Learning to drive..

[BananaSlug]

I would love to learn to drive but I’m shocked lessons are now £40 an hour. When I was learning years ago they were only £20 an hour. Im not sure if I can even afford to learn to drive when it will be £80 a week/ 2 hour lessons. Getting on buses with children though is a nightmare especially where I live (although it’s London so public transport is good) the buses are always so busy. I don’t get maintenance so money is tight anyway. Just don’t think I can afford to take lessons. Any other single mums that don’t drive?

If you can’t afford lessons, you need to decide if you could afford a car and it’s up keep. No point having lessons if you can’t.

If you can afford a car and upkeep (fuel/insurance etc) I would try and do it. How about learning on an automatic - its so much easier so you may pass quicker. If you decide not to then treat yourself to a cab occasionally, which will still be cheaper than running a car. I personally prefer travelling on public transport with kids as they enjoy it more (I didn't drive when my children were small). Kids don't like looking at the back of your head in a car!

Unfortunately the chances are if you can't afford lessons you can't afford a car. Insurance is expensive as a new driver and has increased massively since Covid.

I passed at 30 when DD was 8, had a full year s worth of 1.5 hour lessons a week plus more when I could fit them in. as I was going to drive with DD in the car soon after passing (opposed to hose that have a decades worth + of experience before driving with their children) I wanted to experience all weather types etc. It was expensive but running a car far more so.

The biggest benefit really has been that DD has bee able to take part in sport tha requires me to drive around the county, most other things I use the car for I could still walk/use public transport.

Well the instructors wouldn't make any money on £20 an hour.

Realistically can you afford to buy, run and maintain a car? On top of the obvious we have to pay £270 pa for a permit to park on our own street.

Instructors have to maintain the car in tip-top condition, pay for petrol and pay very high insurance premiums. If the car is damaged or a headlight goes, they can’t work. They also had to pay for their training. They aren’t earning money in between lessons when they are driving to pick up the next student. I’m afraid if £40 per lesson is too much then you will find running a car is beyond your budget.

Although I fully understand why it's so expensive it doesn't take away from the fact that it makes learning to drive tricky for many people.

Thank you yes I understand why it’s expensive but as I said it was half the price when I was learning around 8/9 years ago. Just wish I had passed then! So £80 instead of £40 a week. Only one of my children like buses the rest are always asking for me to get a car as carrying shopping home on the bus and traveling to far places is difficult on and off buses in the cold and rain.