Tell me all about teens getting driving experience

[DointItForTheKids]

My DD is 17 and I want to start her driving (as does she). However, she's quite tentative and wants to start driving with just me and her, just to get familiar. I've got no problem with that. I do also understand that in no way would I be able to prepare her for the driving test - she will have to have lessons, but she just wants to start off with me.

It's 30+ years ago since I learnt and I'm not familiar with what the up to date process is but understand the child applies for a provisional licence is that right? So that gives them the right to drive but only under supervision?

Then presumably I'd need to get her insured to drive my car - then with the provisional licence and the insurance, is that it, would she then be able to drive under my supervision?

But I'm thinking, where could I take her driving? Initially I just want to do slow manouvering with her to get her used to using the gears and the clutch, reversing, parking into spaces and by kerbs, that sort of thing. In actual fact I don't particularly want to take her out driving on the roads (at least not until she's had a good few formal lessons with a driving instructor first) because I don't think it's sensible to do that straight off the bat and certainly not in a car that doesn't have dual controls (!). So where could I take her - out of town car park at a quiet time of the day say? This is UK so trying to think what would be good places to go.

How many lessons, typically, does a student need (probably that's a how long is a piece of string question but asking anyway!).

Be interested in how other people have approached this.

Hello! I am currently doing this for the second time.

I have to say that there was no way I would have taken either of them out in the car before formal lessons. I told them to ask the instructor when they were ready to go out in the car with me to practice.

DS1 had about 20 lessons and passed first time. He is a very careful and sensible driver. DS2 has a lot of confidence and we just spend the time pootling about driving. I am not getting involved with the technicalities as such.

Yes , she has to apply for a provisional licence which the instructor will want to see.

DS is 17 and passed his test a couple of months ago.

He got his provisional licence.

These days they also have to take a theory test at a centre before they can have any lessons. You can apply on line.

We felt strongly that DS should have a few proper lessons with an instructor before we took him out. I certainly wouldn’t have felt confident teaching him.

My mum used to take me to the supermarket car park to practice very initial driving like moving off, changing gear, finding biting point etc. Probably more difficult these days now supermarkets are open 24hrs but it definitely gave me confidence and a very slight head-start before paying for proper lessons. At that time, rule of thumb was average of 24hrs of proper lessons to be ready for test (obviously varies wildly!).

You don't need to pass your theory before having lessons but you do need to pass it before you can sit your practical test. Insurance for a learner driver is actually a lot cheaper than it is once they've passed. You can also buy packages for so many hours on your insurance I think.
We live quite rurally so I found a long farm track on a Sunday afternoon to practice starting and stopping, then she had a few proper lessons and we started taking her out for extra practice. She took 6 months, passed second time. Lessons and tests cost about a grand.

DD16 has started young driver lessons. They are held in a local park and ride when it is closed on Sundays. A road system is setup including a roundabout and traffic light. Areas are setup to practice skills like reversing and parking.

It's not cheap but I really like the fact that she is learning to drive in a safe environment. When she is old enough to go out on the public highway she will be be proficient at manoeuvring the car and the mechanics of driving and will be to concentrate on learning roadcraft.

https://www.youngdriver.eu

We (well DH) took our DD to a local industrial estate in the evenings. Great for general driving, and reversing around corners and parking.

DH actually ended up teaching DD, but we had sort of accidentally bought a dual control car. She only had 4 proper lessons (in our car) with DH in the back. Around 70-80 hrs driving in total before passing test first time. (Automatic, but DD has dyspraxia).

Quite a lot of info on line on recommended methods for things.

Oh yes, I forgot about the Young Driver sessions, ours through Startin Young. They were held on a local airfield, as Georgia says not cheap but it gets the basics out of the way.

Industrial area on a Sunday morning. Practice turning engine on and off moving around etc.

Driving instructors spend most of their time teaching nervous 17 year olds. Doing it yourself is very difficult and stressful.
My two both had a young drivers off road lesson at 16. Then started with an instructor. After a few lessons when he thought they were ready I took them out. Initially on a deserted industrial estate. I was told to practice less advanced moves than they were doing in lesson. We built up to them driving every time we went out, so lots of practice.

