How many lessons does a modern kid need to pass?
Discussion
Stepson - 20yo - not driven in his life (except a moped he did 300 miles on in a year)
May be moving out ... so needs transport to get to work - go back to the moped I said - no chance he replied.
So suddenly he wants to drive ... after showing zilch inclination to get behind the wheel since he was old enough.
I passed back in 1979 taught by my old chap (weren't we all) in a 1974 Mini Clubman. I can understand that nowadays it's perhaps a bit more involved but the actual test can't be THAT different can it? Keep looking in your mirror - don't knock anyone down - MSM etc ... keep to the speed limits etc - exercise control of the car ...
He's taken the theory once and failed ... so has to do that of course before he can be let loose on the road. Anxous to catch up his mates now of course he fancies one of these intensive courses which I have said sound like paying a load of money just for the instant gratification of passing. He's waited over three years, a few more months won't make a difference ...
How many lessons does the average kid need to pass now do you reckon? What are they - £25 a go? I've suggested he get the car, get it insured - not too bad even for a learner at 20 and I'll teach him - maybe have a couple of lessonos just before the test - save a bloody fortune
It is NECESSARY to block book 30 lessons to pass nowadays - a con if it is.
May be moving out ... so needs transport to get to work - go back to the moped I said - no chance he replied.
So suddenly he wants to drive ... after showing zilch inclination to get behind the wheel since he was old enough.
I passed back in 1979 taught by my old chap (weren't we all) in a 1974 Mini Clubman. I can understand that nowadays it's perhaps a bit more involved but the actual test can't be THAT different can it? Keep looking in your mirror - don't knock anyone down - MSM etc ... keep to the speed limits etc - exercise control of the car ...
He's taken the theory once and failed ... so has to do that of course before he can be let loose on the road. Anxous to catch up his mates now of course he fancies one of these intensive courses which I have said sound like paying a load of money just for the instant gratification of passing. He's waited over three years, a few more months won't make a difference ...
How many lessons does the average kid need to pass now do you reckon? What are they - £25 a go? I've suggested he get the car, get it insured - not too bad even for a learner at 20 and I'll teach him - maybe have a couple of lessonos just before the test - save a bloody fortune
It is NECESSARY to block book 30 lessons to pass nowadays - a con if it is.
Edited by MikeyT on Thursday 8th September 17:57
I took roughly 30 lessons, some pick it up quick some slow. I know people who have had 50+ before being ready for first test and one who had 7 (although I've got a sneaky suspicion his rich daddy insured him on his car and he spent hours driving around before even going for his first lesson)
Ha! if you live in peterbob as your profile suggests I can put you onto the instructor I had. He lives in bourne but might be willing as we drove to pete every lesson anyway. was £17/h for me and really top notch chap - was more interested in preparing me for a lifetime of driving than just passing the test as some instructors do.
honestly, yes. 30 would be on the low side too.
also remember that when people reply to this thread saying they took X number of lessons, double it and add 10. people never remember correctly, and always fail to admit to how long it took or how much additional driving they were getting with their dad etc!!! The test is harder these days, and does involve more than it ever has before.
40 lessons (at 45mins) would be a lot closer to the mark for the average beginner passing without any extra driving coming from elsewhere.
source: two mates who are instructors for a living.
also remember that when people reply to this thread saying they took X number of lessons, double it and add 10. people never remember correctly, and always fail to admit to how long it took or how much additional driving they were getting with their dad etc!!! The test is harder these days, and does involve more than it ever has before.
40 lessons (at 45mins) would be a lot closer to the mark for the average beginner passing without any extra driving coming from elsewhere.
source: two mates who are instructors for a living.
The test is definitely harder than ever. And it has gotten even harder since I passed (longer and an extra manoeuvre) in 2005.
To pass in 2005 I took 8 lessons and one extra one before my test...although I'd been riding motorbikes (motocross) since the age of 5 so actually driving wasn't an issue).
To pass in 2005 I took 8 lessons and one extra one before my test...although I'd been riding motorbikes (motocross) since the age of 5 so actually driving wasn't an issue).
