To ask how long it took you to learn to drive?

[Butterflykissess]

I need to learn to drive. I think its my only option as getting out is too difficult without driving. How long did it take you to learn to drive?

12 weeks and about 20 lessons.

3 days on an intensive course....

Positives - passed first time with 2 minors with only 10 hrs in the car,
No time to get nervous, really quick way to get licence.

Negatives- I didn’t experience many driving conditions, I passed my test having never driven in the rain for example. After the initial high of passing 3 days gave me nowhere near enough experience to deal with unfamiliar roads, conditions being alone in the car, motorways, driving solo in general.

So if I was to do it again I would probably still do the intensive course but then do a pass plus course or lessons afterwards to gain some confidence and futhur roadcraft.

OP there's no such thing as soon, especially if you can't practise outside of lessons. You also need to pass your theory before your practical test. Why dont you start that now? There are apps online that help.

A year, one 2 hour lesson a week

A good instructor makes a world of difference.

I failed 3 times in the same town with the same instructor. I ended up passing in Aberdeen which is notoriously heavy traffic and a lower pass rate than the town I failed before.

The first instructor was forever jumping on the breaks, chastising me when I made a poor decision (as in hesitating at a junction - nothing that would actually count as dangerous), he also always had his hand on that handle above the window. It put me constantly on edge, I was scared to make any decisions at all in case it was wrong!

The second instructor who I passed with was a younger guy, so perhaps more relatable to me? He put me at ease, we chatted on drives about random topics, not just about driving but he still showed me how to improve when I made errors and praised me when I got thigns right. It was like driving with a friend rather than being tested all the time. So much better.

I've since learnt that although the first instructor is still working, he has a reputation in the area for being a bit shit :/

I should have added ive done loads of lessons ive just always given up. Last time I gave up as I was pregnant. wish I stuck with it now.! I started lessons at 17! but havent had any in around 4 years now and im 29.

apologies for spelling errors... prosecco friday!

Passed on my 8th go about a month before my theory would have expired (it lasts two years).

Well you've had a head start. What's stopping you?

12 one hour lessons and a couple of practice sessions with my parents.
I was desperate for independence!!

I met a man yesterday and he has a full driving licence for uk but never took a test, they brought them in later 😅

50 lessons and 3 tests.

Started in the June and passed my test in the November.

I would definitely advise going for automatic..never understood all that gear stick business.

About 2 years on and off at uni then passed about 5 years later doing an intensive course. I'd definitely recommend, do you have the funds for a car to practice in with someone who's had their licence over 3 years? (I think 3 years might be 2, might be 5!) I brought a cheap one and found the extra practice helped loads :) good luck !

Here you're only required to have lessons if you're under 18. If you're under 18, you have to have 10 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours in the road with an instructor. That's what I had, then I passed my road test the first time I took it.

8 lessons. I was a keen cyclist and had been driving on private land for years.

DK where she got this from but DD said something like 40hours of lessons plus 20hours of practice with others is current average- she's moaning that we won't take her out for practice

My OH was a bit like you. Had lessons when he was 17/18, passed his theory but never did his practical and then went off to uni and forgot about it. He passed about 2 weeks ago after doing an intensive week course, 15 years later! If you have the time and money we'd recommend it. Cost about the same as my 2 hour weekly lessons for about 3 months 5 years ago. Good luck!

I had about 20 lessons and it took 2 months. However I had lots and lots of practice with my dad - he took me out every opportunity we had and I had done lots of driving with him before I even started lessons so had a good base knowledge

17 years and 7 tests

Started learning in the June, passed in October, second time

OP I was similar to you. Had lessons and failed test twice at 17 then gave up!!! Came back to it when I was pregnant, at age 29 and passed after 6 months of lessons. I had as many lessons as I could afford. Just one hour a week to start with then ramped it up to two x 1 hour ones for last few months. Cost a lot but gave me confidence.

You can do it OP. I’m so glad I did and now th freedom is amazing. I love driving. Just be VERY determined and don’t give yourelf a hard time if you’re not great at first (I was way too hard on myself, found it very frustrating and basically cried every lesson... although I was pregnant so I will blame it on the hormones!)

Good luck, get those lessons booked!

12 lessons over 5 months and I was taken out for practice by my Dad. We only ended up having a row twice. I passed my test at 17years and 5 months in 1983 In a mini metro. My parents saw learning to drive as an essential life skill and it was assumed I would start lessons as soon as I turned 17. I did the same for my children. DS passed at 17 and 4 months, DD at 17 and 8 months. DS took to it much faster and had 20 lessons, DD needed about 30 as it took a bit longer for her to get the hang of driving. DH took them both out for practice, I did it a few times but I can’t say I enjoyed it.