Some Driving advise please.....

RubyXI

Hi. I'm looking for a bit of advise really.
I don't actually have a car yet but I've had a good few lessons and am now reasnobly ok at driving.
I'm wondering if i should continue with the lessons and take the test in a few months to get my licence or would I need to get a car first and practice for 6 months before I take my test. Is it likely that I'd pass without the 6 months practice?
I know it's ultimately up to me but some advise would be great thanks.

Mint Sauce

Well you have to wait 6 months after getting the provisional/learner permit before you can sit the test anyway.

As for the car, I had my own before my test but actully felt more confident in the instucters, so what ever you feel most comfortable in.

As for the lessons, not sure if the compulsary lessons are in yet, either way, a few pretest lessons at least if not in yet to get rid of the bad habbits and to know what the examiner will expect from you.

magochre

Hi phi3

As you say, ultimately only you can decide.

My own experience was learning in a dual control car for a few months and then I had use of a family member's car for the next 6 months or so before doing a test. I would not have passed my test without the extra practice and lots of it.

I'm in my mid forties and I imagine I was slower getting to grips with things than someone younger but, still, it was crucial to me not least because the focus was on learning to drive and feel comfortable in the car and on the road in different situations rather than only focusing on passing the test.

My instructors were brilliant but it was (and still is) up to me to internalise the methods and tips they imparted and it takes a while for these to become automatic.

Hope things go well for you.

desdman

In my opinion i think you should continue with the lessons for 6 months because if you go out and get a car now the cost for car insurance is alot,at least €2500 for a learner compared to a full licence holder,about €1700 . I would rather spend the difference between a learners car insurance and a full licence car insurance,average of €700 on driving lessons,if you get what i mean and don't forget you have to have someone who has a full licence for at least 2 years with you at all times even though 80% of learners don't obey that law(better to be safe then sorry).Also if you have an instructor,they would have more control over the car(dual controlled car) compared to having your own car with a full licecnce holder.Remember an instructor will always have more experience teaching someone how to drive properly then a typical full licence holder would thus more likely to make less mistakes on the road.

Faith+1

desdman wrote: »

In my opinion i think you should continue with the lessons for 6 months because if you go out and get a car now the cost for car insurance is alot,at least €2500 for a learner compared to a full licence holder,about €1700.

How can you base those figures without knowing the OP age, sex and size car they intend to buy?

Ever2010

Faith+1 wrote: »

How can you base those figures without knowing the OP age, sex and size car they intend to buy?

Just what I was thinking - I'm on a provisional on my own car and my insurance is €650!

Compton

im on provisional in my own car and cheapest is 2,100

desdman

shblob wrote: »

im on provisional in my own car and cheapest is 2,100

It's called discimination against male drivers on car insurance.

desdman

Faith+1 wrote: »

How can you base those figures without knowing the OP age, sex and size car they intend to buy?

I am on the presumption that the op is a male. And if the op is a female,then Lucky her but i would still advise him or her to continue with the driving lessons. This is where woman have the advantage over males in life i.e. car insurance costs.

**Timbuk2**

I combined lessons and practice. I probably wouldn't have passed without the practice. Doing practice, especially just small drives around town and whatnot, really boosts your experience and enables you to better handle any traffic situation that occurs.

RubyXI

Thanks everyone. Still not entirely sure what to do but i think it makes sense to get some practice. But there's good and bad to everything I guess

whatlliwear

Hi there,

I bought my first car 2 weeks ago. I had 7 lessons over a 2 month period & decided I needed a lot more practice. I thought I'd jump into the car & zoom off. Boy was I wrong. So I am tipping around quiet areas stopping & starting. Ok so far but man I am impatient. Fully comp insurance with bf as named driver was just €841!! Happy days!!

**Timbuk2**

€841 is quite good. What age and gender are you, if you don't mind me asking? (I'm an actuarial student, I have an interest in insurance premiums!).

I'm an 18y.o male, and I had to pay €999 as a named driver, fully comprehensive on my mother's car, with full licence (7 months since I passed my test). (I didn't make up that figure that's genuinely the premium ). Which is reasonable for an 18y.o. male - mysteriously dropped from €1,230 for last year - not sure why!