Is it possible to learn to drive?

[ButWhatAbout]

I'm a mum in my early forties who doesn't drive. I really would like to get my license so that I can have more freedom. The problem is that I don't have anyone to practice with!

Is it possible to learn just by taking lessons? Or is that a crazy idea?? I guess I would need a lot of lessons! Or can you pay a stranger to allow you to practice with them? I feel stuck, but I don't have anyone I can ask for help. I should add I've only ever been behind a wheel once, 20 years ago with an ex boyfriend. So I really am starting completely from scratch.

Of course? Lots of people don't have additional practice

I only learnt through paid lessons.

Oh! That's very reassuring! How many lessons did you end up needing?
And do you recommend starting with the theory or getting into lessons right away?

Even if you had someone to take you out, you will still need professional lessons to ensure you're driving to test standard, especially if you're starting from scratch.

My friend did one of those intensive courses and said it was brilliant - driving all day every day for a week.

Yes, I just thought that generally people took a certain amount of lessons to learn all the skills and then practiced those skills with a family member or friend.

But I'm really pleasantly surprised to see that others did it just through lessons!

I only had lessons, I think I had just over 40 hours in all.

You need to have an understanding of driving before even attempting the theory. Your instructor is the best one to advise you of when you're ready for tests and how many lessons they estimate. Make sure its an instructor you feel comfortable with. My first instructor completely intimidated me and I wasn't doing well so I switched and he was great, years later he ended up teaching my nieces and nephews too.

Yes of course, I didn't learn to drive until mid 30's!
My instructor didn't think it was unusual at all I did 2 hours every Saturday and Sunday for 6 weeks then passed. You can do it!

Yes that’s what I did and almost everyone else I know. In fact the few people I know who practiced with family failed on their first attempt. This was many years ago when the wait for a test date was 6 months so I ended up having a lesson a week for 6 months.

I only took paid lessons. In fact, when I was learning to drive (in Germany) it was not allowed to drive with anyone other than a licensed instructor. All my friends also passed by only taking paid lessons.

It was a while ago but yes you can learn to drive just through lessons. I didn't have access to any other car to practice at all when I learnt - just had my driving lessons. I want to say I had about 40 hours (I passed second time with a few lessons between 1st and 2nd as it was more the confidence as opposed to the driving/practical skills that had let me down the first time) in total.

I only had lessons, some when I was 17 (didn't get on with it at all well), then more later.

Of course it's more expensive (though if someone takes you out there's a cost to insure), but it's a very worthwhile investment.

Lessons are the best way and I think the way that most people do it.
We rarely took DD out when she was learning and when we did she said it wasn't helpful as the car was different and also we "didn't know how to drive properly" (aka how to pass your test).
We ended up cancelling the learners insurance on DH's car

How else do you expect others learnt to drive? I learnt purely through lessons. I thought that was the norm!

I learned to drive when I was 17 (45 now) and only had lessons - a couple of two-hour blocks once or twice a week for about four months, I think, so maybe about 25-30 hours?

However, my OH didn't learn until he was in his early 40s. He also only ever went out with an instructor and passed second time (first failure was a few cumulative silly minors), probably after about 50 hours in total.

For me and the people I know, learning with an instructor only is far more usual than practising with another driver (maybe we're all too precious about our cars to allow learners behind the wheel!).

Of course you can. I did, had loads of lessons but got there in the end. Of course if you can practice between lessons you can get there quicker, but it isn’t necessary ( though does work out cheaper). Regarding your age, my auntie passed her driving test at 56!

For me and the people I know, learning with an instructor only is far more usual than practising with another driver (maybe we're all too precious about our cars to allow learners behind the wheel!).

It’s usually only the younger learners that get taken out with their parents. I know that the practice DS had with me meant he had fewer paid lessons.