Driving lessons

[MissAnneElk]

It has been a long time since my driving lessons. How many do you think DD might need? Although we get on quite well, it's safe to assume she would have no practise in between. I don't think I have the temperament for it . Instructors here seem to offer 2 hour lessons as standard.

My lads took about 20 1 hour lessons, I think; they both had motorcycle experience before the car.

My DS is learning to drive and has had about 12 lessons(only hour lessons),realised after he passed his theory test there is a 9 week wait for the practical test so he will probably end up having between 20 and 25 lessons.

Thank you both. That is fewer than I thought it might be. May not be quite as expensive as I thought.

DS has had 20 x 2 hour lessons (also standard here, partly because it takes quite a while to drive to the test route to practice) and has his test booked for about 4 weeks time, will be 48 hours worth of lessons if he passes first time.

We have also been taking hin out in my car to get additional practice in between times.

We pay £225 for a block of 5 x 2 hour lessons.

Can't remember what it was if you just paid week by week - probably £25 an hour. Round here (Gloucestershire) prices generally vary between £20 - £25/hour.

Ahh, that's alright in a city, but if you live in relatively rural area then it's either let them learn to drive or have to ferry them around yourself. We have 2 buses a day here and never when you want them.

The sad thing is that as far as employers go, many regard having a driving licence as better than having a degree!

Riven Tue 21-Sep-10 18:26:54
I was just being nosey. Have 2 teens over 17 but have told them they dont need a car at university and they can pay to learn to drive when they finish and get jobs
I am a mean mummy. (and a skint one)]

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I think you are very sensible, students don't need cars at uni, they end up being a taxi for their friends.

My 20 year old starts back today and lives nearer to his uni and nearer to Leicester so he can walk/use a bus. He can do driving lessons when he is 21, we just cannot afford £2-3,000 insurance and have no room for extra car at home.

Just to chip in, although the wait between passing your theory and getting a slot for the practical tests seems like ages, you can keep refreshing the web page about a thousand times and if you're lucky, you'll get an earlier cancellation...

Much, much, much quicker here between theory & practical test (East Anglia) can usually get a test within a week. DS1 had about 20 2 hour driving lessons, essential here as it takes half to three quarters of an hour to get to nearest test centre cities. Cost £48 for a 2 hour lesson. Students in Cambridge not allowed to drive to college, but would be useful for him to drive home & back as train fare costs £18.50

What's the best way to get affordable insurance for a 17 year old learner driver?

I'm twenty three and it wasn't too much to put me on my mums ford ka for the year as a learner...about five hundred. I've now got a mini and 3 years no claims and pay that.

When your teens pass and get their own insurance, make sure they are down as policyholder and main user if their car (as is fraud if not) but put you, dh, any other adults with clean licenses on there as extra derivers. It will drop the premium, and isn't doing anything wrong. I work in car insurance so hope that helps someone. My insurance is sixty quid cheaper for having mum and dad on-better in my pocket!

Thanks, custard! Is really good tip. Which cars are cheapest to insure for boy racers (DS1 now 18)?

I run a motoring association for women so know a bit about the subject from sharing feedback with many Mums. The sad fact is that 'boy racers' in this context are well named and too many are involved in serious accidents hence their horrific early premiums (compared to girls).

I'd always recommend they (all) do a PassPlus training course after they pass - costs more but many of the leading insurers will give a discount afterwards - because it works.

If it has to be an older car remember it won't be as safe or reliable as a newer one and don't buy a car with (or let them add) modifications. I'd ask Adrian Flux (insurer) to quote for insurance. NB:I get absolutely nothing for this mention; you might find AF is a cheaper deal than the comparison websites because they are specialists.

Otherwise choose a small car, small engine, low insurance group (1 = lowest), good NCap safety ratings and good mpg. Citroen C1s are good value, Renault's Clio, Ford Ka, Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10 or a wee Suzuki; that sort of size. Add Mum or Dad's name as other drivers, agree and maintain low annual mileage and look for those insurers who might allow you to gain a No Claims Bonus in 6 months rather than 12.

Told mine that although it's a good idea to get your licence, it's not necessary to have a car until uni is over and fully employed.

Gawd I'm dreading this. Will struggle to help pay for lessons and I know all her friends are so keen to drive. Most booking their first lessons on their 17th birthday.

You don't have to help pay for lessons, making them pay for their own might encourage them to pay more attention and be sharper.... I had to pay for my own lessons and so dud many of us... I don't know why so many people expect the parents to pay as a norm...