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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Young person driving lesson

11 replies

annie987 · 29/10/2019 20:54

Has anyone bought one of these for their child. Was it good? Think my 12 year old would enjoy this? Any recommendations for company to use? There seem to be loads out there. Thanks

OP posts:

Straysocks · 29/10/2019 21:03

My ds did this aged 12, sorry I can't remember the name of the companybut it was a discount from Groupon and it was was fab. We got the hour recorded on disc. It was great customer service and excellent tuition. Some people do lots of lessons so can drive the car - simply need to get road wise when 17. Heartily recommend.

RoseyPeas · 29/10/2019 21:17

My son did this a couple of times with Young Driver and loved it.
If you can wait til black Friday, they usually have 25% off.

Leeds2 · 29/10/2019 21:20

My DD did two driving experiences at Mercedes World; one was off road, and the other in an ordinary car driving around their "village," complete with mini roundabouts, junctions etc.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 29/10/2019 21:25

DS did one for his 14th birthday and absolutely loved it!

He was beaming for the rest of the day especially as the instructor told him that he was a natural.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/10/2019 21:29

DS(14) has done a few lessons now. Really enjoys it, vouchers are great for birthday and Christmas presents too.

I was amazed how many cars were on the circuit at the same time as him, but the instructors were really good (and patient).

The company we use is Young Driver and they use various locations across the UK.

Holidayaddict · 29/10/2019 22:27

Another vote for Young Driver. DS is about to do his second one and is likely to do a few more before he turns 17 and can have lessons on the road. Also done Mercedes-Benz World which was a good day out as there's a museum there too.

TreePeepingWatcher · 29/10/2019 22:37

Yes Young Driver but in a normal driving instructor car because that is what he will eventually learn to drive in.

He has had several of them for birthdays and we do the 60 minute ones, we have been to one where they get to bomb it at 60 mph (I hyperventilated watching him zoom by) and others where it is far more skills based so a roundabout, turning left and right at junctions and parking. Plus a bit of a hill start.

They get a booklet that they fill in the more lessons they have. Our feeling was that it is a safe experience driving on a car park rather than on the road with the general public. Build up his skills and confidence before he turns 17 and has on the road lessons.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/10/2019 23:31

I wish this sort of thing had been around when I was young, it would certainly have helped me I am sure.

When DS had his first lesson we paid extra for the in-car video, and you can see him looking down at the gear stick or pedals whenever he had to change gear etc. He will have got all of that out of his system by the time he is old enough to be let loose on the road.

PhilCornwall1 · 30/10/2019 05:18

We got a 2 hour one for my eldest and he loved it and did really well. He's now having driving lessons as he's gone 17.

My youngest who is coming up 13 has said about them and reading this has jogged my memory to speak to my wife again about sorting it out.

Any experience behind the wheel is never wasted. I would say that though, as I'm a driving geek and did the advanced driving course and used to tutor for it too. I love driving (saddo that I am).

NotTheMrMenAgain · 30/10/2019 08:23

Young Driver (again) - DD started lessons last year at 10 and loves them, she's a bit of a petrol head! The vouchers do make good gifts and they get a little progress book to tick off their achievements as they go along. Once they've had a number of regular lessons there are more advanced sessions they could try. DD now handles a manual gearbox better than I could after 25 years of driving automatics! The kids at the sessions usually look thrilled by the whole the whole thing or terrified beforehand and beaming afterwards.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/10/2019 08:39

YD too (Lakeside and once at Bluewater) they take over a car park and there was a seating area for parents / watchers .

There were maybe 8-9 cars on the circuit but the car parks are big .

Gives them the opportunity to just think about the car and listen to the instructor without too much worry about whats going on round them ( they do keep the cars at safe distances)

Mine both had lessons , only 30 mins because I think it was long enough to concentrate .Others might want to 60 minutes so you don't have to stop when you're just getting into it .

And the Instructors were all brilliant , obviously very brave driving with young teens
The cars were good , all new ( And new cars are more forgiving than a creaky old 10 yo VW Polo)

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