Obtain a car or wait?

VampiricPadraig

Hey everyone.

Recently passed my theory test and submitted the Learners Permit on Friday to the NDLS so I should have that next week.

I was looking at some of the YouTube videos by the RSA and they were saying that I should do a lesson every 2 weeks and practise in between.

So my question is, should I get a car before/after my first lesson or wait until near the end of the 12 lessons?

Dravokivich

Do you have someone you can drive with, who can put you as a named driver on their insurance? It'd be much cheaper to do that, as getting insurance as a learner will be rather expensive.

VampiricPadraig

Yes, I could get someone to be the sponsor and then ask to put me down as a named driver but then again, they may not always be around to accompany me for practising.

Sue Pa Key Pa

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

Yes, I could get someone to be the sponsor and then ask to put me down as a named driver but then again, they may not always be around to accompany me for practising.

That's called fronting and is illegal. Also, somebody will always have to accompany you until you pass your test. Gardai are coming down hard on this now

dev100

VampiricPadraig wrote:

Recently passed my theory test and submitted the Learners Permit on Friday to the NDLS so I should have that next week.]I was looking at some of the YouTube videos by the RSA and they were saying that I should do a lesson every 2 weeks and practise in between. So my question is, should I get a car before/after my first lesson or wait until near the end of the 12 lessons?

Your going to need a full licensed driver with you at all times when you have a learner permit . Depending on your specifics you will loaded accordingly. If it were me and i had access to a family car and relative to allow you on their insurance id be going that way I'd even give them the money to pay for it . I wouldn't spend money on a car or my own insurance until id have the full license. I'd spend my money on getting as many lessons as it takes to be ready for the test and once that's done, I'd go look for a car and my own insurance.

It's not worth driving unaccompanied anymore nearly everyone done it in the past. The penalties are to great now to chance it .

VampiricPadraig

Sue Pa Key Pa wrote: »

That's called fronting and is illegal. Also, somebody will always have to accompany you until you pass your test. Gardai are coming down hard on this now

dev100 wrote: »

It's not worth driving unaccompanied anymore nearly everyone done it in the past. The penalties are to great now to chance it .

Nonononono. I am not looking to do fronting or anything.
I have a friend that is willing to become a sponsor and I can ask them to see if I can become a named driver on their insurance and practise in their car with them.

I am not trying looking to drive the car unattended.
I only wanted to know if I should get my own car to practise in as the sponsor maybe unavailable and I may need to get another sponsor to accompany me for practise sessions.

Sorry if that wasn't clear in my previous post.

beechwood55

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

I only wanted to know if I should get my own car to practise in as the sponsor maybe unavailable and I may need to get another sponsor to accompany me for practise sessions.

How much money do you have? Have you enough to buy a reasonably new car (maybe 2009 upwards) and then enough to insure it?

VampiricPadraig

beechwood55 wrote: »

How much money do you have? Have you enough to buy a reasonably new car (maybe 2009 upwards) and then enough to insure it?

Given the average price of a 2009 car on DoneDeal and approx €2K for insurance, I could do it.

I was thinking of going with an 03 Corsa that a friend is selling for practise sessions and do the EDT lessons in the ADI's car, but then again prices for insurance and that could be steep, so I am not really sure

beechwood55

We are with Aviva. My son enquired about getting his own car. He has a full licence. He was told that they will not insure him on a car that is over 10 years old.

thesimpsons

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

Given the average price of a 2009 car on DoneDeal and approx €2K for insurance, I could do it.

I was thinking of going with an 03 Corsa that a friend is selling for practise sessions and do the EDT lessons in the ADI's car, but then again prices for insurance and that could be steep, so I am not really sure

check insurance companies first if they will insure the 03 car - some won't on a 10 yr old car unless it has been on their books for a few years.

If you do buy and insure a car, do the ADI lessons in that car so you are will be well used to driving it. My advice - get yourself insured on a family member car and practise as much as possible. Every time ye are going out anywhere, you do the driving. Until you pass the test (and remember, even if you pass first time, its at least 6 months away) get loads of practice driving done. When you pass - go car and insurance hunting then. There is a huge temptation if you have your own car and still on L plates, that once you get reasonable confident, you head out driving without the sponsor. I've see it happen so many times.

VampiricPadraig

Thanks everyone for the input. Really appreciate it

Waiting to hear back from an ADI about lessons, so lets hope I start soon-ish