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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Driving lessons & breastfeeding

86 replies

PeppersTheCat · 26/10/2017 11:00

Are driving lessons all 2 hours long these days?? I'm breastfeeding my 2 month old and was very excited to pay for and book my first driving lessons. However when I phoned to arrange my first lesson, the company "Pass & Go" said that lessons were 2 hours long and this was non-negotiable. They didn't care that I was breastfeeding. I told them I couldn't be away from baby for 2 hours and expected lessons would be 1 hour. They didn't care. In the end I had to ask for a refund (they charged me £10 to refund). AIBU to be upset? :( I can't express very well. Does this mean I can't learn to drive until baby is weaned?

OP posts:

MorrisZapp · 26/10/2017 11:02

Most driving schools offer one and two hour lessons.

sleepyhead · 26/10/2017 11:03

Do they not pick you up and drop you off back at your house? If your baby isn't going 2 hours between feeds at the moment they probably will fairly soon.

8 weeks is very tiny. When they are bigger you'll be able to leave them for longer and do a 2 hour lesson.

Original poster

PeppersTheCat · 26/10/2017 11:04

I was shocked that they literally would not negotiate on times. I explained my situation but they were completely unsympathetic. The length of their lessons was not stated on the website.

OP posts:

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 26/10/2017 11:05

Two hours is quite long to concentrate when you're starting out.
Someone locally must do one hour lesson.

I don't understand why you booked a 2 hour lesson if you wanted a one hour lesson

Original poster

PeppersTheCat · 26/10/2017 11:06

I didn't book 2 hours. The length of their lessons was not stated on the website. They ask you to pay (which I did) and then phone them. It was only when I phoned them that they said lessons were 2 hours long.

OP posts:

gamerchick · 26/10/2017 11:08

Go to a different school, get some recommendations. Passngo have quite a high first time failure rate anyway.

gamerchick · 26/10/2017 11:09

What’s area are you in, maybe one of us can recommend somewhere?

harlandgoddard · 26/10/2017 11:09

I learnt to drive recently and I had 2 hour lessons but you could choose to have 1 hour lessons as well. It was with BSM. I’m not convinced 2 hours helps you learn quicker tbh although obviously I haven’t done both so who knows!

Bettyspants · 26/10/2017 11:10

2 hours?! Bloody hell thats incredibly long! Go elsewhere

Original poster

PeppersTheCat · 26/10/2017 11:16

I'm in Newcastle

OP posts:

BelafonteRavenclaw · 26/10/2017 11:16

I learnt with the AA and they offered 30 min, 1, 1.5 and 2 hour lessons. This was 6 years ago so things may have changed.

Pengggwn · 26/10/2017 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ButtfaceMiscreant · 26/10/2017 11:18

I learned with ebf twins, it is doable - just feed before you go and as soon as you get back. It was more uncomfortable for me as my breasts refilled but not unreasonably so. As you get further into your lessons your little one won't require feeding so often so it will be easier.

Misspollyhadadollie · 26/10/2017 11:19

Nope when I was doing
Lessons I could pick between
One and two. With both companies I went with, walkers and red.

messyjessy17 · 26/10/2017 11:24

YABU. You booked and paid for driving lessons without even asking how long they were? That's not their fault. You could have booked one hour lessons somewhere else easily.

worraMoaner · 26/10/2017 11:26

Are you practicing your Guardian sad face?

I can see why they do this as they'll likely earn more money, not wasting time moving between jobs. They're a business and not there to make friends. If it affects a lot of people, they'll lose customers and change their model.

Not a helpful reply as such but yes, you're being a bit unreasonable.

As I'd struggle to remember my left and right when I had a 2 month old, would you not be better postponing the lessons until you're less sleep deprived?

I'd also recommend intensive courses. Both my children got through them very quickly and more cheaply than others who had a few hours here and there. Large outlay in one go, of course.

Original poster

PeppersTheCat · 26/10/2017 11:28

My problem is that their website does NOT state how long lessons are. You only learn about this AFTER you have paid.

I feel what has happened is sexual discrimination. Men don't have boobs. They haven't got to worry about this.

OP posts:

grimeofthecentury · 26/10/2017 11:29

Sorry but sexual discrimination... are you mad

Two hour lessons are better. If you can't concentrate for two hours driving might not be for you

ImEoinMcLove · 26/10/2017 11:30

Yeah I had the same problem OP & kinda had to wait til my DS was about 4.5 months old before I could leave him for 2 hours.

I arranged the lessons for 1st thing in the morning (8am) & fed just before I went.

The 2 hr lesson is definitely a thing near me, none would do 1 hour

gamerchick · 26/10/2017 11:31

I’ve PMd you OP

worraMoaner · 26/10/2017 11:31

"I feel what has happened is sexual discrimination."

lol

MorrisZapp · 26/10/2017 11:31

Okaaaaay.

Papafran · 26/10/2017 11:32

Why don't you wait a bit and learn when your baby is a little bit older (like just a few months older)? Surely before paying all the money, you need to check the terms- ie how much is the lesson, how long is it etc?

Why don't you link to the driving school so that we can see what is on their website? You might have missed it.

Ceto · 26/10/2017 11:35

I do think they're in the wrong for not making it clear how long lessons are for, and for charging £10 for a refund when you can't manage two hours for good reasons. After all, the same problems could arise for someone who can only take an hour off work, or has limited babysitting facilities. But I don't think you'll get anywhere arguing sex discrimination.

RiversrunWoodville · 26/10/2017 11:38

Stupid question Newcastle England op (rather than NI?)

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