If he has experience on the moped, I would hope that he'd have some basic fundamental observation/road knowledge. The theory seems to be very hit and miss, I was asked questions about trams on mine despite having never seen one until I went to Le Mans. Thankfully I live in Edinburgh now so my knowledge will come in useful within the next 10 100 years.
The best way to learn is obviously practice, if you can take him out multiple times a week then it will be a lot cheaper. Just remember to be patient and expect the odd hissy fit! If he's driving outside of lessons, he should be able to do it with less than 10 easily (you need to have some to ensure you can do the maneuvers the way they want).
ETA: I took 6 lessons and passed in 2006 but was driving regularly for 6 months or so with my Dad.
I've never understood why people pay an instructor to learn stuff like clutch control/changing gear.
stall "whoops, try again" stall "whoops, try again" stall "well, that's all we have time for, £30 please.
Surely this could be learnt on a driveway/airfield/field/anywhere which isn't public highway? Even Gran Turismo 5 has a (albeit not very good) clutch function with a G25 wheel.
The best way to learn is obviously practice, if you can take him out multiple times a week then it will be a lot cheaper. Just remember to be patient and expect the odd hissy fit! If he's driving outside of lessons, he should be able to do it with less than 10 easily (you need to have some to ensure you can do the maneuvers the way they want).
ETA: I took 6 lessons and passed in 2006 but was driving regularly for 6 months or so with my Dad.
I've never understood why people pay an instructor to learn stuff like clutch control/changing gear.
stall "whoops, try again" stall "whoops, try again" stall "well, that's all we have time for, £30 please.
Surely this could be learnt on a driveway/airfield/field/anywhere which isn't public highway? Even Gran Turismo 5 has a (albeit not very good) clutch function with a G25 wheel.
Edited by bicycleshorts on Thursday 8th September 13:26
KardioKate said:
I passed in 2006 after 8 lessons. There really is nothing difficult to it.
lol, sure."it took me 5 mins in a cardboard box with wheels to get the idea, then I got the best pass rate they have ever seen in this country."
OP: you will get a lot of these. but seriously. 40 is about average
Edited by Efbe on Thursday 8th September 13:25
I passed 7years ago, aged 17.
6 lessons. Test. done. Passed.
I did a fair bit of driving over summer for mother though.
OH's kid bro, is 19..... Been learning for 12months plus. Had 46 lessons, and still going strong.
To be fair, lucky he can stay awake long enough to complete the 1hour lesson, as the other 22hours a day, he's on the sofa in a PS3 induced coma.
6 lessons. Test. done. Passed.
I did a fair bit of driving over summer for mother though.
OH's kid bro, is 19..... Been learning for 12months plus. Had 46 lessons, and still going strong.
To be fair, lucky he can stay awake long enough to complete the 1hour lesson, as the other 22hours a day, he's on the sofa in a PS3 induced coma.
Due to the fact that the majority of people only take it once, it's probably hard to tell whether it is actually any harder. Any driving instructors that can weigh in?
I reckon today's cars have such terrible visibility that it must have made the maneouvers trickier (but maybe less effort due to power steering).
I reckon today's cars have such terrible visibility that it must have made the maneouvers trickier (but maybe less effort due to power steering).
Compared to "the old days" there's now a multiple choice highway code test which should be pretty hard to fail for most, and a hazard perception video click-a-thon which is nonsense. Also, in the practical test, amongst other changes, there is now a component whereby the driver must independently follow a route without prompting. Having said that, my first test (which I failed) felt very hard, my more recent test (which I passed) was very easy.
Total of about 20 lessons for the first, I think, though its a while ago so could be way off. Recent test I just took a week's intensive largely due to lack of time and desire to get it over and done with.
Total of about 20 lessons for the first, I think, though its a while ago so could be way off. Recent test I just took a week's intensive largely due to lack of time and desire to get it over and done with.
My eldest daughter passed first time about 5 yrs ago after about 10 lessons. She jumped the gun a bit and booked the test herself without asking her instructor if he felt she was ready.
My youngest passed first time just over 2 years ago , about 20 lessons , using the same instructor and doing the test when he felt she was ready.
My youngest passed first time just over 2 years ago , about 20 lessons , using the same instructor and doing the test when he felt she was ready.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff