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Original poster

How long did it take you to learn to drive ???

74 replies

nutcracker · 18/03/2004 16:06

Can it be done in a year, only having one lesson a week ???

I really need to learn to drive before going to uni in sept/oct 2005.

I have no driving experience at all so would be starting from scratch, gears and everything.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 18/03/2004 16:08

It took me 17 years

Sorry, not what you wanted to hear - actually if you get a good instructor (and that'll cost) I'm sure you can do it. I had four hopeless instructors (and not for the 17 solid years!) before getting a great BSM bloke who got me through.

spacemonkey · 18/03/2004 16:08

I would've thought it would be perfectly possible to do it in a year nutty. Although it does depend ... as long as you're not like that Maureen out of Driving School!!!

Do you know anyone who will let you practice in their car in between lessons?

spacemonkey · 18/03/2004 16:10

I think it took me about 18 months from beginner to passing my test (the 2nd time). But that was a very long time ago now, I might take longer if I was learning now, being an old biddy

ks · 18/03/2004 16:11

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Tinker · 18/03/2004 16:11

Absloutely. I did like that, took about 4 months? One lesson per week. Failed first test (speeding )

lavender1 · 18/03/2004 16:15

It took me 3 times to pass (and actually went through all examiners...tested by them that is)..about 18 months..reversed on kerb and went through a red light!!!..my sister passed first time..it really depends on how quick your reactions on in a road situation...am sure a year of driving every week would stand you in good stead

beansprout · 18/03/2004 16:19

Took me 6 months but wouldn't recommend one lesson a week. It's so alien at first that it takes half the lesson to get used to being back in the car again, so I made a lot more progress with more regular lessons. Practice is the key, if you can find someone to help you. I went with BSM and they were great.

These days the theory test has to be done too before you can enter the practical, so good to get that under your belt asap. Good luck.

marialuisa · 18/03/2004 16:19

I've got my second test soon and have been learning for a year. Unfortuantely I don't want to drive, been bullied into it by DH (who is dangerous behind the wheel) and have had my confidence severely knocked by him making me drive our car. My first instructor was "independent" and a complete a**E but now have fab instructor from the AA, definitely worth the extra money. You might find learning easier as you'll be more motivated IYSWIM.

marialuisa · 18/03/2004 16:21

oh, instructor keeps telling me that the average learner now has 55-60 hours of lessons before they pass. i'm surei'm pushing the average up!

slug · 18/03/2004 16:43

Ye gods!!! It took me 5 lessons and a couple of hours practise.

Mind you that was in NZ where how to drive through a herd of cows is part of the test

I have a suspicion that the whole driving lesson thing here is a complete scam. I see new drivers every day and they're dangerous and scary. Ask yourself why it is that it takes on average 3 goes to pass a driving test. If that were a GCSE, the daily Mail would be up in arms about bad teaching. I would be very wary of a driving school that insisted you needed 50 hours to learn. Just think, you are paying them for that. The longer it takes you the more lucrative it is for them.

Driving is mainly a physical skill, it's to do with coordination of hands and legs combined with a road awareness. The actual amount of lessons needed to learn the skill is reasonably small, it's the practise time that will make a difference. If you can practise driving around quiet streets with a qualified driver at your side, you could save heaps of money and speed up the process.

donnie · 18/03/2004 16:45

I recommend practice in between lessons as well nutracker. I was the world's worst learner - I actually believed , and I do not lie, that traffic lights were the other way round for cars, so red was go etc, I was so thick.But even I passed 3rd time. I had so many lessons though and got through 4 instructors. The last one was with the AA and was fab! it really is about confidence ( and a basic understanding of traffic lights...)good luck. If I can do it, anyone can!

bundle · 18/03/2004 16:48

I learned with an Irish woman, in her 50s and we'd gossip all the time. It's really stood me in good stead for dealing with situations like screaming children when you're trying to do a dodgy illegal 3 point turn or just avoid hideous other drivers (usually men) in London. my ex boyfriend was really good too, he used to take me on late night reversing round corner sessions. ooer.

Original poster
nutcracker · 18/03/2004 17:33

Well you've made up my mind about who to have the lessons with, BSM it is.

