[mdon]

ive been learning to drive since march and so far I've had around 45 hours of lessons,which I think is just ridiculous considering most people at my college are passing after 20 hours. I'm not even ready for booking my test yet even though there's a 6 week waiting list! I'm so frustrated because I wish I'd have changed a long time ago, I started having lessons that we're an hour and half long but after a few months I realised that it was a waste of time because I was just paying extra money when I wasn't learning any more than I would have done if I'd have been doing an hour so I asked to change to hour long lessons and he wasn't happy. I didn't start my manoeuvres until about July because all lesson id just drive on long straight roads and I still don't really practice them that much and if I do I only do it twice in a lesson. He also never reallyexplained things to me, he would just tell me what to do, for example he would tell me to put the clutch and brake on when stopping for ages, so when e stopped saying it I didn't know what to do because I was so used to him telling me. So i wasnt really learning, does that make sense? I know everyone blames their instructor, and I know everyone learns at different rates. I knew I'd need longer than others because I have no confidence and I'm not really quick at picking things up. everyone's telling me to change but is there any point this far in? I think I might just book my test anyway because I'm fed up now.

[Yawn11]

(Original post by mdon)
ive been learning to drive since march and so far I've had around 45 hours of lessons,which I think is just ridiculous considering most people at my college are passing after 20 hours. I'm not even ready for booking my test yet even though there's a 6 week waiting list! I'm so frustrated because I wish I'd have changed a long time ago, I started having lessons that we're an hour and half long but after a few months I realised that it was a waste of time because I was just paying extra money when I wasn't learning any more than I would have done if I'd have been doing an hour so I asked to change to hour long lessons and he wasn't happy. I didn't start my manoeuvres until about July because all lesson id just drive on long straight roads and I still don't really practice them that much and if I do I only do it twice in a lesson. He also never reallyexplained things to me, he would just tell me what to do, for example he would tell me to put the clutch and brake on when stopping for ages, so when e stopped saying it I didn't know what to do because I was so used to him telling me. So i wasnt really learning, does that make sense? I know everyone blames their instructor, and I know everyone learns at different rates. I knew I'd need longer than others because I have no confidence and I'm not really quick at picking things up. everyone's telling me to change but is there any point this far in? I think I might just book my test anyway because I'm fed up now.

If you're not happy, then change, it's that simple.

I don't know why people struggle with this concept, especially when it's their money they're spending. My first driving instructor was terrible, after 17hours of driving I hadn't done a manoeuvre or anything, but I paid for lessons in advance. After that I said I'd contact him again when I was ready to do lessons again and never did, I'm sure he got the message. My 2nd instructor had me doing more in the first two lessons than the whole 17hours with my old one.

Point is, it's your money, do whatever the **** you wanna do.

[LissRules!!]

If i were you i'd change. You're obviously not happy with your current instructor and the way he teaches you.

Just give a new one a call and see how it goes with them.

[robo donkey]

What they both said, if you consider changing, chances are you should, I have a new lady teaching me tomorrow. My previous guys attitude annoyed me no end and he was always commenting on women and stuff from the car, which made me really uncomfortable

[Advisor]

Mixed opinions spring to mind given what you said.

(Original post by mdon)
ive been learning to drive since march and so far I've had around 45 hours of lessons,which I think is just ridiculous considering most people at my college are passing after 20 hours.

It could be that the people at college are more competent, it could mean that they're lying about how many lessons they've really had, or it could mean that you're rubbish. It might even be a bit of all three, but the answer to your problems lies much deeper than arbitrary figures. Don't compare hours to your friends as there are so many variables and circumstances. Comparing just leads to competitiveness, disappointment and loss of self esteem.

I started having lessons that we're an hour and half long but after a few months I realised that it was a waste of time because I was just paying extra money when I wasn't learning any more than I would have done if I'd have been doing an hour

If you were leaning more than in an hour, that extra half would be worth its weight in gold. Any extra time spent gaining experience is priceless, but if you feel there are long stretches of unproductive time, then you're quite right to question your instructor's competence providing you're equally aware of your own weaknesses too.

I didn't start my manoeuvres until about July because all lesson id just drive on long straight roads

If you had real problems driving in a straight line (there's a small minority who still can't after weeks of lessons) then this may be justified if you're being kept fully up to date with your progress and this is regularly discussed and agreed with you. If this is not the case, then the spotlight is pointing once more at your instructor.

