It’s no secret that learning to drive can be a daunting task. It takes years of practice for many people before they feel comfortable behind the wheel. But for those who are determined to get their license as soon as possible, 20 driving lessons may be all that’s needed. So where should you be after completing your 20th lesson?
- How Many Driving Lessons Do I Need To Pass My Test?
- Should I Complete Intensive Driving Course?
- How Can I Learn To Drive Faster As a Young Driver?
- 1. Get Your Provisional Driving Licence
- 2. Start Your Driving Lessons
- 3. Book Your Theory Test
- 4. Book Driving Test Early
- 5. Practice and Be Ready For Your Test
- How Often Do You Need To Have Driving Lessons To Pass Your Test?
- Where Should I Be After 20 Driving Lessons?
- How Do You Choose The Best Driving Instructor To Pass Your Test?
- Top 14 Tips To Pass Your Driving Test First Time
- 1. Practice Makes Close To Perfect
- 2. Get Plenty Of Rest
- 3. Be Early For Your Test
- 4. Listen To Your Instructor
- 5. Stay Calm
- 6. Follow The Rules Of The Road
- 7. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
- 8. Signal When Changing Lanes
- 9. Use Your Mirrors
- 10. Parallel Park Correctly
- 11. Use Same Vehicle For Test
- 12. Complete Test In Your Area
- 13. Check Tire Pressure & Fluids
- 14. Be Prepared To Reverse
- How Much Should I Pay For Driving Lessons?
- How To book Your Driving Theory Test and How Much Will It Cost?
- Should I Learn In a Manual or an Automatic?
How Many Driving Lessons Do I Need To Pass My Test?
Every person is different and the length it time it takes to be competent at driving will vary from individual to individual. However, as a general guide, most learner drivers should be able to pass their test after completing around 20 driving lessons with their chosen driving school.
On average it takes learners between 25 – 50 hours of practice to be ready to pass their driving test.
The more time you spend practising, the more confident you’ll feel behind the wheel. And once you’ve reached the required standard, booking your driving test is simply a case of finding a date that suits you.
Of course, the number of lessons you’ll need also depends on other factors such as how frequently you’re able to practice and your natural aptitude for driving. If you’re someone who is able to pick things up quickly, you may find that you only need a handful of extra lessons before taking your practical test. Alternatively, if you’re unable to practice very often or struggle with coordination, it may take a little longer before you’re ready.
The best way to gauge your progress is by speaking with your approved driving instructor and getting their professional opinion on whether or not you’re ready.
Should I Complete Intensive Driving Course?
As the name suggests, an intensive driving course is a concentrated period of driving lessons, designed to help you pass your test in a shorter space of time. But is an intensive driving course right for you?
There are pros and cons to taking an intensive driving course. On the plus side, if you’re struggling to find the time to fit regular driving lessons around work or other commitments, an intensive course can be a great way to get all your hours in quickly.
Intensive courses can also be useful if you’re struggling with a particular aspect of your driving – such as parking or reversing – and need some extra help getting it up to scratch.
On the downside, intensive courses can be expensive, and they’re not always the best option if you’re a complete beginner. Most intensive driving tests will be between £1000 – £2800 and focused in a short time period. If you’ve only just started learning to drive, you might benefit from a more gradual approach, with regular lessons spread out over a longer period of time.
Give yourself time to build a good understanding and learn your skills at the right pace, sometimes too much in such a small time is a bad thing.
How Can I Learn To Drive Faster As a Young Driver?
Lets take a look at 5 quickfire tips that can help you learn to driver faster:
1. Get Your Provisional Driving Licence
As soon as you hit 15 years and 9 months old obtain your driving licence on the government website. The cost is £34 to complete the application online.
2. Start Your Driving Lessons
As discussed above, you can complete an intensive driving course to learn how to drive as fast as possible. Once you hit 17 years old you can start driving lessons.
3. Book Your Theory Test
While you are completing your driving lessons you need to book a theory test to ensure you tick it off before booking a practical driving test.
4. Book Driving Test Early
Seasonal fluctuations in demand for driving lessons are to be expected, so plan ahead of time and book your driving test early. This not only helps you set a deadline, but it’s also useful when it comes to focusing on your practice.
5. Practice and Be Ready For Your Test
The most important factor is to be confident and ready for your test. Make sure you have plenty of practice in a variety of conditions – including during the day and at night, in good weather and bad. Preperation is key and your driving instructor will focus on ensuring you are ready for test conditions.
How Often Do You Need To Have Driving Lessons To Pass Your Test?
If you dont have your own vehicle to practice in, its generally recommended to have at least one driving lesson per week. This way, you can keep your skills sharp and be ready for your test when the time comes.
Of course, the more lessons you have, the better prepared you’ll be. But ultimately, it’s up to you and your instructor to decide how often you need to meet.
Where Should I Be After 20 Driving Lessons?
The first 2 – 5 lessons will be spent learning the fundamentals of driving and will be based on quiet roads, once you’ve gained confidence you’ll be on more busier roads.
After that, you’ll spend the next 5 lessons developing your abilities and training your body to enhance your muscle memory on the road.
The final ten lessons will be used to polish up on your consistency and ensure that you’ve mastered all of the skills necessary to pass your final test.
