How much to pass test ?
Discussion
Eldest is a year off his 17th, have promised to pay for his lessons and whatever, or at least a percentage, he can pay some to focus his mind, so assuming he passes first time (will deal with subsequent tests later) I am thinking the Theory is £31 and test about £70 give or take, then lessons, say 20 lessons at about what, £25 a lesson ?
So, a quick calculation says about £600 as a minimum but probably £700 - £1000 realistically ?
How much did you spend, how many lessons, I cant remember and as it was 22 years ago, not that relevant.
So, a quick calculation says about £600 as a minimum but probably £700 - £1000 realistically ?
How much did you spend, how many lessons, I cant remember and as it was 22 years ago, not that relevant.
Edited by J4CKO on Wednesday 9th November 15:39
I think, I had around 20 hours of lessons.. Passed first time (Got to bare that in mind, my brother failed twice, so thats £110 of failed tests and £55 for the test he passed) and it cost me around £900 or so.
EDIT; Actually, can't be right.. Must be less than that, £700 or so.
EDIT; Actually, can't be right.. Must be less than that, £700 or so.
Edited by JonnyFive on Wednesday 9th November 15:44
my uncle is a driving instructor, and has been for 25+ years.
I asked him this recently.
He say's the average person across all different driving schools passes with 50-70 lessons at roughly 22 quid a pop, fails theroy test once, passes second time, and 50% pass practical test first time, the rest pass 2nd or 3rd time.
lessons: (50*22) - (70*22) = £1100 - £1540
theroy test cd rom/highway code £30
theroy test approx £50
practical approx £100
if passed, license fee approx £60
so looking at anywhere from about £1300 - £2000
I asked him this recently.
He say's the average person across all different driving schools passes with 50-70 lessons at roughly 22 quid a pop, fails theroy test once, passes second time, and 50% pass practical test first time, the rest pass 2nd or 3rd time.
lessons: (50*22) - (70*22) = £1100 - £1540
theroy test cd rom/highway code £30
theroy test approx £50
practical approx £100
if passed, license fee approx £60
so looking at anywhere from about £1300 - £2000
esvcg said:
my uncle is a driving instructor, and has been for 25+ years.
I asked him this recently.
He say's the average person across all different driving schools passes with 50-70 lessons at roughly 22 quid a pop, fails theroy test once, passes second time, and 50% pass practical test first time, the rest pass 2nd or 3rd time.
lessons: (50*22) - (70*22) = £1100 - £1540
theroy test cd rom/highway code £30
theroy test approx £50
practical approx £100
if passed, license fee approx £60
so looking at anywhere from about £1300 - £2000
Man... what are these averages based around? Teaching monkeys?! I asked him this recently.
He say's the average person across all different driving schools passes with 50-70 lessons at roughly 22 quid a pop, fails theroy test once, passes second time, and 50% pass practical test first time, the rest pass 2nd or 3rd time.
lessons: (50*22) - (70*22) = £1100 - £1540
theroy test cd rom/highway code £30
theroy test approx £50
practical approx £100
if passed, license fee approx £60
so looking at anywhere from about £1300 - £2000
I can't believe the average is up to 70 lessons! I'm sure you're more informed than I am... but really?!
Most of my friends at my time of learning took 20-25 1hr lessons.
Anyone else??
80sboy said:
Man... what are these averages based around? Teaching monkeys?!
I can't believe the average is up to 70 lessons! I'm sure you're more informed than I am... but really?!
Most of my friends at my time of learning took 20-25 1hr lessons.
Anyone else??
Bear in mind it's across all demographics, some people will barely have even sat in a car. Having some understanding of the mechanics obviously helps you drive as you understand the processes you are working through - some are just less competent but reach the required standard after some intensive tuition!I can't believe the average is up to 70 lessons! I'm sure you're more informed than I am... but really?!
Most of my friends at my time of learning took 20-25 1hr lessons.
Anyone else??
The test is also supposedly harder now but that could be argued about until the cows come home, only an examiner or instructor who's been teaching for a few decades would be able to provide (anecdotal) evidence.
80sboy said:
Man... what are these averages based around? Teaching monkeys?!
I can't believe the average is up to 70 lessons! I'm sure you're more informed than I am... but really?!
Most of my friends at my time of learning took 20-25 1hr lessons.
Anyone else??
I know, but 50-70 is an average driving school stat. Several reasons is many people only do 1 a week, if you do 3-4 a week you will need less to pass, as you get in the zone quicker.I can't believe the average is up to 70 lessons! I'm sure you're more informed than I am... but really?!
Most of my friends at my time of learning took 20-25 1hr lessons.
Anyone else??
Also if you book 1 slots a week, it's gonna take a good ten minutes to focus.
Also traffic plays a major role too these days, it can take 20 minutes to get from a college to the quieter roads...
SMcP114 said:
Jesus, 20 lessons? I done three back when I passed my test. Trying to think back to mates doing their test, I think most of them done between 5-10 lessons. 20 seems very extreme although I could be wrong.
But, it's all relative. I'm sure if I had been driving cars before my first ever lesson I'd have done it in less than 20. But the first time I got behind the wheel was my driving instructors car, so from nothing to passing in 20 lessons is imo, not too bad.esvcg said:
I know, but 50-70 is an average driving school stat. Several reasons is many people only do 1 a week, if you do 3-4 a week you will need less to pass, as you get in the zone quicker.
Also if you book 1 slots a week, it's gonna take a good ten minutes to focus.
Also traffic plays a major role too these days, it can take 20 minutes to get from a college to the quieter roads...
