Continue lessons or take a break?

carleigh

I'm currently taking driving lessons, I've had 9 so far (one a week) and I've been doing at least 3 practice lessons with my Dad in between each lesson. (I'm not doing the EDT as its my 2nd permit, I had lessons a couple of yrs ago). Things were going really well, but the last 5/6 lessons, I feel like I hav'nt learned a single thing! My instructor is bringing me on the same route every lesson, and I feel like I'm throwing my money away. I know that it takes time and practice, but I am doing all I can and I feel like I'm going nowhere. He told me 4 weeks ago to apply for my test (which I did) so I thought when I did that we might start doing reversing/turnabouts/parking etc, but no! And today he was contradicting previous instructions he has given me which totally confused me, as he said it was something I could fail my test over. Any advice? I didnt book a lesson for next week when I finished today because I was kinda annoyed I'm not getting anywhere!

Alanstrainor

You should this to him before booking the next lesson. You want to move on from your are doing at the minute and see what he says.

For someone not doing EDT it sounds a bit mad to me having not done any of those maneuvers OP. I would have thought you would have done them after maybe 4 lessons? I all depends on the driver of course, some will pick things up quickly and some not so much, but still.

carleigh

I've done reversing with my father since the first day I went out with him, and my instructor knows that, so I'm at a loss as to why he has not really shown me how to do them the 'right way', as it were, before I pick up any bad habits. And it was also himself that I had lessons from previously when I was on my first permit, so he knows I have the basics down, which is why I cant understand the lack of progress/direction from him. Its frustrating

Alanstrainor

carleigh wrote: »

I've done reversing with my father since the first day I went out with him, and my instructor knows that, so I'm at a loss as to why he has not really shown me how to do them the 'right way', as it were, before I pick up any bad habits. And it was also himself that I had lessons from previously when I was on my first permit, so he knows I have the basics down, which is why I cant understand the lack of progress/direction from him. Its frustrating

I think you should let him know this. Do you have a bunch of lessons booked with him already? Or are you doing them all separately? I'd ask him specifically to concentrate on reversing/turnabouts etc Be direct and polite. If he refuses then, i'd be telling him where to go.

gormixx

carleigh wrote: »

I've done reversing with my father since the first day I went out with him, and my instructor knows that, so I'm at a loss as to why he has not really shown me how to do them the 'right way', as it were, before I pick up any bad habits. And it was also himself that I had lessons from previously when I was on my first permit, so he knows I have the basics down, which is why I cant understand the lack of progress/direction from him. Its frustrating

I cannot believe this driving instructor did not show you reversing around the corner etc after nine or more lessons. At the end of the day it did not matter if your dad was showing you you were paying the instructor to teach you. To be honest I think if you keep going out with your dad practicing there is no need for anymore lessons. The instructor is just taking your money and happy to do so! It seems he does not care for your progression as a driver once he is getting paid.

In my opinion you have had enough lessons now and as you say you are happy with your driving so keep practicing with your dad and build up your confidence and you will pass your test

carleigh

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I think you should let him know this. Do you have a bunch of lessons booked with him already? Or are you doing them all separately? I'd ask him specifically to concentrate on reversing/turnabouts etc Be direct and polite. If he refuses then, i'd be telling him where to go.

I book my lessons week to week. I hope he doesnt feel like I'm not ready for doing manouvres, because I think I am. Even a change of route would mix it up a bit, but its the same places every time. I think I'll take a break from him for a few weeks, I'll have a new car by the end of next month, and hopefully a date for the test and plenty of practice, and maybe go back to him, and if we dont start getting somewhere, I'll give him the elbow!

ADIDriving

Good advice above. The strangest thing in my view is the your instructor has told you to apply for the test and not helped you with the turnabout or the reverse, which are part of the test. I do also hope that the routes you are still driving all the time are test routes.