Learning to drive.

[fox123]

I passed my test 17 years ago now, but my missus wants to drive. I'm imagining that the lessons/test is totally different to what it was back then and insuring a car is pretty much through the roof, especially for youngsters wanting to take to the roads.

 

So, what actually is required to pass the test these days? 

 

How much, on average, is the insurance cost of someone passing their test? I guess I'm fortunate enough to have 16 years no claims and my insurance is only £180 a year.

 

How many of you have passed first time?

 

Oh and just to mention those who are currently taking their lessons/tests - good luck 

 

 

[ScouseFox]

i passed 2 and a half years ago but haven't driven since because of the price of insurance. in those two years i have apparently become a better driver so my insurance has dropped to a level that i am willing to pay so will hopefully be on the road by my 20th birthday at the end of the month woo hoo. 

 

i did 22 lessons (i think). 2 or 3 of those were because i failed my theory first time though so had to wait to do it again before i could do my practical, so if you're decent at learning things you could do it in 20 lessons easy. 

 

you usually do the theory before you finish your lessons, then once that's done (most pass first time) you can do a few practice tests in lessons and then book the real thing. 

 

i passed my practical first time 

 

dunno if any of that helps . 

[Unabomber]

Failed one for going round a roundabout the wrong way, failed another for not driving in a bus lane. Passed third time though so easy, insurance was around £600.

[StanSP]

Failed one for going round a roundabout the wrong way, failed another for not driving in a bus lane. Passed third time though so easy, insurance was around £600.

 

I read that in a way that you've said it with so much conviction, it's almost like you meant for it to happen...

[Itsthejoeker]

Failed my first for driving in second in a residential area (bullshit), failed my second for committing to a turn whilst someone sped round a blind corner (bullshit).

 

Passed third time, insurance is about £900

[Unabomber]

I read that in a way that you've said it with so much conviction, it's almost like you meant for it to happen...

It was only a mini roundabout so I thought it would be quicker.

[stevelcfc]

Passed in Feb 1st time, elated. Got a little car now, 1L insurance is ridiculous though.

[Adster]

The theory test is a piece of piss. Don't know how anyone can fail it. With decent preparation and common sense it's an absolute walkthrough.

 

As for the practical, I had around 45 lessons and I passed first time. The trouble is with teenagers these days is that they see their mates driving and they rush their lessons and end up failing. The key to passing comfortably is only taking your test when YOU feel your ready. There's really no rush. 

 

I passed when I was 18 but as many others I haven't been able to afford the insurance. Hoping to get a car plus insurance around my 20th birthday too or towards the end of finishing Uni. 

[Soar Fox]

Passed 9 years ago when I was 17 at the 2nd attempt. Started on my birthday in January passed in May. Failed because I positioned myself in the left hand lane on a one way street when turning right.

First car was a Peugeot 106 quicksilver, insurance was just under a £1000 3rd party fire & theft but that was with pass plus. I'm now paying around £400 a year fully comprehensive with full no claims and no points.

I'm not sure how much things cost now regarding first timer insurance, driving lessons etc. But apparently they've changed the theory side of the test. Maybe ScouseFox can confirm this. I did the 35 multiple questions and then the 50 hazard & perception.

[StanSP]

It was only a mini roundabout so I thought it would be quicker.

lol

 

Failed first time for slightly catching the kerb after coming out of a junction from a hill-start (I hated hill-starts). I knew I'd failed at that point and back at the test centre after being told I'd failed, she says her back is hurting after the incident. I actually laughed in her face a little out of sheer disbelief. 

 

Failed second time after having the same examiner as above . Apparently I didn't give way properly. Bullshit. 

 

Passed third. Insurance is just over £500 I think.

[StanSP]

The theory test is a piece of piss. Don't know how anyone can fail it. With decent preparation and common sense it's an absolute walkthrough.

 

As for the practical, I had around 45 lessons and I passed first time. The trouble is with teenagers these days is that they see their mates driving and they rush their lessons and end up failing. The key to passing comfortably is only taking your test when YOU feel your ready. There's really no rush. 

 

I passed when I was 18 but as many others I haven't been able to afford the insurance. Hoping to get a car plus insurance around my 20th birthday too or towards the end of finishing Uni. 

 

This. But I don't even think 'decent' preparation would be needed. Just a ton-load of common sense. I did a couple of practice tests and about 30mins reading of the Highway Code the night before. It really is easy. 

[ScouseFox]

i did my theory test the morning after i got back from leeds festival. that is my excuse. 

 

it still hurts my feelings when people say only a retard would fail it though. 

