Lessons without practice between

Freiheit

Hi all had 7 lessons and while I did progress the tutor doesn't think there's any point in continuing as I don't have a care and can't practice. Said most of her pupils would have advanced faster,but most practice between.

Has anyone here taken lessons without having access to a car and did they make much progress?.

Situation is complicated by the fact that I'm near a bus stop and don't need a car but I'd like to have to ability to drive so as to give me choice in the future. I'm not willing to invest now and in any event don't have anyone who would accompany me.

DazMarz

Hate to be harsh, but taking driving lessons without practicing in between and not having access to a car is pretty pointless.

This was the subject of a blazing row between myself and my parents back when I was starting to drive; I was shelling out a fortune to get driving lessons (had paid for a block session of 10 lessons) but they flat refused to allow me to be insured on their car, and I simply didn't have money to buy my own car. I even dragged my driving instructor into the house one day to let him tell them how pointless my getting lessons without practice in between was. They finally relented, and I got my own car shortly after anyway.

Getting lessons and not having access to a car is not a good thing. It will be a waste of money mostly, as the chances of passing a driving test on the back of lessons only and little/no solo practice will be slim to nil. You'll never have experienced driving without your instructor. In the test, not only will you not have someone who'll tell you what to do and so on, this person will be watching your every move and will crucify you for mistakes.

My advice; get a car or get access to a car or stop lessons.

Birdie086

I have to agree, i started lessons last June, and although I had a car I had nobody to take me out between lessons, by the time I got to my sixth lesson my progress was ok but my instructor insisted is get some practise outise of lessons. In the end I got my brother to take me out out twice and then I got really early in the morning and got in prqactise while the roads were quiet, my driving came on in leaps and bounds really quickly, havent had a lesson since. Your instructor knows what he/she is talking about!

scoobymunster

Load of BS. I never had a car when I was learning to drive and I passed first time after I think about 12? lessons or something like that. Plenty of people have passed with only driving experience being in instructors car. If it's gonna be the car you do your test in it makes sense that you learn how to do all your manoeuvres in it as your spatial awareness will be geared solely to the dimensions of that car. The cost of buying a car/insurance could get you plenty of extra lessons so don't rush it! I passed 7-8 years ago in a fiesta, now driving a big pickup and have never had an accident/dent since I got my license:D

MascotDec85

I have to say I disagree with your instructor. It is your prerogative if you want to learn to drive using her exclusively and don't have a car to practice in. Not everyone has that luxury, I know I didn't and I passed first time having had 16 hrs of lessons including the lesson prior to my test.

Having a car to practice on between lessons can and usually is a great help but to say it's absolutely necessary simply isn't true.

I can't believe your instructor has turned round and said there's no point in continuing (I don't disbelieve the OP). It sounds as if she can't be bothered putting in the effort to get you to progress. I'd be changing instructor if I were you!!

Wishbone Ash

I wouldn't agree with your instructor. Sounds like she may be covering for her own shortcomings. The vast majority of those who do lessons in trucks and buses pass the test without having anyopportunity to practise in between. You're much less likely to pick up bad habits.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

I'm actually very similar to yourself, OP.

I got my first lesson (two hour) on Thursday. Will do another two hours this Thursday. I have no access to a car in the mean time (well, I could argue and fight with my brother and eventually get him to take me out, but it's a lot of hassle).

Truth be told, much like yourself, I've no actual need for a car. Top that off with the fact that I've never really cared about driving or ever had that 'want' to learn that most people do, and I'm probably not the best student in the world.


The only reason I'm really doing it, is because I know it will just become more and more expensive to do the lessons/test as time goes on, and there'll be tougher and tougher rules and restrictions brought in, so I'm really just trying to get it all out of the way sooner rather than later when it may cost me a tad less.



Anyway, more on topic, I know about two people that passed tests with little to no practice outside of their lessons. I'd say it's rarer that people have no practice outside the lesson, but at the same time I don't think it would be a major hindrance.

ADIDriving

A ridiculous statement from your instructor. It is much easier to pass when getting lots of practice mixed in with the lessons. But any good instructor that has been doing the job for long enough will have helped learner without cars pass their test.

thesimpsons

to be honest I'd be frightened of having someone on the road with a licence who has little or no real experience of driving. most other jobs the world over require you to use your skills regularly and/or be retested on a regular basis to ensure your skills are up to date. I know so many people who drive once or twice a year and think they are fine drivers but really they are a major liability on the roads as they loose their skills in determining distance, speed of themselves and approaching vehicles, awareness of the multitude of hazards there are when out driving. Driving a car is like holding a loaded gun.

Wishbone Ash

thesimpsons wrote: »

to be honest I'd be frightened of having someone on the road with a licence who has little or no real experience of driving. most other jobs the world over require you to use your skills regularly and/or be retested on a regular basis to ensure your skills are up to date. I know so many people who drive once or twice a year and think they are fine drivers but really they are a major liability on the roads as they loose their skills in determining distance, speed of themselves and approaching vehicles, awareness of the multitude of hazards there are when out driving. Driving a car is like holding a loaded gun.

Being experienced doesn't always make a good driver. Learning from experience does.

Taxi drivers are on the road much more than the average driver but most of them have very poor driving skills.

Freiheit

Hi again all. If I was to buy a (cheap) car,other than the purchase price what would the costs involved be?. Insurance and taxation? petrol?Also I've a parent with a full licence but no longer insurance,would she need to renew her insurance,or get one for my car separately to me?.

I'm actually in my early 30's,so a late vocation to the steering wheel,any idea what costs are likely to be?.

I simply need practice if ever I'm to aspire to a full licence.

Thanks

MascotDec85

Freiheit wrote: »

Hi again all. If I was to buy a (cheap) car,other than the purchase price what would the costs involved be?. Insurance and taxation? petrol?Also I've a parent with a full licence but no longer insurance,would she need to renew her insurance,or get one for my car separately to me?.

I'm actually in my early 30's,so a late vocation to the steering wheel,any idea what costs are likely to be?.

I simply need practice if ever I'm to aspire to a full licence.

Thanks

Insurance (your parent could go as a named driver on your policy, no need for their own policy, would probably bring your premium down)
Tax
Fuel
Servicing
Tyres
NCT if required

Fuinseog

Freiheit wrote: »

Hi all had 7 lessons and while I did progress the tutor doesn't think there's any point in continuing as I don't have a care and can't practice. Said most of her pupils would have advanced faster,but most practice between.

Has anyone here taken lessons without having access to a car and did they make much progress?.

Situation is complicated by the fact that I'm near a bus stop and don't need a car but I'd like to have to ability to drive so as to give me choice in the future. I'm not willing to invest now and in any event don't have anyone who would accompany me.

lessons cost a lot and without the practice in between you are throwing money away. you need to get the feel for the car and this takes hours.

markpb

I just passed my test last week. I did 10 lessons two years ago in an instructors car, failed my test in Finglas and forgot about it (I'm very lazy ). In November and December last year, I did another 10 lessons in a different instructors car and passed my test in Churchtown last week.

Yes, having access to a car would be a help but it's not necessarily a pre-requisite.