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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Driving lessons

16 replies

Carol52 · 14/10/2023 16:36

Oh I have been trying for weeks to find drinking instructor. Cannot find one at all fir my son. I cannot believe it. Can anyone help or recommend what to do

OP posts:
Pinkpinkplonk · 14/10/2023 16:38

🤣🤣, probably because he’s under age!!
if you mean driving instructor, it might help if we know what area you’re in

BoohooWoohoo · 14/10/2023 16:38

The ones here have long waiting lists so I booked them 9 months ahead. Practical driving tests are currently a 6 month wait so if he's passed his theory, you might want to book a practical date too.

Can you take him out to drive? Learner insurance isn't as extortionate as newly qualified driver insurance assuming that you have a small car.

SiblingFights · 14/10/2023 16:39

Three month waiting lists here (just outside MK) due to a backlog with tests.

Might be worth posting where you are for suggestions from others.

caringcarer · 14/10/2023 17:36

DC can still start learning highway code for theory the test while you get them on to a waiting list for lessons.

Original poster
Carol52 · 14/10/2023 20:29

Yes thanks for you help we live in York .I have booked his theory but I just cannot believe it. I cannot even get on a waiting list

OP posts:
Original poster
Carol52 · 14/10/2023 20:31

Oh no that’does not look good😀. I should never text without my glasses on.

OP posts:
Lordofmyflies · 14/10/2023 20:33

Driving lessons and tests were badly affected by covid plus lots of instructors left the profession. You need to book your instructor at least 6 months in advance and the practical test as soon as you pass the theory. You may get more luck changing test area.

Tjlz · 14/10/2023 20:46

We often find asking on local Facebook group for recommendations ends up an instructor being found or knowing who has availability

Rosemaritia · 14/10/2023 20:57

There are always waiting lists for driving instructors, well good ones anyway. You just go onto their list and wait to be contacted.

In the meantime he can watch a load of youtube videos. If he has never driven a car before then Conquer Driving is good for talking through use of clutch etc but he needs to understand how a car works. The number of mock driving tests that show students don't understand going up a hill and changing gears too early and then losing power is madness.

The more theory he knows about positioning, choosing the right lanes and meeting situations the better and that is all free on youtube. Clearview, DGN Driving to name a couple who show mock tests and comment on them. They helped my DS whilst he was waiting for an available slot.

assertiveannie · 14/10/2023 21:04

It's worth knowing that there's an app you download that offers cancelled driving test slots so if his test is way in the future, worth keeping an eye on this as and when he's test-ready

Blanketpolicy · 17/10/2023 01:06

https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-lessons

We were on 20+ waiting lists when ds turned 17. Luckiky one came up quite quickly.

I found instructors replied to messager messages but ignored emails so had to find their facebook pages.

The one we got wasn't recommended by anyone, in fact there were a couple of negative comments about him, but ds got on with him fine and passed first time after only 24 lessons.

Find driving schools, lessons and instructors

Find driving instructors near you who are approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-lessons

Original poster
Carol52 · 17/10/2023 06:08

Do you know the name of the app?

OP posts:
HaplessRhombus · 17/10/2023 08:30

I was looking for lessons last December and I only found one (through a driving school) and he was terrible. Most of the instructors had waiting lists of 6-12 months, if they were even taking people on their lists at all.

In the end, I got an instructor after 3 months waiting. But this was with me being a SAHM and being willing to take lessons in the middle of the weekday.

You have to factor in that tests are being booked 6 months in advance now, so each "slot" an instructor has is being used for a minimum six months which also limits their turnover.

Seeline · 17/10/2023 08:50

South London here and most driving schools won't take new students that haven't already passed their theory. Some will only take them on if they already have a booked practical test.
Driving tests slots are put up at 6am on Monday mornings on the government website. Set your alarm.

belfastbelle78 · 19/10/2023 02:50

Recently had the same issue with DD - in all honestly the only thing you can really do is put his name down on waiting lists and check back often in hope that a space comes up. We waited 5 months to finally get DD a space with a good instructor!

If an instructor has a long waiting list (however frustrating that may be) it’s actually a good sign. Initially DD went with the only instructor that could take her on within a reasonably short time frame (1 month) and soon discovered why she didn’t have to wait long… We are had to take legal action due to inappropriate behaviour and the fact that he wasn’t even registered to instruct!!

curaçao · 19/10/2023 06:12

We taught ours ourselves and then a few lessons before the test

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