[Adster]

This. But I don't even think 'decent' preparation would be needed. Just a ton-load of common sense. I did a couple of practice tests and about 30mins reading of the Highway Code the night before. It really is easy. 

 

True. I only did half an hour a day on some app a week before the test. I only say decent because I know one person who failed the theory test SIX (yes, six) times before finally scraping through it by one mark. 

[Aleksz]

i did my theory test the morning after i got back from leeds festival. that is my excuse. 

 

it still hurts my feelings when people say only a retard would fail it though.

My mates taking his sixth attempt next week.

[Soar Fox]

This. But I don't even think 'decent' preparation would be needed. Just a ton-load of common sense. I did a couple of practice tests and about 30mins reading of the Highway Code the night before. It really is easy.

It's not all about common sense though, yeah some of them are pretty simple. But I remember getting 2 questions about stopping distances in different weather conditions at different speeds. I'd hardly say that's common sense.

Also another one.

Before entering a tunnel it's good advice to.

Change your radio frequencey.

That seemed a strange one to me.

[ScouseFox]

the questions i got wrong when i failed were about what you'd do if you saw an accident/smashed up car on a motorway or something stupid like that. just carry on driving is what i and the whole motorway do every time i see that. not the answer though i don't think. 

[Unabomber]

My mates taking his sixth attempt next week.

[maynefox]

I passed last September first time.
I had quite a lot of lessons, more than the average I suspect, took about near 40. This was because I took forever with the theory test I really couldn't be bothered to do it! It took me around 9 months from my first lesson to do my theory (first time) then another 2 months for the test.
It's expensive. Not going to lie. So be very prepared.
 

I guess the one tip I would have is once you've started don't stop.
On one of my first lessons I stalled whilst setting off in crawling traffic and someone went into the back of me. Literally didn't want to drive again and I put that off for a few weeks until I was mentally prepared to go again; so just keep going at it no matter what really!

[Samilktray]

Currently doing my lessons and its expensive is all I have to say.

[Guest Kopfkino]

I'm currently learning to drive and booked my test last week. I've had 12 lessons now and find it relatively simple, it just took me a couple of lessons to get to grips with everything. The theory is a piece of piss really, all you have to do on half of the hazard perception is notice two women walking along the path together and talking because they inevitably step out into the road without looking.

[Hollism]

With Hazard Perception, the majority of them are pedestrians doing something without looking, so try and spot all of them before the hazard comes up. Them there will be others like a fire engine with lights on or a level crossing or a car pulling out from somewhere.

Passed first time 18 months ago

[Fox92]

The theory is complete sh*t and not needed... In my opinion, you just need to know the basics of your car - where the oil goes, water goes etc - and just need to know some of the signs as well as understanding lanes on the road etc... There's some stupid questions and for me there is no need for all this "how can you be eco-friendly" and "if a train doesn't come for 10 minutes depsite being stopped at a level crossing what should you do".

 

I passed my driving test four years ago in 2010, but I've only been driving since early 2012. That's when I had a job, so I saved up to afford a car and insurance. Insurance was £1400, but because I was working I just payed it because it comes down after, and now I pay just under £600. Quite a drop.

[Unabomber]

The theory is complete sh*t and not needed... In my opinion, you just need to know the basics of your car - where the oil goes, water goes etc - and just need to know some of the signs as well as understanding lanes on the road etc... There's some stupid questions and for me there is no need for all this "how can you be eco-friendly" and "if a train doesn't come for 10 minutes depsite being stopped at a level crossing what should you do".

 

I passed my driving test four years ago in 2010, but I've only been driving since early 2012. That's when I had a job, so I saved up to afford a car and insurance. Insurance was £1400, but because I was working I just payed it because it comes down after, and now I pay just under £600. Quite a drop.

Blimey what car have you got? I passed and then left it 18 months before I got a car but the insurance was only £600 maybe it's because i'm older and wiser I dunno.

[Fox92]

Blimey what car have you got? I passed and then left it 18 months before I got a car but the insurance was only £600 maybe it's because i'm older and wiser I dunno.

 

Only a Corsa from like 1999.

 

Might be due to age. I'm approaching 22 now, I take it you're older?, and when I first got the car/insurance I was obviously 20.

 

Not sure about 'wiser' though Unabomber 

[Unabomber]

Only a Corsa from like 1999.

 

Might be due to age. I'm approaching 22 now, I take it you're older?, and when I first got the car/insurance I was obviously 20.

 

Not sure about 'wiser' though Unabomber 

Me either.

Yeah I was older 24 so it must make a big difference. 

 

To anyone learning atm how much are lessons anyway nowadays?