Driving lessons

[Gnat]

I have just sent off my provisional forms (only took me about 6 months! ;D )
and am now goingt to get some driving lessons.

I was wondering, is it better to go with somehwre like BSM, or a different one?

Does anyone have any reccomendations ?

Thankyooooou :)

[visage]

Run, people! run for the hills!

[cleanbluesky]

I used BSM, and there are a few advantages such as mock testing and the ability to get another instructor easily if yours is off sick (compared to a small school)

I've found a vehicle that you can make mistakes in whilst still looking pink

http://sherrychandler.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/pink_tank.jpg

[Kell_ee001]

I used one of the bigger driving schools for my first few lessons and hated it. Felt they were holding me back to get more money out of me and it was really impersonal. I then switched to a local female instructor who was so so much better! She was flexible about where I was picked up and dropped off, got used to my habits (I used to get 5 mins crazy time as I was practising in another car and used to screw up constantly for the first 5 mins in the instructors car :D ) and she really pushed me to take my test instead of eking out the lessons. Was cheaper too! :D

[Gnat]

I used BSM, and there are a few advantages such as mock testing and the ability to get another instructor easily if yours is off sick (compared to a small school) I've found a vehicle that you can make mistakes in whilst still looking pink http://sherrychandler.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/pink_tank.jpgpretty...
But not pink enough :D

[Psymonkee]

I went with AA and it seemed ok :)

Change of instructor towards the end annoyed me (first one quit) as the new one was really harsh and suggested I shouldn't drive without dual controls for a few weeks :o

Maybe that's what pushed me into passing?

Anyhoo can't comment on cost as I never paid..

[Jingo]

I used a local chap who I got a package of 4 lesson for £60 (that was in 2004 mind).

The package gave me plenty of time to familiarise myself with the car and take some last minute pointers before my test.

My advice is similar to the points mentioned by Kelleee above: to not get caught in the trap of prolonging your lessons (a common thing I hear of is instructors saying "yes - about 8 weeks of lessons will do" etc).

Be safe and you'll be fine :)

[LeperousDust]

I don't see there being much advantage from large firm o small school. You could say you're more likely to get a "bad egg" from a private instructor, but on the other hand they're self employed and it's in their interest to keep a good name. As opposed to BSM etc... who are backed by a big name.

Personally i'd just go with whoever is cheapest locally since its nice a easy and get a chunk of lessons for discount (10 or 20 hours in one go). See how you feel going from there :)

[Gnat]

Thanks for replies everyone.
I was thinking of going to a local one as they did a student discount so it actually ended up quite a lot cheaper, but was worried it wouldnt be as good :)

Is it possible to have enough lessons to pass before may do you think?

[cheets]

I learnt with a local private instructor, me and my sister both passed first time with him, but this was back in 1999 £14 for a 1 hour lesson :D

[Psymonkee]

Thanks for replies everyone.
I was thinking of going to a local one as they did a student discount so it actually ended up quite a lot cheaper, but was worried it wouldnt be as good :)

Is it possible to have enough lessons to pass before may do you think?

I would have thought so :)

I started learning to drive in December of 1999 and was unleashed by myself mid May 2000 :)

Quite handy as it's very easy to work out how long I've been driving when the grey matter can't do simple calculations :p

[Nutcase]

Ask around, any of your friends learn't recently?

I'd go for a local independent - his name is on the line, not some big company. The bloke who taught me also did my mum and brother.

A bit of a wierdo (kept going on about Marconi employees killing themselves?!?!?!), but could certainly teach driving :D

[Del Lardo]

Is it possible to have enough lessons to pass before may do you think?

I'd certainly hope so. Assuming start of May then that is 7 months or ~30 weeks. Even people who really struggled to learn (like my sister) were able to pass after ~35 lessons.

[mejinks]

I was taught by a cool a heck guy called Wayne (waynes world of motoring lol) and he suggested putting in for my test after 8 lessons.

My advice is to go with a female instructor as there are some real horror stories about dirty old perv driving instructors. I taught a few people to drive believe it or not and was at one point considering becoming a driving instructor to get out of IT.

BTW, first one to say "female driving instructor, blind leading the blind" or any disparaging remarks will be tutted at :)

[Blighter]

Go local :)

[Dee]

I was paying £16 an hour back in 2000, and it took me 10 months to pass I think, if I had passed first time, and the DVLA didnt **** up a booking, it would have been six months.

Another vote for local though :)

[Blighter]

Family friend is a driving instructor so when I get round to doing my lessons it'll be £10/hr :D

[Flibster]

I
My advice is to go with a female instructor as there are some real horror stories about dirty old perv driving instructors.

It's true. I had a female driving instructor for a few lessons. She wasn't a perv.


Sadly. :(

[Garp]

I used a local guy who had a great reputation. Main thing to do is ask around, find out who people local to you have used and found to be good. The guy I had was fine to push me as fast as I wanted to go with learning, didn't rush me to the test as fast as some did, but was emphasising real-world driving skills, so more than just learning to pass the test.

[Darryn]

As others have said ask local friends who they learnt with... also ask the instructor about there pass-rate.

I started learning October 07 with a local instructor (mate from school as it happens) and even before the first lesson he recommended i apply and if possible take my theory test, which i did, it gets it out of the way and also gets you reading the highway code and learning the theory side of it before you actually get in the car. I also got as much car time as possible in my own car with parents, friends, random strangers and the odd dwarf. :)

Passed both the theory and main test first time (14th Jan) with 12 lessons and 2000+miles clocked up in my Mini... I had 3 cancelled tests due to bad weather. :(

[lostkat]

There was a driving instructor living on my road. However, I noticed that everyone seemed to take forever to pass with him, so I decided to go elsewhere.

I just picked up the phone book, saw who was local and had an offer on (I think I got my first 2 hrs free) and went with them. They weren't a one man band, just a small local company. The bloke who taught me to drive was a slob and chain smoked (which wouldn't happen now), but he was a good instructor and I managed to pass first time after 4 months (about 15 lessons).

Olibubble - I'd give your student discount place a go and see how you get on with them. You can always swap or ask to change instructors if they're crap.

[Jingo]

Is it possible to have enough lessons to pass before may do you think?

Oh goodness I should hope so! :)

How're you getting on so far then? Have you found an instructor/school you like?