ever that passed in 10 lessons - one was my driving instructor's daughter and the other was the teenager that had his test just before mine, he was 17 and passed first time!

Usually you need one lesson for every year of your age plus more. Calculate that and you have a rough idea of how much it will cost you to learn.

ExcitedElectrons · 13/11/2011 23:41

I'm 17, birthday was July, passed in October. My instructor was amazing and now most of my friends have him.

Your either doing something very wrong or your not cut out for driving.

PeelThemWithTheirMetalKnives · 14/11/2011 00:18

Do your parents drive, OP? If not, that may be why they thought 10 lessons would be all that it would take.

However, take it from us now, you have been labouring under a misapprehension!

Iggly · 14/11/2011 05:50

Er no OP, I don't know anyone that's thought that. You need to speak to your instructors about what you want.

Iggly · 14/11/2011 05:53

Taken from a driving school's website:

What lessons you'll need
Your instructor will estimate how long you are likely to need after your first lesson. The current average is 45 hours of tuition (Driving Standards Agency average, 2006), with 22 hours of private practice. Two-hour lessons and our tips for practising driving can help you learn faster.

Selky · 14/11/2011 09:13

Lots of older people think that 10 lessons is ample to learn to drive. My Dad had 5. DH's grandad never had to sit a test at all as he started driving before the test was introduced!

It took me more than 200 lessons and 6 tests. My family think there is something wrong with me!

CustardIsMyNemesis · 14/11/2011 10:23

You can pass with an intensive course, however you have to have the right instructor, and you have to devote time to it. Ask for an assessment of your driving before committing to a block booking. A good instructor will be able to tell you (roughly!) how many lessons you will need from a short driving assessment.

Check their grade as someone said before. Also check that they are a 'Green Badge Holder' (An ADI) not a 'Pink Badge Holder' (A PDI). PDI's have not passed their final exam, so will not have the experience of an ADI.

Instructors do not like putting you forward for your test if you are not ready as it appears badly on them. Their pass/fail rate is recorded, so if they keep putting people in for test that they know will fail, this looks really bad on their stats.

A good instructor will not be the cheapest, but will be one that is willing to discuss your needs with you. Independent driving instructors (so not with a school like BSM, AA etc) have built up their own business so don't rely on the big names/advertising budgets to get them business (although there can be some gooduns working for them), they usually rely on recommendations so need to work that bit harder!

Can anyone guess who is married to a Grade 6 instructor? :)

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