[woodhamboyluke]

I've had about 48 hours with my driving instructor and he says I should be ready to take my test soon, I've also had about 13 hours of driving with my Dad in his car. He thinks I need to change instructor because I'm not learning anything.

I honestly don't know why he thinks that, I personally think I've always driven fine with him, and whenever he moans it's because he tells me to turn somewhere just before the turn comes up, giving me no prior warning so I have to slam on the breaks. According to the DSA website the average is 47 hours of professional tuition and 20 hours of private. I haven't quite reached that stage yet but I'm close.

I have a feeling changing instructors now will just have a negative impact, I'll probably be taking my test in about 6 weeks, my Dad doesn't think I'm ready though and says that I struggle with parking and reversing, which frankly isn't true. I don't think he understands that you don't start a perfect driver, he's had years and years of practice whereas I've only had the equivalent of two days...

I really don't know what to do, I have no problem with my instructor, he's a nice guy but my Dad seems to think he's the Devil. He's the one paying for my lessons so I understand it's his decision to make, should I just let him do it or should I try to persuade him? I have one hour left on my set of lessons before we have to pay again and he wants to do it then...

It doesn't help that when I drive with my Dad his car is a lot bigger and harder to control.

[dreamer247]

48 hours is a lot of lessons I have had 7 and my instructor said that I can probably book my test soon to prepare the 8 week waiting list. Why have you had so many? Is there anyone else you can take you out instead of your dad?

[Michaelj]

You're old enough to drive and you're old enough to know what you think, you don't have to listen to your dad. But 48 hours is a lot of hours but everyone learns a different rate.. I'd say that the average time before instructors reccomend people to book test is 20-30 hours.. Perhaps your instructor isn't good or maybe you just find it harder than others? I've known people to take 200~ hours before passing.

[Emma:-)]

Its up to you. If you think want to stay with your instructor and think he is good and you are making progress with him, then stick with him. If you think that you would be better off going with someone else, then change instructors. Speak to your dad about it. Not everyone has the same amount of lessons, some people dont have to have many lessons, some have to have loads, it depends on the person.