Oh and I recommend a dash cam which is great for reviewing the drive afterwards.

Thanks all that's a great load of info there. Yes I had looked at young driver, we've got a few fairly near us. DD has anxiety so anything I can do to help her feel comfortable to go off and have proper driving lessons I think will help - she's got to have lessons regardless of any preferences to the contrary.

Yes, an industrial area might be good, much more likely to be really not busy at those sorts of times compared to an out of town shopping centre which the ones I can think of, are rammed 24/7 pretty much.

Thanks one and all, appreciate all the comments and info.

Dashcam - really good idea Hizz!

DH used to take me out. Rather than putting me on our insurance as a learner we used to hire a dual control car. There is a brake and a clutch on the passenger side (no accelerator or steering wheel). It used to be about £9/hour and often had buy one get one free deals at Arnold Clark but this is going back a bit!

I have taught my 7 teenagers, my 2 brothers and my ex husband!

Currently on my 7 th teen. We always follow the same program.
I start them off on a private road when they are 16and a half - clutch, braking . Slow manoeuvres
17th birthday they apply for their theory and have their first driving lesson.
At the same time as part of birthday present I insure them with Provisional Marmalade. For a month. £65 for 30 days. It's a stand alone insurance for learners and doesn't affect my no claims.
Once they have had one lesson I am confident to go out in the road with them.
Then it's just a question of practice practice practice interspersed by about 10 lessons.
Theory test takes between 1 and 4 attempts (much harder since March this year )
Then crack on with practical.

This process has worked so far ! BUT I am very patient and not a naturally nervous/anxious person.

If you are - then sitting next to a teen who is learning is not for you. It will make you worse and freak out the learner ...

Thanks both and thanks smalleveryday for setting out your methodology.

I think starting with clutch control slow stuff somewhere v quiet is good - let's be honest, the simple act of being able to hold a car on a hill (the sort where you have to wait on the cusp before you make your turn) is priceless confidence to get before having to deal with driving on the road, and with an instructor.

I might do some of the slow stuff somewhere v quiet, and then do some Young Driver slots with her and maybe do a few proper lessons then and then I'll take her out once she's got the very basics of going along on the road, but it will always be at v quiet times that's for sure.

This has helped me figure out a plan for the way forward so thanks everyone.

DS2 is currently bemoaning that the clutch and gearbox on my car is very different to the one in his instructor's.

I had 10 lessons (2013) and then my mum let me drive to school with her and she drove it back.

You can learn before your theory but have to pass it before your practical

Cheers.

My DDs have had a couple of lessons with Young Driver and I am very impressed by how quickly they've become familiar with the basics of driving the car.

It is expensive but sometimes on Groupon and there is also 10% off with a DofE discount code.

My friend bought his DD extra lessons with the instructor once she passed - one lesson on the motorway and one on parking in a multi-storey.

DS2 has been on the motorway as part of his driving lesson as apparently that's allowed now. Something must have changed.

Thank you all.

I passed my test in April (but I'm 27)

Things have changed from when I tried to learn when I was 17

There's no reverse around the corner
3 point turn etc on the tests anymore.

Only a driving instructor can take a Learner on the motorway.

The average lessons and hours driving to pass are now 45 hours with a instructor plus 20 out in someone's car under supervision.

My nephew started lessons on his birthday this month and tbh I think he'll pass before the average as on his first lesson he managed to drive 6 miles home which is really good. He also is in his element that he will be a better driver than me.

He's using my instructor I had who did tell me the younger they are they faster they pick it up.

If you do take her out in your car remember the L plates I would also get some tape to make sure they don't fly off. We lost so many on 60 roads.

Thanks Skye, I'll probably go for the magnetic ones - so it's an L plate not a P plate??

P plate is for when they pass to show they are a new driver. Not compulsory either sadly.
Not much luck in these parts getting them to have one.