Assuming you’ve been taking one lesson per week, by the end of your 20th lesson you should be able to:
-Start and stop the car smoothly
-Drive in a straight line without veering off course
-Change gears correctly
-Make turns safely and confidently
-Parallel park and reverse into a parking space
-Stop at traffic lights and give way correctly
-Recognize and respond to road signs
-Drive at night
-Understand and follow the Highway Code
If you’re able to do all of the above, you’re well on your way to becoming a safe and responsible driver. Of course, every learner is different and some may need more than 20 lessons before they’re ready for their driving test.
Always take advice from your driving instructor and listen to your gut – if you don’t feel ready to take the test, it’s better to wait a little longer and build up your skills than to rush into it and risk failing.
We believe that frequent practice for a young driver is key to build confidence and increase your driving ability. Because in the long run, steady progress may save money because you will pass and become an independent driver on your first test.
How Do You Choose The Best Driving Instructor To Pass Your Test?
When you are ready to start learning to drive, the first thing you need to do is find a driving instructor. But with so many instructors out there, how do you know who will be the best one for you?
Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right instructor:
-Are they experienced? How long have they been teaching?
-Do they have good reviews from past students?
-What kind of car do they use for lessons? Is it an automatic or manual transmission?
-What is their personality like? Do they seem patient and calm, or impatient and easily agitated?
– How much do they charge per lesson? Are there any discounts or promotions available?
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should be able to narrow down your options and choose the best driving instructor for you.
Top 14 Tips To Pass Your Driving Test First Time
1. Practice Makes Close To Perfect
The more time you spend behind the wheel, the better prepared you’ll be for your test as a learner driver. Make sure you practice in a variety of conditions – including during the day and at night, in good weather and bad. You should also take private practice if you have a vehicle and your family member with a full licence to drive with you.
2. Get Plenty Of Rest
A tired driver is a dangerous driver. On the day of your test, make sure you’re well rested so that you can concentrate fully on the task at hand and be test ready.
3. Be Early For Your Test
There’s nothing worse than being rushed and stressed out when taking your driving test. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early so that you have time to relax and focus on what you need to do.
4. Listen To Your Instructor
Your driving instructor knows what they’re talking about, so make sure you listen carefully to their advice. They’ll be able to help you identify any areas that need improvement before your test.
The most important thing is to feel confident in your ability to drive to have a higher chance of passing.
5. Stay Calm
Getting nervous is natural, but it’s important to stay calm during your test. If you make a mistake, don’t dwell on it – just focus on the rest of the drive and finish strong.
Use breathing techniques to stay on top of your nerves, when we are nervous or stressed we breath less and
6. Follow The Rules Of The Road
This one should be obvious, but make sure you follow all the rules of the road during your test. This includes obeying speed limits, coming to a complete stop at red lights, and using turn signals when changing lanes.
7. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Pay attention to other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists around you. Anticipate their movements and be prepared to react accordingly.
8. Signal When Changing Lanes
Use your turn signal whenever you change lanes or make a turn. This will let other drivers know what you’re doing and help them to avoid any potential accidents.
9. Use Your Mirrors
Make sure you check your mirrors regularly while driving. This will help you stay aware of what’s going on around you and make necessary adjustments to your driving accordingly.
10. Parallel Park Correctly
If you’re asked to parallel park during your test, make sure you do it correctly! Follow the instructions of your instructor and take your time so that you don’t damage the car.
11. Use Same Vehicle For Test
If you can, try to use the same vehicle for your driving test that you’ve been practicing in. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident behind the wheel on test day.
12. Complete Test In Your Area
Book your driving test in your local area, try to take your driving test in a nearby town or city and make sure you are aware of the test route. This will give you more experience driving in different conditions and help you to be prepared for anything on test day.
13. Check Tire Pressure & Fluids
Before starting your drive, make sure to check the tire pressure and all fluid levels in the car. This will help avoid any potential problems during your test.
14. Be Prepared To Reverse
You may be asked to reverse during your driving test, so make sure you’re comfortable doing this before the big day. Practice in an empty parking lot so that you can get a feel for the maneuver.
How Much Should I Pay For Driving Lessons?
This can vary depending on where you live, how often you have lessons, and the quality of the instructor.
In general, driving lessons cost between £15 and £45 per hour. Its always good to look for a package deal to reduce your costs and ensure you are driving consistently on the roads.
You should have a provisional driving licence to begin your driving lessons and ensure you choose a fully qualified driving instructor who has the ability for patience so you can pass on your first attempt.
How To book Your Driving Theory Test and How Much Will It Cost?
You will need to book your driving theory test in advance. You can do this online through the government website. The cost of the test for new drivers is £23 for cars and motorbikes, and £35 for lorries and buses.
After you have passed your driving theory you can book your practical driving test online. The cost is between £62 -£75 depending on the specific day
Should I Learn In a Manual or an Automatic?
If you pass your test in a manual then you will be able to drive both manual and automatic vehicles. If you pass in an automatic then you will only be able to drive automatics.
Most people choose to learn in a manual as it gives you more control of the car and can be helpful in certain driving situations. However, its ultimately up to you which type of car you learn in.
Driving lessons are so expensive! need to pass, thanks for the tips
yeh i think its really important what driving instructor you have and how patient they are with you. getting lessons regularly saves you money too!
This article is really compelling, without doubt I just know that I will pass my driving test 1st time after reading this. Thank you so much SaveEarn.
Thank you for your kind words and good luck!
Daniel @ EarnSave