As everyone is tightening their belts, the question is being asked - 'Is learning to drive a necessity or an unnecessary extravagance?'
There is no way to learn to drive on the cheap. Skimp with your lessons, get a bit of practice with your family and scrape through the test, may seem to be the only way forward. But it's one fraught with problems and dangers. A full course of lessons with a qualified driving instructor should prepare you for 'safe driving for life'. You may be able to scrape through your test with just a few lessons and a load of practice, but will it equip you for a lifetime of driving? The number of accidents suffered by newly qualified drivers is already high. The cost of an accident will make the cost of a few extra lessons seem very small. Skimping on lessons can only increase this problem.
What you need to do is not skimp on your lessons but rather make the most of them:
1. Don't go with the cheapest driving school in town. Their prices are low for a reason
2. Think about what you've learnt between lessons. This is my NUMBER ONE TOP TIP. Too many pupils get in the car with very little idea of what they did last week. Driving the car requires control and handling skills, but it also needs knowledge and understanding.
3. Don't take your test till you're ready - it's a false economy. The pass rate of 44% means most people are failing the test. One of the primary reasons is that many pupils take the test when they're just not quite ready. The driving test costs £56.50. By the time you've added on the use of the driving school car, you're talking about a cost of over £100 a go. So you want to be fully trained and ready before you take the test.
4. Get extra practice. Some extra practice with Mum or Dad where you put into practice what you've learned with your instructor can be very valuable.
5. Take the Pass Plus course (often subsidised by local councils) when you've passed your test to make you a safer driver and cut your insurance premiums.
Information about learning to drive at Wanadrive