He also never reallyexplained things to me, he would just tell me what to do, for example he would tell me to put the clutch and brake on when stopping for ages, so when e stopped saying it I didn't know what to do because I was so used to him telling me. So i wasnt really learning,

Now we may be getting closer to the truth here, as what you've said sounds awfully familiar. If your instructor is over instructing and not adapting his "level of instruction" to suit your progress, then the results are what you are experiencing.

I knew I'd need longer than others because I have no confidence and I'm not really quick at picking things up.

This could explain why you need in excess of 45 hours while some talented people require fewer.

everyone's telling me to change but is there any point this far in?

There is every point. If you continue with a problem, you could end up having a hundred lessons with no end in sight. Again, this may be down to your aptitude, but any shortcomings in your instructor's abilities and methods will make the time-scale exponentially longer. It's harder to unlearn what's already been learned, so the longer you stick with a hopeless instructor, the more time and money you'll spend in the future paying a decent instructor to pick up the pieces. Even worse, you may end up failing a dozen tests, then end up giving up out of despair. Yet, had you made the switch sooner, a competent instructor could have saved you many unsuccessful test attempts and shown you the solution you've been looking for.

I think I might just book my test anyway because I'm fed up now.

Don't do that. If you're not ready and you know it, you'll just fail, waste £62 for nothing, as well as bumping up the waiting list unnecessarily for those who are ready. You need to nip the cause of the problem in the bud before even thinking of any end result.

Your best course of action is to get a second opinion from a different instructor and see how much you learn in another 90 minute lesson. If you come away from the lesson feeling you're learned more than in 45 hours with the other guy, then it's time to switch.

Hope this helps!

[Brap4k22DivideBy2]

crash his car

[LowRider]

(Original post by mdon)
ive been learning to drive since march and so far I've had around 45 hours of lessons,which I think is just ridiculous considering most people at my college are passing after 20 hours. I'm not even ready for booking my test yet even though there's a 6 week waiting list! I'm so frustrated because I wish I'd have changed a long time ago, I started having lessons that we're an hour and half long but after a few months I realised that it was a waste of time because I was just paying extra money when I wasn't learning any more than I would have done if I'd have been doing an hour so I asked to change to hour long lessons and he wasn't happy. I didn't start my manoeuvres until about July because all lesson id just drive on long straight roads and I still don't really practice them that much and if I do I only do it twice in a lesson. He also never reallyexplained things to me, he would just tell me what to do, for example he would tell me to put the clutch and brake on when stopping for ages, so when e stopped saying it I didn't know what to do because I was so used to him telling me. So i wasnt really learning, does that make sense? I know everyone blames their instructor, and I know everyone learns at different rates. I knew I'd need longer than others because I have no confidence and I'm not really quick at picking things up. everyone's telling me to change but is there any point this far in? I think I might just book my test anyway because I'm fed up now.

(Original post by Yawn11)
If you're not happy, then change, it's that simple.

I don't know why people struggle with this concept, especially when it's their money they're spending. My first driving instructor was terrible, after 17hours of driving I hadn't done a manoeuvre or anything, but I paid for lessons in advance. After that I said I'd contact him again when I was ready to do lessons again and never did, I'm sure he got the message. My 2nd instructor had me doing more in the first two lessons than the whole 17hours with my old one.

Point is, it's your money, do whatever the **** you wanna do.

My first driving instructor was not amazing he wasn't that bad and as he worked for the AA he would probably more likely to milk me as well. I ended up leaving after around 10 lessons and stopped learning for like a year. 2nd instructor was amazing pushed me and allowed me freedom to do what I wanted and passed with him after 10ish lessons.

It's risky paying up front to a new instructor without having had a tester lesson with them as you then feel locked in. Change instructor and then ask the new one to assess you to see where you are up too. Then agree to a X amount of lessons you are both happy you can get prepared and book the test. You can get tests which have been cancelled so it's worthwhile in checking frequently

[Cocklebur]

My driving instructor is my sister's partner, so he has to be nice to me He's said that quite a few people come to him after having bad experiences with other intructors, don't feel committed or guilty.
Perhaps you should ask your friends if they could recommend any instructors to you.

[Cherriesxo]

(Original post by Yawn11)
If you're not happy, then change, it's that simple.

I don't know why people struggle with this concept, especially when it's their money they're spending. My first driving instructor was terrible, after 17hours of driving I hadn't done a manoeuvre or anything, but I paid for lessons in advance. After that I said I'd contact him again when I was ready to do lessons again and never did, I'm sure he got the message. My 2nd instructor had me doing more in the first two lessons than the whole 17hours with my old one.

