Learning to Drive

[Jaiisun]

I'm planning to apply for my provisional now (I'll apply on Friday when I get paid!).

Does anybody have any tips on lessons or anything else? I'm pretty nervous, but I really want to get driving. So, if you'd help me out, I'll love you forever!

Also, how long do you think it will take for me to be sufficiently experienced to take (and pass!) my test? Obviously, it varies, but... roughly? How long did it take you?

Jay xo

[scottish]

Roughly 15-20 lessons imho.

[Nixt]

It took me roughly five months to pass. My best advice would be not to panic, if you do that more things go wrong. So be confident and calm and listen to your instructor, and you will be fine :D.

[Jaiisun]

Thanks guys!

I'm really excited... but I can't have my first lesson until April 30th! Plus, when do you think I should book my theory?

[Nixt]

Thanks guys!

I'm really excited... but I can't have my first lesson until April 30th! Plus, when do you think I should book my theory?


Get a book and revise. Take a few driving lessons first, as you get to know the signs etc better. Then whenever you are confident you can pass (you can do mock tests etc online so practice with them first).

[scottish]

also remember when booking the tests theres a waiting period. (usually 1-3 weeks for theory)

also why 30th april? :O

[Jaiisun]

Without doing any practice, I just did a mock online theory test (through the DSA site) and got 37 out of 50 - it's a fail, but it's only 6 off the pass mark of 43!

April 30th because it's my 17th birthday... you can't have lessons until you're 17... can you? You can apply for your provisional up to 3 months before your 17th birthday.

[scottish]

ah i thought you were already 17 :P

on the theory test you need to do a Hazard perception test aswell (75 marks possible) :P

[joshuar]

Took me a year, but I could drive properly for like 3-4 months before I passed my test, I just cracked under the pressure and the waiting list for practical is long as.

[Immenseman]

I'm 17 next week, already had one lesson (off-road centre). Even after that first hour I felt like I was picking it up already :D

[scottish]

I'm 17 next week, already had one lesson (off-road centre). Even after that first hour I felt like I was picking it up already :D

..... then you crashed

anyways gd luck to both of you :P

[AJKHoosier1]

what? are people these days wasting ~$500 ish on driving lessons? I feel sorry for those people.

got my license first try (after a little reading of course) and to my parents astonishment, because I took no lessons.

but I am in Canada, so it might be a little different.

[Cyndia]

what? are people these days wasting ~$500 ish on driving lessons? I feel sorry for those people.

got my license first try (after a little reading of course) and to my parents astonishment, because I took no lessons.

but I am in Canada, so it might be a little different.

Haha you sound like me. I think the US might be set up differently than the UK, but for us we take a written test for the permit/provisional (one part is 30q's on signs, miss one and you fail) the second part is just random questions (i can't remember how many, but I you could get a couple wrong on this and pass). They had a prep handbook that I got offline and just read through two or three times, with studying the signs the most, then took the test and got a perfect on all parts :)

Then for the license, I just had to have my permit for 9 months, then take and pass a 'behind-the-wheel' class. You're supposed to drive for 40 hours of practice before the class and keep a log. I drove maybe a total of 1 hour, made up my logs, and passed behind the wheel on my first try. Haha, though I did bump a rail on my test day and almost failed, but my instructor liked me and gave me the license anyway.

[Tristan]

Your birthday's in April and you're wondering when you should book your theory?

:blue_doub

[Jord]

I dont know how to drive but It should be alot of lessons but be calm about it,
Keep your cool infront of the instrucktor

[TAYLOOOOR1]

i want to apply for my provissional 3 mnths b4 my 17th (H)

Goodluck Jay xo

[lew!]

You can always practise in places like ASDA carparks on a sunday when its empty, You can be any age too because its private land so police cant arrest you or whoever etc.
Only way is if the ASDA manager came out and said can you go away lol.

[Zak]

20-30 lessons

[tdi]

You can always practise in places like ASDA carparks on a sunday when its empty, You can be any age too because its private land so police cant arrest you or whoever etc.
Only way is if the ASDA manager came out and said can you go away lol.
no, because in said carparks you have to obey the law of the road as is usually part of company policy. plus, if you crashed into another car or a pedestrian you'd be screwed.

i passed in 10 hours due to a good instructor and a general knowledge of driving (due to driving alot on a farm etc)

[Zak]

took me ages to learn to drive so amybe you shouldn't listen to me

[sammyspam]

Practice driving around in carparks to start and then out on the roads as much as possible so that you face different scenarios and know how to re-act to each one. This way when unexpected things happen during a lesson or test(dont know if you have to do one?) you will not panic.

Here in Australia i passed mine in 5 lessons, but im unsure what you have to do where you live.

[Cysne]

I passed within 20 hours worth of lessons, no prior driving experiance. Just go with it, what ever happens you'll eventually pass.

[Ali]

i see driving as a skill really imo.
like some people are really good and have their test a couple of months after starting their lessons whereas others take longer.
despite this, anyone can try it so im sure you willl be fine :)
xoxo.