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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed my driving instructor finishes my lessons early

25 replies

user1498403489 · 25/06/2017 16:20

I don't know if I'm being unreasonable or petty here but it does annoy me.

I pay for a 2 hours lesson every fortnight and it costs me £48.

This is a lot for me as I'm currently on minimum wage but I have no choice as my commute is so long that I desperately need to learn to drive.

My lesson starts at 11am. At 12:30am we start 'heading home'. Getting outside my door at 12:50am. Then he marks me for the lesson and books me in for the next one. The lesson finishes at 12:55am.

I just feel a bit ripped off really. It's with the AA so not a dodgy independent place.

I know it's only 5 minutes but that adds up and the other 5 minutes is spent marking my progress report etc.

I am a teacher and charge a similar rate for tuition. If someone pays for 2 hours I'd have then arrive 10:55am and stop at 1 with marking and discussion a few minutes after.

I just feel like im being given the bare minimum.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
user1498403489 · 25/06/2017 16:21

Got a bit confused with my am and pm there! Th lessons finish at midday not midnight!! Grin

OP posts:
NorthernLurker · 25/06/2017 16:26

I think that's pretty standard. They need to allow enough time to get back comfortably and then get away from you in time to get to their next lesson.

Groupie123 · 25/06/2017 16:28

Sounds standard.

LottieDoubtie · 25/06/2017 16:28

I think doing the progress stuff working your allocated time frame is fine- but finishing at 12.55 isn't really. You are paying for 2 hours of the instructors time, so you should be getting that imo.

CatWranglersAnonymous · 25/06/2017 16:29

I can see how it would be frustrating OP. Could you bring it up with your driving instructor at all, and let them know how you feel?

Spam88 · 25/06/2017 16:33

Perfectly reasonable for the marking etc to be done within your 2 hours, but he shouldn't be finishing early. If you get home a little earlier than expected he should be raking you round the block or doing manoeuvres or something with you. He should be allowing enough time between bookings that he doesn't need to eat into your time to get to his next appointment.

Original poster
user1498403489 · 25/06/2017 16:34

I don't want to bring it up. I will just quietly be annoyed because I'm British!

OP posts:
allegretto · 25/06/2017 16:36

Really? You are not really missing out on anything. He probably leaves that time to answer any questions or arrange the next lesson.

araiwa · 25/06/2017 16:36

i guess that the time you get back can depend on traffic.. so he is allowing a bit of leeway.

i really wouldnt be arsed about 5 minutes here or there

grobagsforever · 25/06/2017 16:38

Just say 'oh we've got five mins left, can I practice a quick park?'

Sophiealice95 · 25/06/2017 17:00

It's only 5 mins op I think you have to give him a bit of leeway

IdlePhilosophy · 25/06/2017 17:02

Well put it this way, if you booked a 1 hour massage, you wouldn't expect to lie down at exactly 11am and be massaged until 12 noon exactly - because you need to get in and out and appointments tend to be on the hour or half past.

So an 1 hour massage is probably closer to 50 mins - allowing for 5 mins in and out.

Same with a driving lesson. It's normal.

If a business was run in the way you suggest, the people providing the service would not be able to run a viable business because they would have to have big gaps in the day to factor in the change over.

No one wants a lesson that starts at 9.13 for example that would be weird.

ElleMcElle · 25/06/2017 17:03

I think marking and booking in next lesson within your time is fine - so if the difference on top of that is only 5 mins, I would probably leave it. It's difficult to estimate exactly how long it will take to get back with traffic etc. Better to have a 1 hr 55 min lesson with a driving instructor you get on with than a 2 hour lesson with an awkward atmosphere in the car.

Trollspoopglitter · 25/06/2017 17:04

Look at your watch, explain with surprise that Oh, we finished a bit early today! That reminds me, I wanted to clarify/ask/ and ask some questions about your progress or advice on how to best do something. What the acronym for remembering xyz again?

Tell him it's not on in the PA way only other Brits are attuned to

Elendon · 25/06/2017 17:05

I think what the instructor is doing is fine but I'm a bit [shocked] at the cost!

Can you not do it weekly on a block booking and with a single lesson each time?

Ellisandra · 25/06/2017 17:05

grobags suggestion is perfect!

Fine to get back earlier - to make sure not late.
Fine to mark off progress.
You could cut the booking time by booking in blocks?
For the other 5 mins - say positively "as we have another few minutes, I'd like to do a turn in the road"
Don't ask - tell Smile

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 25/06/2017 17:06

It sounds like your home is 20 mins away from your main practice area. We had this with my ds as we live in a rural area so he would travel to the main practice area in town independantly and meet the instructor there, have the full 2 hour lesson then travel back independantly, it meant the time he paid for was more useful.

upwardsandonwards33 · 25/06/2017 17:08

I always brought this is up when my driving instructor did this to me, even when I was 17, and said I expected the full hour. He changed his ways.

Trollspoopglitter · 25/06/2017 17:12

"So an 1 hour massage is probably closer to 50 mins - allowing for 5 mins in and out."

I don't understand this analogy precisely because the instructor isn't stationary and clients change but the other way around. The instructor won't have another lesson starting immediately after, like a hairdresser or a masseuse or even a swimming instructor (Where clients can overlap as they can prep in another area). A more appropriate analogy is a career, who is expected to travel to the client between appointment times.

Trollspoopglitter · 25/06/2017 17:12

Carer

GabsAlot · 25/06/2017 17:14

thy always make their way back about that timed your still driving arent you?

can u pre book a fw weeks in advance rather than every lesson

NoLoveofMine · 25/06/2017 17:15

Got a bit confused with my am and pm there! Th lessons finish at midday not midnight!!

I was going to say you should be ready for your test after a couple of lessons from your original post Grin

I think it's fair enough; the instructor probably knows what they're doing and is teaching the appropriate amount for a two hour lesson within that time. I can understand you'd feel a little short changed though - I'm having hour long lessons and do get the full hour. The main thing is you feel you're making progress and are becoming increasingly confident with your driving?

Yvetteballs · 25/06/2017 17:19

Let it go if you're generally pleased with the lessons.
Used to have a driving instructor who finished early, but she also used to text and make phone calls during the lesson and wasn't making any attempt to get me towards my test, so had to move on.

spiney · 25/06/2017 17:36

5 mins here and there is nothing except if it happens every week in their favour. Never 5 mins over etc . That would annoy me to too.

Sounds like instructor is as time conscious as you are. You'll only have to have 12 lessons and you've missed an hour if he sticks to this timing. Do what Grobags suggested- say brightly if you feel awkward - can we use up the last 5 mins ? I hate wasting time ?! He does need to be told.

GabsAlot · 25/06/2017 23:01

was it same as mine @yvetteballs

im sure its illegal

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