Topic: Learning to drive.

[SUPERTOON]

Just about to have my first lesson and pretty nervous. Never driven a car at all before and really haven't got a clue. Anyone else been like this? How long did it take you all to learn to drive and pass your test? Anyone who was really terrible and still got through it?

[Joey]

I don't drive but I did start learning, the hardest thing isn't the driving, it's watching everybody else.

Ps. Does anybody know of any good instructors who use larger cars? i've got relatively tall upper body and always find it a pain when ive got to tilt my head to the side when i'm in a car.

[Dave]

A week.

[Neil]

Took me about 30 hours worth of lessons.

Just take it a step at a time tbh. The first few lessons may feel a bit odd, but soon enough things will start to click, and it'll become a bit more natural. Don't worry if you don't get the hang of things straight away, it will come with time  

[SUPERTOON]

A week.

Intensive course?

[Mowen]

Staggeringly easy, I did it faster than Dave with just 6 hours lessons. Easiest thing I've ever done tbh, you'll be fine. I'd be appalled if you're not.

[Ian W]

I had about 30 hours as well, although I didn't have access to a car to practice in between.

For me the physical control of the car was the biggest thing, once that was under control the rules of the road etc were pretty easy. If I could have spent time in a car away from lessons I'm sure I could have passed much faster.

My instructor broke down on my first lesson and we had to call the RAC out! Amateur.

[Neil]

I had about 30 hours as well, although I didn't have access to a car to practice in between.

For me the physical control of the car was the biggest thing, once that was under control the rules of the road etc were pretty easy. If I could have spent time in a car away from lessons I'm sure I could have passed much faster.

My instructor broke down on my first lesson and we had to call the RAC out! Amateur.

Same. Never really took advantage of that fact, should have used the car much more in-between lessons. Would have saved some money I'd wager.

Still, was glad in a way it took me a while, so I knew exactly what was going on.

[Neil]

More importantly, who passed first time?

 

 

[Dave]

A week.

Intensive course?

Aye. First ever drive Monday morning, passed the following Saturday morning. 10 hours I think in total.

I had a slight advantage in that I'd had a 50cc bike for a couple of years before it so wasn't totally alien to the road, but I'm still really proud of it. As Ian says, learning to actually control the car (whilst trying to take in everything else at the same time) was the toughest part.

[ikri]

Did about 45 hours before sitting my test, could have gone for the test earlier but I'd have probably failed.

If you can practice in anyone else's car it really helps.

[Northerngimp]

Just had my first two.  Wish i had done it a bit earlier tbh but i did have a good excuse for a while.

[Dave]

My instructor broke down on my first lesson and we had to call the RAC out! Amateur.

I'd have called 999 tbh.

[SUPERTOON]

Just had my first two.  Wish i had done it a bit earlier tbh but i did have a good excuse for a while.

You any good? Straight on the main roads?

[LocalHero]

Had 30-odd lessons, got my test soon.  I still get nervous though, even though I'm a good driver now.

[cp40]

In my test,( 20 years ago) i stalled, went in the wrong lane at traffic lights, tried to pull away in neutral, skidded on emergency stop, didnt do 3 point turn, or reverse round corner, or hill start.,..

passed,...examiners first day,..

[khay]

3rd time lucky with me. First time I had no confidence. 2nd time was like 5 years later and he made me do a parallel park on a narrow street and then a bus came so I got nervous and the rear wheel slowly made its way up onto the pavement.

Third time one minor fault for a gear change.

[Jill]

This was gonna be first on my list as soon as I was old enough.... I'm now 23 and have still had one lesson ever.  

Don't need to be able to drive though, so for now I'm not going to bother.

[Ronaldo]

passed first time, had 1 lesson a week for 2 months

[Mowen]

Not saying anyone on here has but everyone lies about how many lessons they took. Particularly when you're at school.

I use 21 hours including the test, did a fair bit of practice with my old man in between lessons. Learning the road was the tough part for me, after about 5 hours the controls etc. barely needed thinking about.

Goes without saying I passed first time

[Rob W]

take it easy, small movemnts of the wheel, just put your foot on the brake  don't stand on it................. look as far ahead as you can

[Adam^]

Have fun, dont get stressed, there are always worse drivers than you.

[lovejoy]

ten lessons, passed first time.

[pedro111]

The best piece of advice my instructer told me (A wise old man) that I am now about to give you, is this.......

When you are at a roundabout, if you are unsure of where another car is going to go for example if they are not indicating..........WATCH THEIR FRONT WHEELS.............The wheels never lie.

Remember this, it is superb advice and will make your life a hell of a lot easier at a massive busy roundabout. If your instructer doesnt mention this to you, sack him.

[Ste]

More importantly, who passed first time?

 

 

Me, 2 minors.