Pass within a week

Desmo · 12-02-2007, 10:42

On my way into work this morning I saw, on the back of a driving instructors car, "pass within a week" intensive training. I happen to think that this shouldn't really be allowed anymore. I'd like to see a minimum amount of hours in a car before being allowed to take a test.

I did a one week intensive course for my motorbike lessons and in no way did it prepare me for riding properly. And that was with 3 or 4 years driving experience under my belt.

So, what do you guys think?

Burble · 12-02-2007, 10:54

I think it's an awful, awful idea. To let someone sit behind the wheel of a car for only a few hours and then go pass a test is crazy. They'll have next to no real world driving experience. All they need to do is have a bit of good luck on the test and they get a license. Madness.

That isn't to say that everyone who passes the driving test having had a lot more lessons is a great driver. I firmly believe that if I drove now like I did on my test (the BSM shuffle and so on) then I'd crash. A lot.

semi-pro waster · 12-02-2007, 11:13

Like Burbleflop says a lot of lessons doesn't automatically make someone a good driver, I know someone who passed after one of intensive week courses and I'd trust being in the car with him more than with another girl I know who took about 2 years. However she will have had a lot more experience in differing traffic conditions at least.

I'm not totally sure but I'd think on average you are right and that it would be a better idea to make it dependent on a certain number of hours in an instructors car, however this may make it prohibitively expensive for some people. The test is somewhat of an unrealistic way to prepare for driving anyway, I think you learn to drive properly after you have passed. I don't drive like I did when I passed, partly through bad habits but mainly because having gained a bit more experience and confidence means I don't always do things the way I was originally taught.

Haly · 12-02-2007, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by semi-pro waster

I'm not totally sure but I'd think on average you are right and that it would be a better idea to make it dependent on a certain number of hours in an instructors car, however this may make it prohibitively expensive for some people.

To be fair, probably almost everything to do with driving would then be prohibitively expensive anyway. I know the cost of lessons was the tip of the iceberg imo compared to buying a car, insurance, car tax, random parts to fix on the car etc.
If they couldn't afford to take the lessons, they probably can't afford the rest easily anyhow.

I'd agree that a minimum amount of hours would be a good idea. Although it's not going to be as good as experience on your own, it will still help a lot imo.
I don't think I'd like to pass within a week anyhow, I wouldn't feel very confident in myself at all thinking 'Last week I didn't have a clue'!

Will · 12-02-2007, 12:45

Definitely a bad idea. I quite like the system in France whereas you have to log 40hrs of driving before you can even do your test, or 40hrs of driving lessons or something like that. eitherway there is a minimum limit you have to reach. They've recently made the test harder and harsher owing to the high number of road deaths that they had in France. It's getting a lot better now, very very noticeably so.

I've always thought the test teaches you how to pass but does little else for direct experience. (Un)fortunately the only way of getting experience is time and attitude. If you drive with a lack of experience and a poor attitude it won't get you very far.

mejinks · 12-02-2007, 12:45

I believe that you don't start to learn to drive until you've passed your test TBH.

Burble · 12-02-2007, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mejinks

I believe that you don't start to learn to drive until you've passed your test TBH.

I think the same.

Matblack · 12-02-2007, 12:57

I'm in agreement with you but I think intensive sessions are somthing which should be open to people who have previously tried weekly driving lessons and it hasn't worked for them or who have tried and failed a test.

Intensive is pretty much the only way Aitch would be able to take her test now due to other commitments, she just couldn't find the time to do an hour lesson a week unless she could find and instructor who would teach after 8pm, she also didn't get on with the whole 1 hour a week thing, it just wasn't regular enough for her to make decent progress.

MB

mejinks · 12-02-2007, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

......Intensive is pretty much the only way Aitch would be able to take her test now due to other commitments, she just couldn't find the time to do an hour lesson a week unless she could find and instructor who would teach after 8pm, she also didn't get on with the whole 1 hour a week thing, it just wasn't regular enough for her to make decent progress.

MB

Without wanting to sound like a Chauvanistic pig.....

Anyway, I think that young male drivers certainly need a bare minimum of tuition as they are agressive and without fear. Inexperienced women need a minimum amount too as far too often they are hesitant and nervous and cause accidents to happen.

Only the other day this woman in a saxo nearly went into the back of me in the snow because she clearly paniced and jammed the brakes on. Fortunately, she went skidding off to the left into the distance.

One thing I would like to see introduced is a minimum of hours tuition, a course in skid control and night driving. Once driving becomes natural to you, you relax and don't make nearly as many mistakes.

Dr. Z · 12-02-2007, 13:52

Personally, I can see the merits of a minimum number of lessons but then you are FORCING people into having commercial lessons. I did have commercial lessons but if my Dad had been able to, I would have been taught by him. I wouldnt have been able to take my test under a rule like that. As it happens, thanks to my previous years of track experience, I only needed a handful of lessons to get used to doing things on a road rather than a track.

I just think that it doesnt address the problem at all, the logic is backwards.

To me the solution seems quite simple - if you only want premium drivers on the road, only allow premium drivers to pass the driving test. Nothing to do with the number or regularity of lessons and everything to do with how hard the test is.

12-02-2007, 10:42	#1
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Pass within a week On my way into work this morning I saw, on the back of a driving instructors car, "pass within a week" intensive training. I happen to think that this shouldn't really be allowed anymore. I'd like to see a minimum amount of hours in a car before being allowed to take a test. I did a one week intensive course for my motorbike lessons and in no way did it prepare me for riding properly. And that was with 3 or 4 years driving experience under my belt. So, what do you guys think? __________________

12-02-2007, 11:13	#3
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	Like Burbleflop says a lot of lessons doesn't automatically make someone a good driver, I know someone who passed after one of intensive week courses and I'd trust being in the car with him more than with another girl I know who took about 2 years. However she will have had a lot more experience in differing traffic conditions at least. I'm not totally sure but I'd think on average you are right and that it would be a better idea to make it dependent on a certain number of hours in an instructors car, however this may make it prohibitively expensive for some people. The test is somewhat of an unrealistic way to prepare for driving anyway, I think you learn to drive properly after you have passed. I don't drive like I did when I passed, partly through bad habits but mainly because having gained a bit more experience and confidence means I don't always do things the way I was originally taught. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

12-02-2007, 12:45	#5
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Definitely a bad idea. I quite like the system in France whereas you have to log 40hrs of driving before you can even do your test, or 40hrs of driving lessons or something like that. eitherway there is a minimum limit you have to reach. They've recently made the test harder and harsher owing to the high number of road deaths that they had in France. It's getting a lot better now, very very noticeably so. I've always thought the test teaches you how to pass but does little else for direct experience. (Un)fortunately the only way of getting experience is time and attitude. If you drive with a lack of experience and a poor attitude it won't get you very far. __________________ *No No!*

12-02-2007, 12:57	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	I'm in agreement with you but I think intensive sessions are somthing which should be open to people who have previously tried weekly driving lessons and it hasn't worked for them or who have tried and failed a test. Intensive is pretty much the only way Aitch would be able to take her test now due to other commitments, she just couldn't find the time to do an hour lesson a week unless she could find and instructor who would teach after 8pm, she also didn't get on with the whole 1 hour a week thing, it just wasn't regular enough for her to make decent progress. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

12-02-2007, 13:52	#10
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	Personally, I can see the merits of a minimum number of lessons but then you are FORCING people into having commercial lessons. I did have commercial lessons but if my Dad had been able to, I would have been taught by him. I wouldnt have been able to take my test under a rule like that. As it happens, thanks to my previous years of track experience, I only needed a handful of lessons to get used to doing things on a road rather than a track. I just think that it doesnt address the problem at all, the logic is backwards. To me the solution seems quite simple - if you only want premium drivers on the road, only allow premium drivers to pass the driving test. Nothing to do with the number or regularity of lessons and everything to do with how hard the test is. __________________

12-02-2007, 10:54	#2
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I think it's an awful, awful idea. To let someone sit behind the wheel of a car for only a few hours and then go pass a test is crazy. They'll have next to no real world driving experience. All they need to do is have a bit of good luck on the test and they get a license. Madness. That isn't to say that everyone who passes the driving test having had a lot more lessons is a great driver. I firmly believe that if I drove now like I did on my test (the BSM shuffle and so on) then I'd crash. A lot.