Should I buy a car to practice in? Can lessons alone hold me back?

Mysteriouschic

Right I have been learning for about 3 years.
I've done all EDT lessons. I have no access to a car parents don't drive don't live at home now anyway. I always get busy have to start and stop the lessons but with no practise in between lessons. But it's got to the point where I can take off from where I left driving be able to drive well, like change gears, find biting point , right/left turns etc. I don't forget anything sometimes it's been longer 6 months only occasionally as been working or college or some other reason. I'm confident driving , I feel like I'm not progressing instructor tells me its the 3 point turn and reverse around corner I need to work on we don't always do that in the lesson . Keep getting told I'm not ready starting to think because taking so long I'm getting put off without realising. Now have few who said they go out with me help me drive if I have my own car all are fully licensed for years. Looking at getting a Toyota yaris or aygo on the provisional looked up quotes those were cheapest. Might get more lessons with a new instructor. Should I book test in advance aim to be ready by a certain time?

MascotDec85

If you can afford to buy it, tax it, insure it, put fuel in it and maintain it then buying a car should certainly help you pass your test quicker. It’s like anything, the more you’re doing something the easier it becomes.

MascotDec85

Strange though that if you’re told you need to work on the turnabout and reverse but don’t always do them. Ask your instructor for specific lessons on those 2 and see how you progress from there. Another instructor might take a more practical view on it.

colm_mcm

For the price of a very cheap car you could just get a bunch of lessons together and get the sticking points sorted and the full licence done with. Then look at whether you need a car.

Mysteriouschic

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Strange though that if you’re told you need to work on the turnabout and reverse but don’t always do them. Ask your instructor for specific lessons on those 2 and see how you progress from there. Another instructor might take a more practical view on it.

Usually says I need to get comfortable then next lesson it's the 3 point turn. But this happens all the time I'm always good at getting back into the driving I'm getting a bit fed up of lessons spending a lot. I have done a few block lessons and done some good 3 point turns then when I get lessons maybe few weeks later we don't always do them,

I'm thinking of a toyota Yaris or aygo , aygo I find cheaper quotes.

MascotDec85

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Usually says I need to get comfortable then next lesson it's the 3 point turn. But this happens all the time I'm always good at getting back into the driving I'm getting a bit fed up of lessons spending a lot. I have done a few block lessons and done some good 3 point turns then when I get lessons maybe few weeks later we don't always do them,

I'm thinking of a toyota Yaris or aygo , aygo I find cheaper quotes.

It sounds like there’s no real structure to your lessons.
One thing I’d say to you is make sure you know the steps needed to do it properly, in the right order, off by heart and prove to your ADI you can do it no bother. If you don’t have much joy, change.

Hana98

Honestly you do need a car to practice in. I was doing lessons without much practise because my mam's car needed insurance for me. The things you need practise for I wasn't getting it.
It could be an option to be a named driver on a friend's car and practise with them. Check out Aviva too because they do a package for insurance and lessons for a good price.

Old Perry

Hana98 wrote: »

Honestly you do need a car to practice in. I was doing lessons without much practise because my mam's car needed insurance for me. The things you need practise for I wasn't getting it.
It could be an option to be a named driver on a friend's car and practise with them. Check out Aviva too because they do a package for insurance and lessons for a good price.

Agreed. Once you've a head on your shoulders and a few miles behind ya ,driving yourself and spotting where your going wrong will stand to you far better than just following directions.

Having said that it's not always feasible in this country, you've your edt complete, instead of putting more money onto lessons why not just have a crack at the test as soon as?

uck51js9zml2yt

Just to remind you. If you get a car you can't legally drive on your own and your insurance will be invalid in the case of an accident.
Will you have a qualified driver to accompany you?

cruizer101

colm_mcm wrote: »

For the price of a very cheap car you could just get a bunch of lessons together and get the sticking points sorted and the full licence done with. Then look at whether you need a car.

Thing is they will be buying a car anyway once get license, the cost to be considered is more the difference in insurance, which could be significant to be fair. I still think it is a good idea to have your own car to learn in, unless you happen to be someone who will pick it up very quick.

MissShihTzu

Can lessons alone hold you back? Yes - if the instructor is no good! You have the option to change if you're not happy.

TBH - from the sounds of it, you don't sound nearly ready for a test if you cannot do a three point turn or reverse round the corner safely. I would look for another instructor first of all before you think about buying a car. Get some more lessons under your belt so that you feel comfortable.

You also need someone to sit with you whilst you practice. I think the law changed the beginning of the year, and the Gards are now beginning to crack down on unaccompanied drivers.

Mysteriouschic

Yeah I will have someone full licensed driver to help me. I have done a few good 3 point turns just thats the one I need to work on most after leaving a gap in lessons.
Also I'm nearly on my 3rd learners permit I know I can't get one unless I've sat a test might book one aim to attempt it by said date.

beatricebutrus

Another option would to get a friend to insure you on their car, even just for a short while. Different insurers have different rates and deals, and could depend on your age etc. I had done a few lessons and had some driving experience a few years ago, and just recently started from scratch with the EDT lessons. My instructor is great, I am learning tons, but felt the time to get some proper "road time" as I really want to do this properly and get the test done. My friend put me on her insurance for about 36e a month (Chill Insurance), which is way cheaper than getting a car. We worked out a calendar in advance and we get out at least once a week, even just to get her groceries. When researching this, I spotted that some companies can insure people for just a couple of days as well, so you could alternate between a couple of people.

drake70

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Yeah I will have someone full licensed driver to help me. I have done a few good 3 point turns just thats the one I need to work on most after leaving a gap in lessons.
Also I'm nearly on my 3rd learners permit I know I can't get one unless I've sat a test might book one aim to attempt it by said date.

Hi OP,

If you only apply for a test you can renew your learners permit for a year.
If you sit a test and fail, you can apply for a two year learners permit.

Mysteriouschic

Tried the new instructor today took me a while to adjust to a different car but after he did everything hill starts, turnabout and reverse around the corner learnt a lot with him.
He actually told me he thinks I was ripped off doing that many lessons nothing to show for it yet. Advised me I need a car to practice got told the opposite with the other.

Carney97

Ford fiesta is a great cat to learn in.
Diesels I find are too forgiving and too easy to drive.