Point is, it's your money, do whatever the **** you wanna do.

Just out of interest, with your new instructor how many lessons did you do before doing manoeuvres? I'm a bit concerned because I've had approx 12/14 hours worth of lessons and haven't done any manoevres or anything. Only just started roundabouts.

[Yawn11]

(Original post by Cherriesxo)
Just out of interest, with your new instructor how many lessons did you do before doing manoeuvres? I'm a bit concerned because I've had approx 12/14 hours worth of lessons and haven't done any manoevres or anything. Only just started roundabouts.

Well that's not comparable tbh. Cause although I hadn't driven for a year when I got my new instructor, I still had enough experience to get things moving quickly.

[Cherriesxo]

(Original post by Yawn11)
Well that's not comparable tbh. Cause although I hadn't driven for a year when I got my new instructor, I still had enough experience to get things moving quickly.

Oh okay, thanks for responding anyway I'm just worried that I'm not learning as much as I should, and I don't think I'm a particularly bad driver.

[fuze-mo25]

My friend had 12 n passed ... 1 off my friends took 28 lessons n we insult him for taking too many ... I personally don't plan on taking more than 15 ... Moral of the story is your definately taking too much

[RDavies93]

(Original post by mdon)
ive been learning to drive since march and so far I've had around 45 hours of lessons,which I think is just ridiculous considering most people at my college are passing after 20 hours. I'm not even ready for booking my test yet even though there's a 6 week waiting list! I'm so frustrated because I wish I'd have changed a long time ago, I started having lessons that we're an hour and half long but after a few months I realised that it was a waste of time because I was just paying extra money when I wasn't learning any more than I would have done if I'd have been doing an hour so I asked to change to hour long lessons and he wasn't happy. I didn't start my manoeuvres until about July because all lesson id just drive on long straight roads and I still don't really practice them that much and if I do I only do it twice in a lesson. He also never reallyexplained things to me, he would just tell me what to do, for example he would tell me to put the clutch and brake on when stopping for ages, so when e stopped saying it I didn't know what to do because I was so used to him telling me. So i wasnt really learning, does that make sense? I know everyone blames their instructor, and I know everyone learns at different rates. I knew I'd need longer than others because I have no confidence and I'm not really quick at picking things up. everyone's telling me to change but is there any point this far in? I think I might just book my test anyway because I'm fed up now.

With my first instructor, i had about 10 lessons, which consister of him driving me to a car park, letting me drive around the car park (making only left turns?!) and then driving me home. I thought I must just be really crap, and had no confidence at all. Anyway, got ill took a few weeks off, decided Id try another instructor. This one drove me just up the road to a layby. He then let me drive around busy main roads and in my first lesson with him, I did a 3 point turn. 3 lessons in he told me to book my test.
Point is Changing instructor was the best thing i ever did!! You may be really far into your lessons, but think how many more youre going to have to have if it carries on like this.

[Millymoo]

(Original post by Cherriesxo)
Just out of interest, with your new instructor how many lessons did you do before doing manoeuvres? I'm a bit concerned because I've had approx 12/14 hours worth of lessons and haven't done any manoevres or anything. Only just started roundabouts.

I did my first manoeuvre on my 2nd lesson!

[*Hakz*]

(Original post by Millymoo)
I did my first manoeuvre on my 2nd lesson!

Lucky you. Don't think they'll let me do that in my 2nd lesson sadly enough

[Cherriesxo]

(Original post by Millymoo)
I did my first manoeuvre on my 2nd lesson!

Either my driving instructor REALLY doesn't trust me, or he's taking the piss. What manoevre did you do just out of interest??

[Millymoo]

(Original post by Cherriesxo)
Either my driving instructor REALLY doesn't trust me, or he's taking the piss. What manoevre did you do just out of interest??

Haha, it was just a 3-point turn but then on my 4th lesson I went onto reversing round a corner

[smashah]

yes.

[mdon]

Thanks guys I haven't been on here in a while but I did change my instructor a few weeks ago and I'm so glad I did, I'm just annoyed I didn't go with him in the first place because he's really cheap compared to others and average time to pass with him is 3-4 months and most pass 1st time. i feel so much happier now I don't know why I was worrying over it before. The way I see it it's my money and my other instructor took lots of it

[IndiaCaitlinn]

Just change otherwise you're wasting your money.
My boyfriends brother did an intensive course with a crap instructor and failed his test, that wasted about £500.
He then took 10 hours with another instructor and passed because the instructor was much better.