Driving lessons

RS2MATRIX · Spanner Monkey Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

I had my first driving lesson today and i think i took to it quite well, did quite a few basic things, cornering, junctions, stopping and moving etc. did a few a-roads and varying traffic and the instructor was pleased with how im getting on.

I dont want to seem like an obnoxious twat by asking him, but how many lessons do you think i could pass in? Im hoping minimal tbh, i have road sense from the bike and lots of road awareness, again from the bike, so all it is - is basically learn to handle the car and do the manoevuers. What were everyone elses experiences? Nick Smile

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NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

I took my car test at 33 having ridden constantly since I was 18, and it was just a matter of getting used to the dimensions and controls of a car, and I assume if you've been riding for a while it should all come pretty quickly for you.

On my first lesson there was a bus on the opposite side of the road hiding a side street, and as it pulled up I saw the back end of a car disappear behind it and just knew that it would pull out.... It did, and I beat the instructor on the brakes. He just turned to me and said 'this should be a piece of piss'. You can teach someone how to make a car go and stop in no time, but roadsense and observation take ages to develop.... If you've already got that you're laughing.
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AC · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Karma :

why dont you ask the instructor how many lessons he reckons you will need? he is the only one who has seen your driving so really the only one who can comment about you. all the rest of us can do is give you an idea of how long it took us to learn to drive Very Happy

BTW i took about 18-20 lessons when i was 17, had never ridden a bike at that point either.

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

At the moment I have a girl who is almost test ready after only 18 hours, just learning a bit more judgement, and a lad who has done over 400 hours and still has problems with the basics.
I have found though that those who have ridden bikes for a while are the easiest to teach and take fewer hours.
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Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I took and passed my test after ten lessons. Instructer was not happy.
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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I did mine in 95. Same test as they do now but without the theory.
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trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

Im currently toying with the idea of taking my test with just some pointers from my old man.

Spent most of the last 5 years moving my mum and dads car out of the way to get the bike out so im a dab hand at uphill reverse parking from a back street in to a yard Laughing

and been riding for nearly 5 years now.

Okay then maybe just one or two lessons then Mr. Green

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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

RS2MATRIX · Spanner Monkey Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

thats made me feel better. Skudd, i take it you are an instructor . where are you based? The only thing that got to me a bit was those two great obstructions of pillards holding the thing together by the windscreen, no idea what they are called but it just seemed a bit odd due to having all the visibility on the bike. Im feeling confident after my first lesson though and hope that things will progress quickly Smile

thanks all
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Reiju RS2 Matrix
Kawasaki ZXR400

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

I did 3 lessons after a year on a bike. Wink

RS2MATRIX · Spanner Monkey Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Karma :

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

RealNinja · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Karma :

I passed my car test exactly 2 months after my first lesson (birthday), having had 8 lessons.

I was told to put in for my test after the first lesson, this is not a boast, but the instructor said it made you more goal focussed.

Worked for my bike test too Thumbs Up

but not the first time

Laughing

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Jrod · Page 3 Girl Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

D O G · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Karma :

5 lessons, and passed 5 months after my 17th birthday.

I did do a lot of 'practice' in the folk's car though - I used to drive everywhere I could. Must have been doing 5-6 hours a week, then just did a handful of lessons to get some test specific instruction.

If you can ride a bike, you can drive a car, you should have the road sense. It is just a matter of being comfortable with the controls and learning the maneuvers (sp?).

Put in for your test now, you know you want to....

Mr Hammers · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Karma :

Only had three lessons, and that was mainly to learn how to pass the test than drive a car, as I'd already been driving my own car for months beforehand Embarassed

(in my stupid days...)

One thing I always insisted upon, and that was that he took the big silly Learner triangle thing off the roof. I hated it. He didn't like it, but I refused to go anywhere with it on.
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matt_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Karma :

One year on a bike, then passed test in 2 months, with 7 one hour lessons and a 2 hour before the test.

Being on a bike before, makes you so much more aware.
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- - - BIKE - - - Passed CBT : 21/07/06 - - - Currently : Riding a 2001 Aprilia rs125 (SOLD)
- - - CAR - - - Passed Theory 20/07/06 - - - Lessons, Test on 15th Jan 08... Passed 2 minors

Suitor_Stu · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Karma :

Not to brag, but I passed first time - 3 months after my 17th bday and after 6 lessons having never driven a car or scooter on the road before so it's possible!

It's really not rocket science, you just need to actually listen to what they want you to do - you can't learn road-craft from the lessons though, you need experience for that which you have. My goal was to pass ASAP then get the experience myself. Having said that, most of the people I know who failed, failed because of one of the techniques.

3 other friends of mine who went to the same instructor all passed first time within 3-4 months of turning 17 and also with a similar amount of lessons, so maybe he was just a really good tutor...

Stu