So how many lessons WILL you need?
There is a rule of thumb that on average a learner will need one and a half hours of tuition for every year of his or her age. This may work for you, but if you're not "average", you might learn faster or slower than this. In reality, the number of lessons you will need will depend on five factors:
1, The qualities of your driving instructor ....An instructor who develops a good rapport with you, and finds the most effective way for you to learn, will help you reach the appropriate standard of driving quicker than an instructor who does not.
2, Your age ....Although one's interest in learning may actually increase with age, unfortunately one's ability to absorb a new skill probably tends to decrease. However driving is a skill that can in time be acquired by just about everyone, whatever their age.
3, Your natural aptitude for driving ....The skills needed for driving are inherent in our make-up to a greater or lesser extent, just as some people are "better" than others at, for example, crossword puzzles, languages or sport. It might take you longer to learn to drive than your friends or relatives, but this is nothing to be ashamed of. Indeed, the more time you have to gain driving experience with a good instructor, the better a driver you will probably be.
4, Your previous experience of being driven and/or of driving ....Even if you have never driven before, it is likely that you have been in a car driven by somebody else. The way that person drove may have a significant influence on the way you drive, as humans learn naturally just by observing someone else's actions. You may have watched a "good" performance which may help you make rapid progress with your lessons; or you might have watched a "poor" performance, which may involve your instructor in spending more time guiding you towards a better way!If you have previous experience, either of driving a car on private land, or better still, of riding a moped on the road, this may well reduce the number of lessons you will need.
5, Any other driving you will be doing outside your driving lessons ....In general, the more experience of driving you get, the quicker you will learn. So if you have the opportunity to drive legally with relatives or friends, take it. You should note however, that if you have never driven before, it is best to delay any extra driving until you have sufficient skills to control a car with minimal assistance, and have enough knowledge and judgement to get around safely.
If your supervisor is more nervous than you are, has no clear idea about how to provide guidance, and has no dual controls to rescue you with, you will realise the pitfalls of this extra experience.
Extra driving sessions normally work best if you can be accompanied by someone who is relaxed enough to let you get on with your driving, with minimal "assistance" unless you require it. For this to work, YOU need to have a clear idea about what you should be doing, and hopefully you will be getting this from your official lessons.If you would like more information please visit
1st Call Driving Schools main site
Congratulations to Emma James from Manchester who passed her test at Garston Driving Test Centre on 07/02/08. Emma passed her test 1st time and is currently studying Psychology at Liverpool University.
