Harder now than it ever was. (Learning to Drive)

Member Name: CokaCola

Product:	Learning to Drive
Date:	13/08/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No need to rely on others - freedom!

Disadvantages: Expensive.

As big a fan as I am of our environment and looking after our planet, I really do think that driving is essential these days. I mean I remember when I was bit younger having to rely on lifts from others, and on public transport - and it really is a complete pain, often totally unreliable (Unless you want to live your life in Central London where public transport seems to be rather good).

Learning to drive these days is hard, with lessons and tests proving to be very expensive (potentially thousands) and with Insurance for younger drivers costing around the same amount, you really have to be dedicated, otherwise you will end up wasting money on a few lessons and find that you have to take a long break until you can put enough money aside to continue.

Not only is it expensive, but driving is hard these days. My mum was telling me that when she learnt to drive, at big roundabouts she would just wait until the roundabout was clear (always happened quickly) befor emoving on to it. Can you imagine that now? If you don't react in an instant on some roundabouts, you might find yourself waiting there all day. Roads are tremendously busy, road signs have become plentiful and there are more cars on the road than ever.

Driving however, as I have said really is essential in this day and age. There are two parts to the driving test at present, the theory test and the practical test. The theory test is composed of a questions test (of which there are 50) and a hazard perception test, where you are played riving video clips and have to click a mouse every time you spot a developing hazard.

The Practical Test is the hard part, and for this you really do need to book some lessons with a driving instructor. If you're a quick learner, then I'm sure you could do it in 20 hours, but I think 40 or 50 hours plus practise is the average amount of time spend with an instructor. Driving lessons are likely to cost between £17 and £25 an hour, with a discount often being applied if blocks of lessons are booked at the same time. My advise is made sure you get an instructor who is helping you, if you're finding an instructor a struggle, then don't be afraid to switch.

Sooner or later you'll be ready to take the practical test, which really isn't all that bad, certainly not impossible. I wouldn't say that I'm a natural driver, but I still passed first time. Just be calm and collected, remember what you have learnt and do not panic. If you know you have made a mistake, try to move on from it instead of letting it bring down your performance.

Other than that - Good luck!

Summary: In my books, learning to drive is essential.