Learning to drive with just lessons

Sorry if this has been covered before but I couldn't find it!
I know every driver is different but what do people think about the possibilty of "never sat in the driver's seat" to passing the test with just a block booking of lessons and no practice in between? Could this be done with 10 - 20 lessons? I wouldn't have to wait six months for the test as I'd be on my second provisional/learner permit.

I don't have access to anyone's car where I'm living, my mother has offered to insure me on her car but it would take me alot of travelling (ironic eh?) and I'd probably only do it once, maybe at a real push twice a week and I don't know how much use that would be.

My other idea was to buy a car for myself but I'd probably only be able to get a licensed driver to accompany me twice a week too, so my car would do alot of sitting around the driveway while I paid for insurance... (I'm 25 and I've no idea how much insurance would be..) I'd probably prefer this option to travelling for practise though!

Anyway, I'm wondering is there any point trying the lessons only route?

Permabear

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brian076

donegalfella wrote: »

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I'd generally agree with this, and I'd think you'd have to be exceptional to pass a test after 20 lessons. However, it's not impossible to pass it by just taking lessons, I did it , although it was a long time ago. Realistically I'd think you may need 30 - 40 lessons minimum, but everyone's different and you may get to test standard quicker.
Really the only way to find out is to book a course of 10 lessons with a reputable instructor and take his/her advice.
The one thing that a lot of people probably don't realise, is that the Irish driving test is very easy to pass. Most people who fail the test are not necessarily bad drivers, they're just not doing some of the key things that the tester is looking for, so with proper coaching you could pass the test.
This doesn't mean you'd be a good driver, and I probably wouldn't want to go on a 300 mile road trip with you, but you only have to look at the standard of driving in this country by individuals with full licences to see that the driving test is not going to provide you with the skills of an advanced driver.

challengemaster

You're not made wait 6 months before sitting your test for no reason. It's so you can practice driving.

Posy

donegalfella wrote: »

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I hope not since this is what I'm doing. I don't have access to a car and have to either take lots of lessons, then book a test or get a car and drive it illegally. My instructor says it'd be great if I could get some practice but I can do the test without practicing in between lessons. He thinks it should take 25 or so lessons to be up to test standard, then maybe 5 or so more when the test is due. It's costing a lot but it's my decision to learn to drive and not break the law.
Hopefully after I pass a test I'll be able to get a car and practice my skills then. (But wouldn't be planning any road-trips for a while though..)

Tony Broke

Insurance on a 1.0/1.1 will be about 1000e

Tax 227e a year

Car about 700e for a decent little Peugeot 106/Starlet

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1282756

Not that expensive, but still alot.

I would take a few lessons ( about 7 or 8 ) then do the Provisional Ignition programme to get cheaper insurance and after that I would think about getting a car.

http://www.hibernian.ie/online/driving/ignition/about/provisionalignition/

Permabear

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Gary ITR

OP I did it. 5 lessons, 1 pretest and Bob's your auntie. I picked up no bad habits from driving by myself or with a non professional teacher.

aidan_r

Doing the same myself, have taken 11 lessons. Test is in month, I'll probably take a couple more just before it.

Thanks Caderyn, that's pretty much along the lines of what I was thinking of doing. Don't want to spend a bunch of money on lessons though and still not be able to drive! How are you finding it? Are you getting comfortable with driving even though it's just the hour or two a week?

I know it's not an ideal way to learn and if I had my choice of course I'd prefer to get lots of supervised practise and learn at my own pace! Unfortunately, I don't live with my parents, I don't have access to a car and even if I did I don't know alot of people where I'm living that have full licenses for two years and could supervise me

Having said that, I think it's great they're enforcing the supervision of all learners, but it does make it hard if you didn't learn how to drive in your parents car when you were 17!

I think I'll try out a few lessons first and see how that goes. And maybe if I get a car I can get a few friends to promise me one hour a week supervision each?? (If they'll travel to me... hmmm...)

Posy

I'm finding it okay. As I said, my instructor doesn't think it'll be too hard for me to pass the test in the next couple of months and I'm not getting any bad habits or anything since I'm only getting professional instruction! Sure a lot of people fail the driving test who would have been driving every day for years! Even if you end up getting 30 or so lessons, that's still (only) about a grand which isn't that much when you think of getting a car now, insuring it, taxing it, servicing it etc.. (not to mention not being able to drive it home alone, doing a test drive on a learner permit etc..)
Unfortunately I don't have any family with a car and although I know a few people with cars, I wouldn't know them well enough to go driving with them!
If I want to 'practice' I just read my Rules of the Road. This way is taking a while but it's working alright for me.. plus I'm not running the risk of a big fat fine every time I'm driving.