Bad driving instructors

Bad driving instructors

Author
Discussion

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Monday 9th May 2016
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Rather than bad habits. My instructor instilled massive self doubt, by constantly reminding me how badly I was doing, how I should be further along by now, telling my folks he is concerned at my lack of progress, he would pick up the next student before dropping me off, saying watch this guy.
I would take the gearstick between fingers to guide it around, even this incensed him, 'take hold of it properly and force it into gear' he'd say. Well gee, Fangio said to drive by the fingers.. I'd think..
Failed my test of course, went to new instructor, laid back Jamaican fella, let me relax and get on with it. Sailed through the test. A good teacher is essential.

ashleyman

6,962 posts

98 months

Monday 9th May 2016
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I learnt to drive in small hatchbacks like Fiestas and Fiat 500's. Whats with the new trend of seeing learners in BMW X3's?

Bill Plant seem to use them all the time round my way, alongside 1 series and Audi A3's..

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

125 months

Monday 9th May 2016
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ashleyman said:
I learnt to drive in small hatchbacks like Fiestas and Fiat 500's. Whats with the new trend of seeing learners in BMW X3's?

Bill Plant seem to use them all the time round my way, alongside 1 series and Audi A3's..
Monthly payments probably not much different, but great marketing tool to the aspirational brand- and image-obsessed millenials.

All it would take is a few more lessons per month, and the extra lease cost's covered. The lease cost's minimal compared to the cost of the instructor.

Artey

757 posts

105 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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ashleyman said:
I learnt to drive in small hatchbacks like Fiestas and Fiat 500's. Whats with the new trend of seeing learners in BMW X3's?
Not sure if it's a bad thing. As a new driver if you can handle parking in X3 or bigger you sure won't have issues parking a Fiesta or a 500. It's a bit different story the other way round.

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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stephen300o said:
Rather than bad habits. My instructor instilled massive self doubt, by constantly reminding me how badly I was doing, how I should be further along by now, telling my folks he is concerned at my lack of progress, he would pick up the next student before dropping me off, saying watch this guy.
I would take the gearstick between fingers to guide it around, even this incensed him, 'take hold of it properly and force it into gear' he'd say. Well gee, Fangio said to drive by the fingers.. I'd think..
Failed my test of course, went to new instructor, laid back Jamaican fella, let me relax and get on with it. Sailed through the test. A good teacher is essential.
So you ignored the advice of the person you were paying to teach you to drive in favour of advice intended for ancient racing cars in grand prix racing, and you were surprised the instructor thought you weren't making progress?

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
quotequote all
Dr Jekyll said:
stephen300o said:
Rather than bad habits. My instructor instilled massive self doubt, by constantly reminding me how badly I was doing, how I should be further along by now, telling my folks he is concerned at my lack of progress, he would pick up the next student before dropping me off, saying watch this guy.
I would take the gearstick between fingers to guide it around, even this incensed him, 'take hold of it properly and force it into gear' he'd say. Well gee, Fangio said to drive by the fingers.. I'd think..
Failed my test of course, went to new instructor, laid back Jamaican fella, let me relax and get on with it. Sailed through the test. A good teacher is essential.
So you ignored the advice of the person you were paying to teach you to drive in favour of advice intended for ancient racing cars in grand prix racing, and you were surprised the instructor thought you weren't making progress?
He was mental. Pulling the gear lever into gear like hammering a nail. I'm a mechanic and know well how you do not need to be aggressive with gear changes at all.

Edited by stephen300o on Sunday 29th May 16:24


Edited by stephen300o on Sunday 29th May 18:57

leggly

1,779 posts

210 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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I know three driving instructors and wouldn't trust any of them to drive a greasy pole up a dogs arse as the saying goes.

TheInsanity1234

740 posts

118 months

Sunday 29th May 2016
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ashleyman said:
I learnt to drive in small hatchbacks like Fiestas and Fiat 500's. Whats with the new trend of seeing learners in BMW X3's?

Bill Plant seem to use them all the time round my way, alongside 1 series and Audi A3's..
They don't use X3's, they use X1's but then they're still pretty big.