What sort of prices am I looking at when learning to drive?

[Ozwin]

Figure I might as well start now, I don't really have anything to save for and it might help with work as I'll be able to work all over Leicester if anyone needs me which'd be a bonus.

But yeah, how does it work, do you pay by the lesson or in bulk or what?

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I paid £22 for an hour, £40 for two hours.

Buy in bulk and generally save more, all varies really.

[ScouseFox]

Depends what you want.

No idea if every driver instructor/company is the same but when I learnt there was an amount per lesson, £20 (I think) or you could get 10 hour long lessons for £175. So I just did 2x 10 hours and that was that.

Usually it's between about £18-25 an hour and if you commit to X number they'll give you a better deal.

It costs about £100 to actually do the fúcking test though. It's an expensive process but that's because people will pay it. And because it's dangerous/insurance and shit.

So pass first time after minimum amount of lessons (like all the cool kids) and save yourself some dollar. I've got some mates who must be close to £1k in terms of lessons, failed theories and failed tests.

Edit - to add I'm in Liverpool (duh) and everything is cheaper up north.

[Ross-Kemp]

Figure I might as well start now, I don't really have anything to save for and it might help with work as I'll be able to work all over Leicester if anyone needs me which'd be a bonus.

But yeah, how does it work, do you pay by the lesson or in bulk or what?

I'd always go with someone recommended to you by a friend, I got my first instructor out the yellow pages, turns out he was a gay peadophile.

Anyway, big companies normally do offers such as 10 lessons for x amount, but if you have to cancel etc you'll lose out.

The instructor I passed with charged me £27 a time, this was for an hour and a half lesson though.

Hope this helps.

[Jimothy]

I passed about 3-4 years and it was £20 a lesson, and I paid by the lesson. Saying that some might let you pay by bulk if you'd prefer it that way, I'm not sure. Test was about £75 I think.

It's probably gone up since than but hope it gives you a good idea.

If you want the name of the guy who got me through to a pass just ask. If he can teach me he can teach anyone

[dave the caveman]

It has been a while, but I would guess at something like £18 - £20 per lesson, of which you will need at least 25 and maybe double that, plus the costs of the test/s.

And if you think that is expensive, wait til you actually start driving. Jesus christ. Learn if you want, but you might better advised to save your money.

[Ozwin]

£100 for the test, **** me.

What happens if your instructor reckons you're ready after like 15 lessons (dunno how likely that is but go with it) but you've paid for 10 in bulk, do you get the rest back?

[ScouseFox]

£100 for the test, **** me.

What happens if your instructor reckons you're ready after like 15 lessons (dunno how likely that is but go with it) but you've paid for 10 in bulk, do you get the rest back?

The general practice is you have a lesson for an hour pre-test to get you in the groove, and have to pay for the hour of the car you use for the test, so that's about 40 of the 100 quid. So that's 2 lessons basically.

I'd assume if you've paid for 20 you'd be advised to use the 20 to get everything perfect, no point rushing into the test after 17 lessons or whatever to get a bit of money back only to fail and it cost more.

[Ozwin]

Yeah fair enough.

I'm told doing 2 hour lessons is a lot more helpful in the long run, so I'll probably do that every week.

Now to find me an instructor!

[ScouseFox]

Yeah I did a few double lessons and it's just better for getting stuff done etc considering the first and last 5/10 minutes will just be driving between your house and the area of road you want for that lesson sort of thing.

I'd suggest my instructor because he was sound and passed me no worries but it's a bit of a trek.

[Ozwin]

I'm in Eyres Monsell so if anyone knows anyone round here then let me know.

[Libertine Dream]

50 quid for the provisional

30 for your theory

70 for test

Just over 20 per 1hr lesson more than likely

Then having done all that you get the pleasure of buying a car and being ripped off on petrol and insurance whilst paying road tax which only a fraction is used to improve transport.

[Raw Dykes]

If you've got a kind mate or a family member who drives, I'd recommend getting them to teach you the basics first if that's possible. I used to go to the County Council car park on Sundays when it was completely empty with my dad before I took any lessons. I think you'll save a lot of money if you already know how to control the car before you start paying for lessons.