I really can only afford 1 lesson a week, but dp has said he would take me out too.

I really donot want to do it but i have 3 kids and a car that sits at home all day as dp has a van for work. Plus if i want to do my nursing course i need to be able to drive.

I have set foot behind the wheel once. DD1 had a fit of giggles and DD2 screamed her head off. I stalled the car without even moving and got out and stomped off

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 18/03/2004 17:34

Meant to say, that was in a graveyard, dread to think what i'd be like on the road.

OP posts:
ks · 18/03/2004 17:41

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Frenchgirl · 18/03/2004 17:44

in france you only have to learn to drive as fast as you can on any road, honk your horn as often as possible and shout at other drivers.
parking on the pavement and yellow lines is compulsory.
Piece of cake.
It took me about 20 lessons when I was 18, passed the first time.
Anything's possible, so good luck!

alibubbles · 18/03/2004 17:49

My 17yr old DD did it in 4 weeks last year, about 10 lessons, so we made her do the pass plus too, and driving every day to school and back gave her extra practise. Her friend did it in a year, one lesson a week, as she did not have access to a car in between times. Most of the girls in her class have passed in less than 4 months, having 2 lessons a week.

Why not do one of those one week intensive course, my nephew did that at Christmas. They cost about £400 including your test and theory.

DD found 1.5 hours the best, 2 hours is too tiring and 1 hour not long enough. Make sure the instructor does not get you to drive to their next pick up, and then that pupil drives you to your destination, crafty way of cramming in lesons and no time for proper debriefs. DD was always picked up and dropped back at home with no rush and the instructor talked to me as well, telling me what to practice wth her o to look out for.

Good luck!

whymummy · 18/03/2004 17:55

lol frenchgirl same in spain only zebra crossing are just to decorate the roads
i'm on my forth lesson and today i drove on a main road,i nearly poo myself everytime a car comes in the opposite direction but is getting easier
good luck nutcracker

spacemonkey · 18/03/2004 18:01

I can't imagine what life would be like if I couldn't drive. It gives you so much freedom, I'd hate not to be able to drive!

Frenchgirl · 18/03/2004 18:34

hey whymummy, I thought you'd come on this thread at some point! I did wonder what those pretty white stripes were for....
Enjoy your lessons chica! I love driving.

Original poster
nutcracker · 18/03/2004 18:37

I did look at AA lessons but they were a bit too expensive. I've been on the BSM site and an hours lesson is 20ish.
I would like to do an intensive course but can't afford too . BSM 35 hour course is over 500.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 18/03/2004 18:47

I know I'm a bit late into the conversation, but I can really recommend BSM. I did a refresher course with them (I hadn't driven for about 5 years and was a very nervous driver, although had my full license) - and they were fantastic.

Tailored the lessons exactly to my needs, told me a few "tricks" that weren't standard "how to pass my test" stuff, showed me how to parallel park for the first time in my life (despite me technically "learning" it for my test way back when I was 18!!) I really felt like I was getting value for money.

Really wish I'd had BSM when I was learning for my test - I might have been a more confident driver from the start.

GeorginaA · 18/03/2004 18:52

Oh incidentally, the one thing the BSM guy really impressed me by was I queried whether I needed some more lessons, and he reassured me that he thought I was competent and didn't really need any more. Just told me to make sure I continued to drive and get lots of regular "practise" this time around

I didn't get the impression that they were trying to drag as many lessons out of you as possible to earn as much as they could out of you.

WSM · 18/03/2004 18:58

I drive with a fantastic local instructor and have been with him for a few months, I have my test VERY soon....

I have passed my test before and had my licence revoked for speeding offences, I have had to start from scratch as requested by the courts The first time around I had 3 hours a week and it took me around 6 months. I would say that it can be done in a year but it would REALLY help you to have driving practise inbetween lessons.

2under2 · 18/03/2004 19:13

did it about a month - with lessons nearly every day though and 6 (yes, six!!) tests before I passed. I get terrible exam nerves - and several times had to abandon the test because I couldn't stop my legs from shaking violently. My GP prescribed beta blockers and I ended up in hospital with an asthma attack... but at least eventually passed.