Learning to drive with no practice

Lapis Luzali

Im thinking about starting driving lessons but wont have the option of practicing my driving inbetween lessons. Im just wondering if it would be worth my while as the lessons are only 1 hour once a week for 12 weeks.

Is it possible to effectively learn from scratch without driving practice outside lessons?

Mint Sauce

Lapis Luzali wrote: »

Im thinking about starting driving lessons but wont have the option of practicing my driving inbetween lessons. Im just wondering if it would be worth my while as the lessons are only 1 hour once a week for 12 weeks.

Is it possible to effectively learn from scratch without driving practice outside lessons?

It would have been very possible before some of the changes to how you obtained your lessons/licence.

Unfortunately not possible any more, due to them very changes, as you now have to keep a diary, and a named mentor, listing your practice outside of your minimum number of lessons.

Also, the minimum time you can hold your learner permit, before doing your test Is 6 months. Way over your 12 weeks.

Mint Sauce

Mint Sauce wrote: »

It would have been very possible before some of the changes to how you obtained your lessons/licence.

Unfortunately not possible any more, due to them very changes, as you now have to keep a diary, and a named mentor, listing your practice outside of your minimum number of lessons.

Also, the minimum time you can hold your learner permit, before doing your test Is 6 months. Way over your 12 weeks.

Just on the diary. I was mentor for my niece.and we filled out the diary with all our practice. The instructor used to look at but said she didn't need to bring it to the test. She brought it anyway but it was never checked. So technically you could just make it up.

Possible to pass the test with just twelve lessons? Yes. But if you are starting from scratch the chances are extremely low. In my experience even though my niece picked up all the skills necessary very quickly starting from scratch lack of confidence was leading to lots of mistakes. It was only gained through several hours of practice each week around the town.

dennyk

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Unfortunately not possible any more, due to them very changes, as you now have to keep a diary, and a named mentor, listing your practice outside of your minimum number of lessons.

While the RSA strongly recommends having a sponsor and practicing with them outside of the normal lessons, it is not actually a requirement for the EDT lessons or to sit the test. Legally you can simply pass the theory test, obtain your permit, take the 12 EDT lessons, wait the six months, and take the driving test; you don't have to practice at all outside your 12 required EDT lessons or even have a sponsor at all. Of course, it's probably not likely that you'd pass said test with that little experience, but you are allowed to give it a go.

Some ADIs might also refuse to give the next lesson in the EDT syllabus if they feel your skills are not sufficient due to your lack of practice; they can't refuse to "sign off" on a lesson they've already given you, as there's no "pass" or "fail" for lessons, but they can refuse to continue your EDT lessons going forward until you've had more practice and your standard of driving is where it needs to be.

Mint Sauce

Did not know that. Thought the way the Mentor/Diary was being promoted, it was infact compulsory.

MascotDec85

It’s entirely possible to pass but in reality you’re looking at taking more than 12 lessons. I regularly have pupils passing the test who have no insurance on a car and therefore no practice away from myself.
This method is still generally cheaper than paying for named insurance which could cost you €1500+ on top of the cost of your lessons. You’d also potentially pick up less bad habits.

MissShihTzu

Perfectly possible. That's how I and practically anyone else I know learnt to drive in London where I am from. It might take longer than someone with the ability to practice (with a qualified driver!). Or not -Like anything else, people learn at different paces.

Good luck!

Rachiee

I've tried it failed 4 times I'd just wait til you can afford your own car it's possible but very very hard to pass without driving regularly. I've given up now waiting til I can get my own to practice between lessons

MascotDec85

Rachiee wrote: »

I've tried it failed 4 times I'd just wait til you can afford your own car it's possible but very very hard to pass without driving regularly. I've given up now waiting til I can get my own to practice between lessons

What do you think caused that to happen? Did you feel test ready? Did nerves play a big part? Did you go into it/them “giving it a shot” hoping to pass?
If my pupils aren’t ready for test I advise them to cancel it and reschedule giving them more time to prepare. They almost always take my advice.
Like the person above, I passed in Glasgow. No practice on the roads, just lessons with my instructor. Passed first time. It’s the way it’s done in the UK. My advice would be to find a good ADI who’ll be straight with you and keep going. You CAN do it!

bpmurray

I think Ireland is the only country where a learner can drive without a qualified instructor. All over Europe the only possible way to learn is lessons followed by the test. I did mine in Denmark this way, and there are others here who did theirs in the UK. So yes, it's absolutely possible to do. In fact, given some of the odd behaviours on the road, you're probably better off not learning things that'll cause you to fail.

MascotDec85

bpmurray wrote: »

I think Ireland is the only country where a learner can drive without a qualified instructor. All over Europe the only possible way to learn is lessons followed by the test. I did mine in Denmark this way, and there are others here who did theirs in the UK. So yes, it's absolutely possible to do. In fact, given some of the odd behaviours on the road, you're probably better off not learning things that'll cause you to fail.

In the UK it’s also possible to practice without an ADI but with a full licence holder who’s had it for at least 2 years and is at least 21.

Sciprio

That's what i done a few years back. While i knew how to drive in theory, i had never had my own car and all my practice was done with just lessons and i managed to get my full licence but i also got way more then 12 lessons because that's what i wanted and wanted experience. I paid a lot of money but now that it's all done, i would say it was worth it.


Take as many as you feel you need then book your test and don't worry if you fail just use it to see on where you need to improve but who knows people have past before on just lessons on the first go.