[Ozwin]

Yeah but I'm going to have to do it eventually and the price of learning is only going to go up!

Might as-well join you all on the other side.

[bmt]

Where exactly do you live? I had a quality instructor when I learnt a few years back.

EDIT: sorry you already said, bit out the way from me so can't help sorry. I'd use a private one though not a rip off big company.

[Saxondale]

Keep an eye out on Groupon and Living Social and all that shit, they periodically have offers on with local and national driving schools.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Just do what i did, 3 quick 45 minute lessons. Sit the test, just past then almost crash my car after having my licence 48 hours

8 years on and still not had an accident but wasn't the best driver for the first 12 months.

[Guesty]

I'd start saving everything now; not only for learning but your first insurance quote.

[Captain...]

Not sure whether it is possible for you, but if you have the time it may be worth looking at an intensive course, I would imagine it would work out cheaper and not having a week between lessons means you will get up to speed quicker, it used to come as a package where you paid out for the classes the theory and the test in one lump at the start, so it may be a large amount, but could save you money in the long run if you pass first time, Leicester test centre, on gypsy lane, used to be a bit of a pig, if I remember you came out and straight on to a nasty round-a-bout/junction, pretty much the first thing you come across on your test, anyone know if it has improved? If not, avoid taking your test there if possible.

[AyewJoking]

My wife is learning to drive

I dont know if Bill Plant operates in your particular region but they give you 5 lessons for £56. £21 per lesson after that though. However there is no obligation to stay with them.

Red only charge £18 per hour.

If you need to drive due to work commitments then I would suggest learning to drive automatic, much easier and will save you time and money.

[Rincewind]

I've had a provisional for over 20 years. Bit tattered and I can't find it at the moment. Thought about renewing just for ID purposes but it costs £20. Gave up because I was not very good with co-ordination. Well to be more precise the instructor advised it and never really had the confidence to try again. I did have lessons in an automatic (mini I think) but they put me back in a manual. The instructor had to keep grabbing the steering wheel. Not good when going round roundabouts.

Would be handy to drive but I don't like the state of the roads now plus there is the cost of mainlining it insurance tax etc. If I could afford a crash course (no pun intended) and was working I might consider it just to say I have done it. I would go for automatic so I could concentrate on steering. Can't remember but I'm sure I got on better.

My instructor changed and my original one was talking about my test so maybe I had a bad day when I packed in.

Like others have said it may be best to get a friend or family member to give you a few lessons to get the basics of starting moving off and parking. Then just the odd run out while taking lessons.

[Ozwin]

Get back into the swing of it Nightguard. Don't be so negative haha, you sound like me!

Anyone got any driving tips before I start, I'm a bit nervous but it needs to be done.

[Raw Dykes]

Get back into the swing of it Nightguard. Don't be so negative haha, you sound like me!

Anyone got any driving tips before I start, I'm a bit nervous but it needs to be done.

The police have said that they allow an extra 10% on top of speed limits, to account for inaccurate speedometers, and that they won't bother pulling anyone over doing 80mph on the motorway.

Apparently, it's legal to pick up roadkill to take home and eat, unless your car was the murder weapon, so get a friend to drive ahead of you, running over all the animals he can, so that you can pick up the legitimate free meat. Not sure if the rule is the same for old women.

On a more serious note, if you've never driven in your life, get a friend or family member to take you to an empty space, like the county hall car park on a sunday, so they can teach you the really basic stuff like pulling away and changing gear. It shouldn't take you too long to learn how to control the car.

[Rincewind]

Not sure if I'd want to drive on today's roads. A possibility is just a run about electric one (if they are available)Long distances I'd still use a train or coach. Don't fancy motorways or long journeys where tiredness may occur. I'll see what happens in my job if I get it. Had to budget while being out of work so may be able to save more.

[Soar Fox]

I'm in Eyres Monsell so if anyone knows anyone round here then let me know.

I live in Glen Parva near the park. There's a bloke who me,my sister and neighbours used who lives round here.

I've forgot his name but he advertises as AIM HIGH