Learning To Drive

[thepheebster]

I had driving lessons last year but never took my test. So I know how to drive, but I'm really crap at it. I'm thinking of buying a car to practice in. What's the deal with learning to drive in your own car? Obviously I'll need somebody with me, but are there any rules about the person that's with me? I hear they have to be over 21 is this true? And anything else?

[Mattk]

they have to hold a full license of course and be careful in your choice of car as insurance will be astronomical !

[KebabMeister]

Think they must have held a licence for 3 or 4 years before instructing?

[sddsddean]

The person supervising the learner must be over 21 and have held a full driving licence for 3 years or more. They must also be competent to drive whilst supervising.eg must not be (legally) drunk.

[woofgang]

not sure what your definition of "crap" is but it scares the crap out of me to see and share the road with learners being taught in cars without dual controls!!!

[mattie]

Before you can consider venturing out on the road, you need to be confident in controlling the car.

I did this when I was nine years old, sat in my dad's car and practiced changing gear, turning on lights, indicators etc with the engine off while looking out the windscreen until I could do it blindfold.

Only when you are comfortable with the above will you be able to drive on the road.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot drive to save their lives, hopefully you aren't one of them, and just need practice.

[brian5]

It is actually a very bad Idea, firstly the person you have sitting next to you is not a qualified driving Instructor,, then even if he only sat his test, 3 years ago, regulations and test criteria have changed since then, also, as stated in an earlier post, there are no dual controls, meaning that if you really are crap and make a big mistake, then only the handbrake is available to the "instructor", in order to stop the vehicle, but before you even get ther, you wil find that the insurance costs will forbad you from even thinking aobut buying your own car without a full Liscense, the "instructor " will more thna likley have to be included on the policy, which yet again will increase the cost, then if you do actually have an accident while learning in it, forget gettnig Insurance when or if you ever pass the test.

If you must use a friend as an instructor, and want to cut costs, then it is possible to hire a car with dual controls, where insurance will be part of the hire price, here in Scotland Arnold Clark do this.