I went to an independent driving teacher with a good reputation. Also if you book 1 slots a week, it's gonna take a good ten minutes to focus.
Also traffic plays a major role too these days, it can take 20 minutes to get from a college to the quieter roads...
I heard than many of the big named driving schools often gave you a different teacher each time, which is detrimental to your learning I'm sure.
Also, I heard that they often got as many lessons out of you as possible... to keep busy. Rather than teaching you to pass.
Jesus, 2 grand !
He will be getting the Karate Kid treatment on the Theory, as its not just the money, its the time to get there and do it, the not feeling like a chimp for failing it, its dead easy, I did it for my bike test and got 100 percent as I battered the Highway code, practice tests and took my time, I got 80 percent on Hazard Perception, not sure how good he will be at that but he is a demon on "Call of Warfare Modern Soldiers 23" or whatever and can spot a single pixel snipe on a roof 2 miles away and shoot him between the eyes, wonder if it translates into increased awareness for that bit of the test ?
There is no need to fail the Theory, long story short, worked with someone whose Daughter failed it eight times at last count, FFS read the highway code, she was getting a mark ten off the required, sometimes going backwards between tests and plunging into a deep depression but being so thick she didnt equate the misery of failure with her lack of application at revision, to be honest she was too thick too drive !
Think I may focus the mind by saying I will pay for the first go, or is that more pressure, or is that a good thing if it may cost him his pre order copy of "Battle of Duty 12" to pay for the test he failed ?
He will be getting the Karate Kid treatment on the Theory, as its not just the money, its the time to get there and do it, the not feeling like a chimp for failing it, its dead easy, I did it for my bike test and got 100 percent as I battered the Highway code, practice tests and took my time, I got 80 percent on Hazard Perception, not sure how good he will be at that but he is a demon on "Call of Warfare Modern Soldiers 23" or whatever and can spot a single pixel snipe on a roof 2 miles away and shoot him between the eyes, wonder if it translates into increased awareness for that bit of the test ?
There is no need to fail the Theory, long story short, worked with someone whose Daughter failed it eight times at last count, FFS read the highway code, she was getting a mark ten off the required, sometimes going backwards between tests and plunging into a deep depression but being so thick she didnt equate the misery of failure with her lack of application at revision, to be honest she was too thick too drive !
Think I may focus the mind by saying I will pay for the first go, or is that more pressure, or is that a good thing if it may cost him his pre order copy of "Battle of Duty 12" to pay for the test he failed ?
Oh, he can actually operate a car, gears, clutch, brakes and his favourite, the handbrake, which I think he is simply for initiating a spin, not sure he is aware of the holding a car stationary when unatttended role of the device. Think some of my tuition (in a field) may need some remedial action.
80sboy said:
esvcg said:
I know, but 50-70 is an average driving school stat. Several reasons is many people only do 1 a week, if you do 3-4 a week you will need less to pass, as you get in the zone quicker.
Also if you book 1 slots a week, it's gonna take a good ten minutes to focus.
Also traffic plays a major role too these days, it can take 20 minutes to get from a college to the quieter roads...
I went to an independent driving teacher with a good reputation. Also if you book 1 slots a week, it's gonna take a good ten minutes to focus.
Also traffic plays a major role too these days, it can take 20 minutes to get from a college to the quieter roads...
I heard than many of the big named driving schools often gave you a different teacher each time, which is detrimental to your learning I'm sure.
Also, I heard that they often got as many lessons out of you as possible... to keep busy. Rather than teaching you to pass.
....lessons, insurance, petrol, buying a car, loans, fixing them, mot....
i just tell myself driving is a privilege and then it seems bearable!
I passed over 5 years ago now. I used an instructor who had taught quite a few of my friends; he was with the AA. IIRC it was £24/lesson for a booking of 12 hours / £26 individually. I had something like 13 lessons totalling 30 or so hours (including some 3 hour ones). Theory at roughly £25 + 2 lots of £288, 6 extra hours + time for test - roughly £150 plus test @ £50 = £801 which sounds about right.
12 lessons, passed 2nd time.
Was fortunate that I could drive my parents around a lot so gained about 1000 miles of experience on top of the lessons.
On holiday? Zaphod is driving.
Need shopping doing? Take Zaphod, he can drive.
Off to see Auntie Millie? Take Zaphod.
All weathers, all times of day and night. I think it helped more than the lessons.
Was fortunate that I could drive my parents around a lot so gained about 1000 miles of experience on top of the lessons.
On holiday? Zaphod is driving.
Need shopping doing? Take Zaphod, he can drive.
Off to see Auntie Millie? Take Zaphod.
All weathers, all times of day and night. I think it helped more than the lessons.
I passed 3 years ago, had 14 hours of lessons at £20 per hour with my mom's friend who is an experienced instructor. I had many more hours of driving before my test though, with an adult in the car with me. Went to Stratford from where I live, which is around an hour and half on dual carriageways and back roads, as a learner. My mom fell asleep on the way home so I had to do all the navigating by myself. 
Get him to do his theory as soon as he can. Then he can push to get to the test without excessive hours of 'learning'. I think an instructor is only properly needed to learn how to pass the test and with help how to properly do the manoeuvres on the test. The rest is trying to get experience on the road. Thankfully I had my car before 17 and had plenty of road time in it before passing.
Get him to do his theory as soon as he can. Then he can push to get to the test without excessive hours of 'learning'. I think an instructor is only properly needed to learn how to pass the test and with help how to properly do the manoeuvres on the test. The rest is trying to get experience on the road. Thankfully I had my car before 17 and had plenty of road time in it before passing.
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