Get the most from your driving lessons in Durham!

Oct. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Gaining a full driving licence at first can seem expensive. Passing the ‘L’ test means you have reached the basic minimum standard permitted to be able drive by yourself. Remember that inexperienced drivers are at the highest risk of accident involving serious or fatal injury. I totally believe this as I personally was involved in a car accident within the first 12 months of passing my test. I, like thousands of others thought I was a better driver than I actually was in these early stages.

It is worth investing in quality tuition which will keep you safe on the road for the rest of your life. You should avoid falling into the trap of wanting to have as few lessons as possible at the cheapest price!

Older drivers are often shocked at the number of lessons it can take to pass the modern-day driving test, particularly if they are parents or guardians paying the bill.  DSA research has shown that on average a newly qualified driver will have had about 60 hours of driving experience, including some 45 hours professional tuition.

Driving is a skill which improves with practice and experience, but not everyone will master these skills at the same rate. Providing that you are receiving good instruction, you should not be worried if you take longer to learn than others.

You also shouldn’t feel pressurised into applying for a test before you are ready as you will be wasting your time and money. I take it upon myself to explain this to the person paying for the lessons so the young learner does not feel under pressure.

How often should I have driving lessons?

This will depend largely on your budget, time commitments and instructor availability.

The most effective method of learning is to have two or three lessons each week, with practice in between. As you have to pass the theory test before you can apply for the practical driving test, combining your lessons with your studies helps you prepare for both elements at the same time.

Some people do need to learn more quickly - for example if your job depends on having a driving licence.  In these situations I would suggest an intensive course leading up to a pre-booked practical test.  Before committing, however, it would be sensible for you to arrange for an assessment so that the instructor can establish if you are likely to be up to the required standard in time.

Even then, we need to bear in mind that learning to drive over a relatively short period can be stressful and tiring, so plenty of breaks are required. I tend to have a change and go over some theory training during these short breaks.

Remember that you will still have to pass the theory test first!



How much will it cost?

Whilst the cost of driving lessons in the north east will vary around the region, a quick scan of your local newspaper will show you that they can be found at remarkably low prices.  Beware – some driving schools can sometimes seem desperate to get your business, with offers of ridiculous cheap tuition and ‘free lesson’ deals.

Whilst some offers will be genuine promotions from successful training schools, consistently low prices may just reflect the quality of the tuition you will receive. Think about how much it costs to run a driving school – typically between £7 and £8 per lesson to cover fuel, insurance, servicing and depreciation. That’s just for the vehicle. If you are booking lessons at, say, 10 for £99, just how motivated is your instructor with earning less than £30 for 10 hours work? That’s less than the legal minimum wage!

The lead body in the profession, the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), suggests that, to earn an average wage, an instructor should be charging around £30 per hour. The reality is that you will pay less than this. Budget for between £18 and £24 per hour according to your home town. Choosing the wrong school because lessons are cheap, may cost you more in the long run.

So if you must ring round to compare schools, don’t just ask ‘How much are your lessons?’ Ask how long the lessons are, what vehicle is used and what the instructor’s pass rate is. Go for quality, not quantity.

Are you learning already?

If you are already learning to drive but are not quite sure about the quality of training you are receiving, ask yourself whether your instructor:

● gives an outline of the course;
● arrives on time for your lessons;
● behaves professionally;
● helps you with your studies for the theory test;
● recaps on your previous lesson;
● explains what you’re going to do at the start of lessons;
● explains things in simple and understandable terms;
● demonstrates when you don’t understand;
● assesses your progress and gives you feedback;
● praises you when you get things right;
● helps you to understand when you get things wrong;
● fills in your progress card or logbook for each lesson;
● allows you to ask questions without feeling awkward;
● tells you what to study before the next lesson;
● shows a real interest in your progress.

If you have a good instructor, you should have been able to answer yes to most of these questions. If you can’t, then you should try to discuss the problems. If you are offered no remedy, you should perhaps consider looking for another driving instructor.

Remember – it’s your money and your choice.

Dawson Straughan
07889 397535
jamesdawsonstraughan@gmail.com