Doing Driving lessons in Dublin

DublinSpark

Hi, Ive had 5 lessons so far and 2 weeks ago had to stop due to the snow. I'm dying to get back but my instructor says that its not yet safe on the secondary roads like in housing estates and thats I wouldnt get full benefit from the lessons by only staying on major roads. My friend who is taking lessons with one of the big national schools told me she HAD to take lessons last week. She seems to be at much the same level as me. Should i insist on doing lessons again or just trust my instructor?

**Timbuk2**

Your instructor is right! You wouldn't get any benefit from staying on main roads - they don't develop your skills as much, as it is just one aspect of driving, and not the most difficult aspect of it! Your test doesn't take place solely on main roads.

All that aside, it is dangerous as well! Even main roads can have patches of black ice, etc. I've only driven on ice/snow a handful of times, but it's not easy and a learner may find it difficult.

I had the same issue last year, during the so called "cold snap" (which arguably wasn't as bad as this year's, but lasted quite a while!) - many of my lessons were postponed. It's not a big deal, you'll be back on the road in no time!

ADIDriving

I would trust your instructor. They would probably like to be out driving with you as it pays their wages. Your friends instructor may have been too desperate to get back out. It depends on several factors. Yes, your skill levelis one. Exactly where you are is another. Southside Dublin still has lots of snow and ice, northside is getting reasonable clear. The time of day when you want to do a lesson will also determin the conditions. The housing estates are generally very bad and the main roads are generally clear. But driving main roads is also something you need to do. The weather has improved again, give them another call.

greyc

DublinSpark wrote: »

Hi, My friend who is taking lessons with one of the big national schools told me she HAD to take lessons last week.

I know we can't name and shame rogue instructors or driving schools on this forum, but I bet I know which school you're talking about, <SNIP>
A friend of mine was taking lessons with them at the time of the snow last Jan, and they insisted on going out in the worst conditions, and if you refused they charged for the lesson. They also charge €55 per hour,why anyone would go to them is beyond me.

Alanstrainor

greyc wrote: »

I know we can't name and shame rogue instructors or driving schools on this forum, but I bet I know which school you're talking about, <SNIP>

Warning given.
You may not have given the name of the driving school, but giving obvious hints to who the driving school is, as a way to get around the charter, will not be tolerated.

ADIDriving

Only noticed the HAD in caps now, along with what the other poster said. That is terrible. Allowing a student to drive in a restriced and controlled way in bad weather if they are good enough and would benifit from the experience is ok. Doing pre-test lessons is often needed as the RSA don't give enough warning of cancelations (as in days ahead).
Forcing a learner to drive in those conditions is very, very wrong. They should be reported to the RSA. Your friend should get a refund and an appology. That would also be a refund for the remaining set of lessons that they probably paid for, which they should not do.
Is their a place where dangerous and immoral companies can be named and shamed by those posters.

Alanstrainor

ADIDriving wrote: »

Is their a place where dangerous and immoral companies can be named and shamed by those posters.

I don't really want to drag this thread off topic, but i feel it's worth answering this.

Boards.ie is a private company, and posting such claims about named driving schools etc opens boards to libel claims from any companies involved. Hence the rule.

mdric

Hi. Can anyone recommend a driving instructor in South Dublin? Thanks

Craftylee

Holy bump "09-12-2010, 23:32"

Try using the thread:

Searching for a driving instructor? Post here *READ FIRST POST BEFORE POSTING*

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055529095